[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 154 (Friday, August 8, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46215-46230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18412]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

36 CFR Part 7

RIN 1024-AD71


Special Regulation: Areas of the National Park System, National 
Capital Region

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to amend 
regulations governing viewing of the Inaugural parade by the public, 
demonstrators, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The proposed 
rule would extend the duration and extent of demonstrations and special 
events in Washington, DC, including the Inaugural, the Lighting of the 
National Christmas Tree and Christmas Pathway of Peace, the Cherry 
Blossom Festival, the Fourth of July Celebration, and the Festival of 
American Folklife.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by Regulatory 
Information Number 1024-AD71, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail or hand delivery: National Park Service, Regional 
Director, Division of Park Programs, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Room 128, 
Washington, DC 20242.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Park Service, National 
Capital Region, Division of Park Programs, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Room 
128, Washington, DC 20242. Telephone: (202) 619-7275. Fax: (202) 401-
2430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 20, 2008, the District Court in ANSWER Coalition v. 
Kempthorne, 537 F.Supp.2d 183 (D.D.C. March 20, 2008) found that the 
National Park Service's practice and procedure of submitting an 
application on behalf of the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) 
violated its regulations with respect to the duration of special events 
and the related timing of the submission of the application. The Court 
stated, however, that ``[i]f the government thinks it appropriate to 
lengthen the amount of time for which permits may be granted under the 
regulations--perhaps even only for the Inauguration period and no 
other--the government may explicitly amend the regulations that apply 
to all permit applicants.'' 537 F.Supp.2d at 203-204.
    Pennsylvania Avenue is among the world's most famous streets and is 
located in the heart of the Nation's Capital. America's history has 
marched, paraded, promenaded, and protested its way up and down 
Pennsylvania Avenue. Areas must be available to the public as well as 
demonstrators to view the Inaugural parade. ``The Inauguration is not a 
private event.'' ANSWER Coalition v. Kempthorne, 2008 U.S. Dist. Lexis 
21443* 15 (emphasis in original) (referencing Mahoney v. Babbitt, 105 
F.3d at 1458 D.C. Cir. 1997). And the

[[Page 46216]]

First Amendment provides protection to demonstrators who desire to `` 
`interject' their own convictions and beliefs [into the event while 
viewing the Inaugural parade]. * * * If the free speech clause of the 
First Amendment does not protect the right of citizens to `interject' 
their own convictions and beliefs into a public event on a public forum 
then it is difficult to understand why the Framers bothered including 
it at all.'' Mahoney v. Babbitt, 105 F.3d at 1458-59.
    The proposed rule would lengthen the duration of any permit 
associated with Inauguration Day activities from 21 days to the period 
of time between October 24 through April 1. It would also open the 
majority of Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park to the public 
and demonstrators for the Inaugural parade, regardless of viewpoint or 
message. In addition, the proposed rule would extend the duration of 
time that any permit may be issued for demonstrations or special events 
on the Ellipse and other designated park areas from three weeks to four 
months.
    With respect to the Inaugural parade, the proposed rule would 
create a regulatory priority use for limited, designated park areas for 
the PIC, the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, and the Architect of the 
Capitol or the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, 
entities whose role in the Inauguration has traditionally necessitated 
such access. These limited park areas along the Inaugural route on 
Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd to 15th Streets are designated in the 
attached maps. The designated areas would be relatively small, and 
leave the majority of park areas along the parade route available to 
the public and demonstrators regardless of viewpoint or message. This 
allocation of space would result in a fair and equitable distribution 
of park areas, consistent with the First Amendment and the Presidential 
Inaugural Ceremonies Act.
    The D.C. Circuit's opinion in A Quaker Action Group v. Morton, 516 
F.2d 717 (D.C. Cir. 1975), provided the original basis for NPS's 
priority use regulations. There, the Court of Appeals said that `` * * 
* if the Park Service wishes to enforce the regulations regarding a 
permit for public gatherings in the regulated areas, it must require a 
permit for every public gathering in those areas. * * * or, if the Park 
Service wishes, it could retain a system of NPS events, reserve time 
in, say, Lafayette Park, and even publish advance schedules.'' 516 F.2d 
at 729 (emphasis in original).
    Below is additional information with regard to how the proposed 
rule would address the Inauguration and other National Celebration 
Events.

Inauguration

    The proposed rule would amend the authorities section to include 
the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies Act, 36 U.S.C. 501-511, as well 
as other non-Inaugural authorities now recodified as D.C. Code 10-137 
(2001) and D.C. Code 50-2201.07 (2001). As noted above, the proposed 
rule would designate limited park areas for priority use by the PIC, 
the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, and the Architect of the Capitol 
or the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. It would 
also provide a fixed, reasonable time period deemed necessary for the 
extensive set-up and take-down of Inaugural-related construction by the 
PIC. And the proposed rule would leave most of Pennsylvania Avenue 
National Historic Park open to the public and demonstrators regardless 
of viewpoint or message.
    The proposed rule would retain the existing regulatory preference 
for the PIC for the White House sidewalk and all but the northeast 
quadrant of Lafayette Park. The proposed rule would allocate to the 
public and demonstrators, however, most of Pennsylvania Avenue National 
Historic Park. Specifically, 7,024 linear feet or 70 percent of 
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park that abuts the street, which 
also comprises 625,882 square feet or 84 percent of Pennsylvania Avenue 
National Historic Park, would be open to the public and demonstrators. 
The proposed rule would thus reduce areas designated for PIC's 
bleachers on the parade route to 1,284 linear feet or 13 percent of 
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park that abuts the street, which 
also comprises 63,936 square feet or 9 percent of Pennsylvania Avenue 
National Historic Park. These allocations would both comport with the 
Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies Act, 36 U.S.C. 503(a), and respond to 
the question on this subject posed by the District Court in 
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition v. Kempthorne, 537 F.Supp.2d at 205-206.
    The proposed rule would amend existing regulations to allow 
structures within 50 feet of any Inaugural ceremony activity 
structures. The proposed rule would leave in place existing regulations 
that permit other demonstrations or special events in park areas during 
the National Celebration Events to the extent that they do not 
significantly interfere with these Events.
    In addition, the proposed rule would allow PIC to place portable 
public bathrooms at designated areas along the parade route. It would 
also designate the traditional areas necessary for the television and 
radio media, so that they can broadcast and report on the parade and 
related activities. The proposed rule would also designate the 
traditional areas necessary for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee 
for parade support structures used to help monitor and manage the 
parade itself. And the proposed rule would designate an area in front 
of the John A. Wilson Building for the District of Columbia's reviewing 
stand, and also designate areas for individuals with disabilities to 
view the parade.
    The spatial allocations under the proposed rule would include 
23,764 square feet or 3 percent of the Pennsylvania Avenue National 
Historic Park for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee parade control 
area, 1,346 square feet or less than 1 percent, of the park for the 
District of Columbia's Viewing Stand, 7,907 square feet or 1 percent of 
the park for the media area, and 456 square feet or less than 1 percent 
of the park for the parade announcer stands.
    The proposed rule would designate areas in Pennsylvania Avenue 
National Historic Park and Sherman Park for the PIC's use that could 
accommodate 24 bleachers and 8,790 ticket holders based on the PIC's 
2005 set-up. To ensure that all seats are used, the proposed rule would 
allow any member of the public to use a ticketed PIC bleacher seat, if 
it has not been claimed by the ticket holder ten minutes before the 
Inaugural Parade is scheduled to pass the bleacher's block. The 
proposed rule would not allocate to the PIC certain park areas that 
have been allocated to the PIC in past Inaugurals; in 2005, these areas 
contained 25 bleachers that could accommodate 11,344 ticket holders.
    The proposed rule would also create limited priority areas on the 
National Mall for members of the public and ticketed guests, for the 
placement of media stands, and for the assembly and staging of parade 
units, traditionally necessary aspects of the Inauguration. With regard 
to this last activity, the rule would allow the Armed Forces Inaugural 
Committee on Inauguration Day to assemble, stage, secure and weather-
protect the pre-Inaugural parade components and floats on the National 
Mall between 14th and 1st Streets. The proposed rule would also allow 
the Architect of the Capitol or the Joint Congressional Committee on 
Inaugural Ceremonies to site jumbotrons and sound towers so that the 
Joint Congressional Committee's ticketed,

[[Page 46217]]

standing room ticket holders can observe the Inaugural ceremony between 
4th and 1st Streets, and members of the general public between 14th and 
4th Streets. The proposed rule would allow a 150-by-200 foot area on 
the National Mall, just east of 7th Street, for the exclusive use of 
the PIC on Inauguration Day for television and radio media broadcasts 
on Inauguration Day.
    Inaugural-related construction is complex and extensive, and 
requires a series of permits. The proposed rule would set specific set-
up and take-down dates determined reasonably necessary for the erection 
and removal of the stands, bleachers, media and parade support 
structures in the various designated park areas. Set-up and take-down 
occurs from November 1 through March 1 for the White House sidewalk and 
Lafayette Park, December 7 through February 10 for Pennsylvania Avenue 
National Historic Park and Sherman Park, and January 6 through January 
30 for the National Mall between 14th and 1st Streets. Traditionally, 
set-ups and take-downs are done in stages, and an entire designated 
area may not be needed throughout the designated period. Accordingly, 
consistent with public safety, the portions of designated areas that 
are not immediately needed for set-up and take-down will remain open to 
the public and for demonstration activity.

Lighting of the National Christmas Tree and Christmas Pathway of Peace

    The proposed rule would change the name of the ``Christmas Pageant 
of Peace,'' one of the existing National Celebration Events, to the 
``Lighting of the National Christmas Tree and Christmas Pathway of 
Peace.'' This event would take place in the northern half of the oval 
portion of the Ellipse during the last four weeks in December. The 
designated time period for set-up and take-down would be October 1 
through February 1. This event provides the park visitor an opportunity 
to view the lighting of the National Christmas tree, attend musical 
presentations, and visit various seasonal displays.

Cherry Blossom Festival

    The proposed rule would more clearly define the park areas for the 
Cherry Blossom Festival, another existing National Celebration Event, 
and would extend the duration from six days to two weeks and designate 
an additional two-week period for set-up and take-down. The Cherry 
Blossom Festival would take place in the park areas adjacent to the 
Tidal Basin as well as the sidewalk areas on the Ellipse and the 
Washington Monument Grounds adjacent to Constitution Avenue between 
15th and 17th Streets, NW.

Fourth of July Celebration

    The proposed rule would designate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting 
Pool area for the staging and firing of this event's fireworks and 
establish a three week period for set-up and take-down.

Festival of American Folklife

    The proposed rule would designate an eight week period for the set-
up and take-down of this event.

Permit Applications

    The proposed rule would make explicit the long-standing NPS policy 
of not accepting permit applications for demonstrations and special 
events earlier than one year in advance of the proposed event. Event 
application dates (that include set-up and take-down time) must fall 
within this one-year time period. For example, NPS would accept on 
January 1, 2009 an application for the first week of January 2010, but 
would not accept on January 1, 2009 an application for the first week 
of January for the next three years, or for the first week of January 
and February 2010.
    On one occasion, the NPS received ten applications for the use of 
parkland at each Presidential Inauguration for the next forty years. In 
rejecting these applications, the NPS explained that it has an enormous 
task of maintaining Federal parkland for the millions of visitors and 
thousands of demonstrations and special events. Many applications 
propose activities that require extensive planning and coordination 
with the applicants and other affected agencies. By only accepting 
applications for proposed events that occur within one year, persons 
and groups are better able to determine the proposed event's true size 
and scope and the NPS is better able to determine whether it can 
reasonably be accommodated within the requested park area. This 
proposed rule reflecting longstanding policy would allow all persons 
and groups a timely, fair and equal opportunity to use parkland for 
demonstrations and special events and prevents its monopolization.

Forty-Five Day Comment Period

    Pursuant to 318 DM 5.4 A (1998), we are providing a 45-day comment 
period because this proposed rule requires timely action so that a 
final rule may become effective in time to govern the activities 
associated with the upcoming 2009 Inauguration. In addition, this 
schedule is necessary to allow for any judicial challenge to occur in a 
timely manner. We welcome all public comment, and will immediately 
provide a copy of this proposed rule to known interested parties, 
including the plaintiffs in ANSWER Coalition v. Kempthorne, No. 05-0071 
(D.D.C.) as well as any applicant who has sought a demonstration permit 
along the Inaugural parade route for the last three Inaugurations.

Compliance With Other Laws

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)

    This document is a significant rule and is subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866.
    (1) This rule will not have an effect of $100 million or more on 
the economy. It will not adversely affect in a material way the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities.
    (2) This rule will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise 
interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency.
    (3) This rule does not alter the budgetary effects of entitlements, 
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of 
their recipients.
    (4) OMB has determined that this rule raises novel legal or policy 
issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this document will 
not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    a. Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more.
    b. Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    c. Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million per 
year. The rule does not have a significant or

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unique effect on State, local, or tribal governments or the private 
sector.

Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, the rule does not have 
significant takings implications.

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the rule does not require 
the preparation of a federalism assessment.

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    This regulation meets the applicable standards set forth in 
Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice 
Reform.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This regulation requires information collection from 10 or more 
parties, which must be submitted for OMB approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act. However, these are not new collection requirements and, 
therefore, no additional request to OMB has been prepared. The 
information collection activities are necessary for the public to 
obtain benefits in the form of special park uses permits.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have analyzed this rule in accordance with the criteria of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) according to Departmental 
guidelines in 516 DM 6 (49 FR 21438), to assess the impact of any 
Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment, health, and safety. We have determined that the proposed 
rule is categorically excluded under 516 DM 6, Appendix 7.4(10), 
insofar as it is a modification of existing NPS regulations that does 
not increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature and 
character of the area or causing physical damage to it, or introduce 
incompatible uses which might compromise the nature and characteristics 
of the area or cause physical damage to it, or cause conflict with 
adjacent ownerships or land uses, or cause a nuisance to adjacent 
owners or occupants.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175 ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249), the 
President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, ``Government-to-Government 
Relations with Native American Tribal Governments'' (59 FR 22961), and 
512 DM 2, the Department will consult with federally recognized tribal 
governments throughout the development of the regulation to jointly 
evaluate and address the potential effects, if any, of the proposed 
regulatory action.

Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.

Public Participation

    You may submit comments online at: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. You may also mail or 
hand deliver comments to: National Park Service, Regional Director, 
National Capital Region, Division of Park Programs, 1100 Ohio Drive, 
SW., Room 128, Washington, DC 20242.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7

    National parks, Special events.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the National Park Service 
proposes to amend 36 CFR part 7 as set forth below:

PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

    1. The authority citation for part 7 is amended to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 460(q), 462(k); Sec. 7.96 also 
issued under 36 U.S.C. 501-511, D.C. Code 10-137 (2001) and D.C. 
Code 50-2201.07 (2001).

    2. Revise Sec.  7.96(g)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  7.96  National Capital Region.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (4) Permit processing. (i) NPS processes permit applications for 
demonstrations and special events in order of receipt. NPS will not 
accept applications more than one year in advance of a proposed 
continuous event (including set-up time, if any). Use of a particular 
area is allocated in order of receipt of fully executed applications, 
subject to the limitations in this section.
    (ii) Specific national celebration events have priority use of 
particular park areas as shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Has priority use of
  The following event . . .   the following area .    At the following
                                       . .               time . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Lighting of the National  northern half of the  the last four weeks
 Christmas Tree and            oval portion of the   in December as well
 Christmas Pathway of Peace.   Ellipse.              as necessary set-up
                                                     and take-down
                                                     between October 1
                                                     through February 1.
(B) Cherry Blossom Festival.  park areas adjacent   two weeks usually in
                               to the Tidal Basin    late March or early
                               and the sidewalk      April as well as
                               areas adjacent to     the necessary set-
                               Constitution Avenue   up and take-down
                               between 15th & 17th   totaling two weeks.
                               Streets, NW.
(C) Fourth of July            Washington Monument   time required for
 Celebration.                  Grounds and the       necessary staging
                               Lincoln Memorial      and fireworks set-
                               Reflecting Pool       up and take-down,
                               area.                 totaling three
                                                     weeks in late June
                                                     and early July.

[[Page 46219]]

 
(D) Festival of American      the area bounded on   for a two-week
 Folklife.                     the south by          period in
                               Jefferson Drive,      approximately late
                               NW; on the north by   June and early July
                               Madison Drive, NW;    as well as the
                               on the east by 7th    necessary set-up
                               Street, NW; on the    and take-down
                               west by 14th          totaling eight
                               Street, NW.           weeks.
(E) Columbus Day              at the Columbus       on Columbus Day.
 Commemorative Wreath-Laying.  statue on the Union
                               Plaza.
(F) Presidential Inaugural    see paragraph         see paragraph
 Ceremonies.                   (g)(4)(iii) of this   (g)(4)(iii) of this
                               section.              section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) In connection with Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies the 
following areas are reserved for priority use as set forth in this 
paragraph.
    (A) The White House sidewalk and Lafayette Park, exclusive of the 
northeast quadrant for the exclusive use of the Inaugural Committee on 
Inauguration Day.
    (B) Portions of Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park and 
Sherman Park, as designated in the maps included in paragraph 
(g)(4)(iii)(E) of this section, for the exclusive use of the Inaugural 
Committee on Inauguration Day for:
    (1) Ticketed bleachers viewing and access areas, except that 
members of the public may use a ticketed bleacher seat that has not 
been claimed by the ticket holder 10 minutes before the Inaugural 
Parade is scheduled to pass the bleacher's block;
    (2) Portable toilets, except that they will be available to the 
public;
    (3) Television and radio media and Armed Forces Inaugural Committee 
parade support structures;
    (4) The area in front of the John A. Wilson Building for the 
District of Columbia reviewing stand;
    (5) Viewing areas designated for individuals with disabilities, 
except that they will be available to any disabled persons.
    (C) The area of the National Mall between 14th and 1st Streets, for 
the exclusive use of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee on 
Inauguration Day for the assembly, staging, security and weather 
protection of the pre-Inaugural parade components and floats on 
Inauguration Day, except for:
    (1) The placement of jumbotrons and sound towers by the Architect 
of the Capitol or the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural 
Ceremonies so that the Inaugural ceremony may be observed by the Joint 
Congressional Committee's ticketed standing room ticket holders between 
4th and 1st Streets and the general public from 7th and 4th Streets; 
and
    (2) A 150-foot-by-200-foot area on the National Mall just east of 
14th Street, for the exclusive use of the Inaugural Committee for 
television and radio media broadcasts on Inauguration Day.
    (D) The Inaugural Committee may also use portions of its designated 
areas reasonably necessary for setting up and taking down stands, 
bleachers, media and parade support structures as shown in the 
following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The Inaugural Committee may
 use the following area . . .      During the following period . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The White House sidewalk   November 1 through March 1.
 and Lafayette Park.
(2) Pennsylvania Avenue        December 7 through February 10.
 National Historic Park and
 Sherman Park.
(3) The National Mall between  January 6 through January 30.
 14th and 1st Streets.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (E) Maps of designated portions of Pennsylvania Avenue National 
Historic Park and Sherman Park referred to in paragraph (g)(4)(iii)(B) 
of this section are as follows:
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    (iv) Other demonstrations or special events are permitted in park 
areas under permit for the National Celebration Events listed in 
paragraph (g)(4)(ii) of this section to the extent that they do not 
significantly interfere with the National Celebration Events. Except 
for Inaugural ceremony activities, no activity containing structures is 
permitted closer than 50 feet to another activity containing structures 
without the mutual consent of the sponsors of those activities.
    (v) NPS will issue a permit for a demonstration on the White House 
sidewalk and in Lafayette Park at the same time only if the 
requirements of this paragraph are met. The organization, group, or 
other sponsor of the demonstration must undertake in good faith all 
reasonable action, including the provision of sufficient marshals, to 
ensure that the sponsor:
    (A) Maintains good order and self-discipline in conducting the 
demonstration and any necessary movement of persons; and
    (B) Observes the numerical limitations and waiver provisions 
described in paragraphs (g)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (vi) NPS will issue permits authorizing demonstrations or special 
events for the periods shown in the following table. NPS may extend 
these periods for demonstrations only, unless another application 
requests use of the particular area and that application precludes 
double occupancy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Permit validity
           Park area             Permit validity    period for Inaugural
                                      period             activities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) White House area, except    7 days...........  Between October 24
 the Ellipse.                                       through April 1 for
                                                    reasonable and
                                                    necessary set-up and
                                                    take-down activities
                                                    for the White House
                                                    Sidewalk and
                                                    Lafayette Park.
(B) The Ellipse and all other   4 months.........  Between December 7
 park areas.                                        through February 10
                                                    for reasonable and
                                                    necessary set-up and
                                                    take-down activities
                                                    for Pennsylvania
                                                    Avenue National
                                                    Historic Park and
                                                    Sherman Park.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Dated: July 21, 2008.
Lyle Laverty,
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. E8-18412 Filed 8-7-08; 8:45 am]
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