Regulations last checked for updates: Jun 02, 2024

Title 7 - Agriculture last revised: Nov 16, 2024
§ 500.1 - General.

The rules and regulations in this part apply to the buildings and grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA), Washington, DC, and to all persons entering in or on such property. The Administrator, General Services Administration, has delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture, with authority to further delegate, the authority to make all the needful rules and regulations for the protection of the buildings and grounds of the USNA (34 FR 6406). The Secretary of Agriculture has in turn delegated such authority to the Administrator, Agricultural Research Service (34 FR 7389). The rules and regulations in this part are issued pursuant to such delegations.

§ 500.2 - Recording presence.

Admission to the USNA during periods when it is closed to the public will be limited to authorized individuals who may be required to sign the register or display identification documents when requested by the Security Staff, or other authorized individuals.

§ 500.3 - Preservation of property.

(a) While at the USNA, it is unlawful to:

(1) Willfully destroy, damage, or remove USNA property or any part thereof;

(2) Set or maintain any open fire on the property of the USNA; however, the use of small candles may be approved at the discretion of the Director, USNA; or

(3) Apply any type of insecticide or herbicide on the grounds of the USNA, except for USNA employees in the course of their official duties or other persons authorized by the Director, USNA.

(b) Persons not employed by USNA are not permitted to bring biological agents of any kind, including but not limited to disease and pest agents of plants, onto the property without written permission of the Director, USNA.

§ 500.4 - Conformity with signs and emergency directions.

Persons in and on property of the USNA shall comply with official signs of prohibitory or directive nature and with the directions of authorized individuals.

§ 500.5 - Nuisances.

(a) The use of loud, abusive, or otherwise improper language; unwarranted loitering, sleeping, or assembly; the creation of any hazard to persons or things; improper disposal of rubbish; spitting; prurient prying; the commission of any obscene or indecent act, or any other unseemly or disorderly conduct; throwing articles of any kind from a building, and climbing upon any part of a building is prohibited.

(b) Playing of music or creation of other noises of a decibel level high enough to be heard outside of the USNA is prohibited.

§ 500.6 - Gambling.

Participating in games for money or other personal property, or the operation of gambling devices, the conduct of a lottery or pool, or the selling or purchasing of numbers tickets, in or on USNA property, is prohibited.

§ 500.7 - Intoxicating beverages and narcotics.

(a) Entering USNA property or the operation of a motor vehicle thereon, by a person under the influence of intoxicating beverages or a narcotic drug, is prohibited.

(b) Except as provided in subpart B of this part, possession of or consumption of intoxicating beverages on USNA property is prohibited.

(c) The sale of alcoholic beverages on the grounds of the USNA is prohibited.

(d) The possession of or use of narcotic drugs on the grounds of the USNA is prohibited.

§ 500.8 - Soliciting, vending, debt collection, and distribution of handbills.

(a) The following activities are prohibited on USNA grounds:

(1) Soliciting of alms or contributions;

(2) Display or distribution of commercial advertising;

(3) Collecting private debts;

(4) Campaigning for election to any office;

(5) Soliciting and vending for commercial purposes (including, but not limited to, the vending of newspapers and other publications);

(6) Soliciting signatures on petitions, polls, or surveys (except as authorized by the USNA); and

(7) Impeding ingress to or egress from the USNA.

(b) Distribution to USNA general public visitors of material such as pamphlets, handbills, and flyers is prohibited without prior approval of the Director, USNA.

(c) The prohibitions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to:

(1) Commercial or nonprofit activities performed under contract or concession with the USNA or pursuant to the provisions of the Randolph Sheppard Act;

(2) The solicitation of USNA personnel for contributions for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC);

(3) National or local drives for funds for welfare, health, and other purposes sponsored or approved by the Agricultural Research Service; or

(4) Personal notices posted by employees on authorized bulletin boards.

§ 500.9 - Photographs for news or advertising.

Photographs for news purposes may be taken at the USNA without prior permission. Photographs for advertising and other commercial purposes may be taken, but only with the prior approval of the Director, USNA and fees may be charged pursuant to § 500.23.

§ 500.10 - Pets.

Pets brought upon USNA property must have proper vaccinations and, except assistance trained animals, must be kept on leash at all times. The release or abandonment of fish, plants, and animals of any kind on USNA grounds is prohibited.

§ 500.11 - Vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

(a) Drivers of all vehicles in or on USNA property shall drive only on established roads, shall drive in a careful and safe manner at all times, and shall comply with the signals and directions of the Security Staff and all posted traffic signs.

(b) The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, loading platforms, or fire hydrants, and parking in designated no parking areas in or on USNA property is prohibited.

(c) Except in emergencies, parking in or on USNA property in other than designated areas is not allowed without a permit. Parking without authority, parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved for other persons, or contrary to the direction of posted signs, is prohibited.

(d) USNA approval is required for all vehicles needed for access setup and breakdown activities relating to special events, ceremonies, or related activities. Off-road routes will be determined by the USNA.

(e) In addition to the penalties provided in § 500.15, vehicles parked in violation of this section are subject to being towed and the cost of such towing being assessed to the owner of such vehicle.

(f) This section may be supplemented from time to time, by the issuance and posting of specific traffic directives as may be required, and when so issued and posted such directives shall have the same force and effect as if incorporated in this subpart.

§ 500.12 - Weapons and explosives.

(a) No person while in or on USNA property shall carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, except for authorized official purposes.

(b) No person while in or on the USNA shall ignite fireworks or other pyrotechnical devices.

§ 500.13 - Nondiscrimination.

The USNA is subject to the policy of nondiscrimination in programs or activities conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture as set forth in 7 CFR part 15d.

§ 500.14 - Exceptions.

The Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, may in individual cases make prior, written exceptions to the rules and regulations in this part if it is determined to be not adverse to the public interest.

§ 500.15 - Penalties and other law.

Whoever shall be found guilty of violating the rules and regulations in this subpart is subject to fine under title 18, United States Code, or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both (see 40 U.S.C. 1315(c)). Nothing contained in the rules and regulations in this part shall be construed as abrogating or authorizing the abrogation of any other regulations or any Federal law or any laws and regulations of the District of Columbia that may be applicable.

authority: 20 U.S.C. 196(a); sub secs. 2, 4, 5; 40 U.S.C. 121(d); 40 U.S.C. 1315(c)
source: 70 FR 55708, Sept. 23, 2005, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 7 CFR 500.9