[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15190]
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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
36 CFR Part 1280
RIN 3095-AB22
NARA Facilities; Hours of Operation for the Exhibition Hall
AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration proposes to
modify the extended hours that the Exhibition Hall in the National
Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open from April 1 through the
Friday before Memorial Day. The Exhibition Hall would close at 7 p.m.
instead of 9 p.m. during this period. We are proposing to limit the
extended hours during this period to be more cost-effective and because
this is when attendance is the lightest. NARA's Exhibition Hall would
still have the longest hours of any Washington museum on the National
Mall. The proposed change does not affect the research room hours
stated in part 1253 in any manner. This proposed rule affects the
public.
DATES: Comments are due by August 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Regulation Comments Desk (NPOL),
Room 4100, Policy and Communications Staff, National Archives and
Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
They may be faxed to 301-837-0319. Electronic comments may be submitted
through Regulations.gov. You may also comment via e-mail to
[email protected]. Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
the preamble for additional information on e-mail submissions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Richardson at telephone number
301-837-2902, or fax number 301-837-0319.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA's Exhibition Hall, which contains the
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other exhibits, is
closed for renovation. When it reopens, we are proposing to close it at
7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., from April 1 through the Friday before
Memorial Day. Before renovation, the Exhibition Hall closed at 9 p.m.
during this period. The closing times for the remainder of the months
is unchanged. The Exhibition Hall opens at 10 a.m. the entire year and
this also remains unchanged.
On September 18, 2003, the first phase of the new National Archives
Experience, the rededicated ``Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom'',
opens to the general public. Over the course of the year that follows,
three additional galleries and a new theater will open as well. There
will be additional costs for providing security, maintenance, and
visitor services as public spaces are expanded more than three-fold.
Building occupation during the extended hours of 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
is not typically as heavy as during daytime hours, particularly in the
spring when all other museums on the National Mall close at 5:30 p.m.
Given increased costs of operation, a careful review was made of
whether it was prudent to keep the extended hours.
A distinction was made between the period from April 1 to Memorial
Day weekend, and the period from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day,
because during the latter period we have more family visitors and some
Mall museums have extended evening hours.
This proposed rule does not affect the research room hours at the
National Archives Building in Washington, DC, stated in part 1253.
If you submit comments via e-mail, please submit the comments
within the body of your email message or attachment avoiding the use of
any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: 3095-AB22'' and
your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not
receive a confirmation that we have received your email message,
contact the Regulation Comment Desk at 301-837-2902.
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office
of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, I certify that this proposed rule will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This regulation does
not have any federalism implications.
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1280
Federal buildings and facilities.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend
part 1280 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter XII, as
follows:
PART 1280--PUBLIC USE OF NARA FACILITIES
1. The authority citation for part 1280 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2104(a).
2. Revise Sec. 1280.62 to read as follows:
Sec. 1280.62 When is the Exhibition Hall open?
(a) The Exhibition Hall is open to the public during the following
hours:
(1) The day after Labor Day through March 31, hours are 10 a.m. to
5:30 p.m.
(2) April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day, hours are 10
a.m. to 7 p.m.
(3) Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, hours are 10 a.m. to 9
p.m.
(b) The Archivist of the United States reserves the authority to
close the Exhibition Hall to the public at any time for special events
or other purposes. The building is closed on December 25.
Dated: June 10, 2003.
Lewis J. Bellardo,
Deputy Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 03-15190 Filed 6-16-03; 8:45 am]
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