Rule2025-11155
National Capital Region; America250 Events
Primary source
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Published
June 17, 2025
Effective
June 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
The National Park Service is issuing a temporary amendment to regulations for the National Capital Region. This amendment will temporarily remove barriers to the efforts of executive departments and agencies and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to appropriately plan, organize, and execute an extraordinary celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence through various events taking place within the Washington, DC region.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25498-25501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11155]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
36 CFR Part 7
[NPS-NCR-40383; PPNCNCROD0, PPMPSAS1Y.T00000]
RIN 1024-AF06
National Capital Region; America250 Events
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service is issuing a temporary amendment to
regulations for the National Capital Region. This amendment will
temporarily remove barriers to the efforts of executive departments and
agencies and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to
appropriately plan, organize, and execute an extraordinary celebration
of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence through various
events taking place within the Washington, DC region.
DATES: Effective June 17, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on
December 31, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer T. Nersesian, Regional
Director, National Capital Region, (202) 619-7021,
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of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14189,
``Celebrating America's 250th Birthday.'' This Executive Order
announced a national policy to provide a grand celebration worthy of
the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American
Independence on July 4, 2026. The Executive Order also established a
White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday (Task
Force 250). Task Force 250 is chaired by the President, vice chaired by
the Vice President, and consists of cabinet-level Secretaries,
including the Secretary of the Interior, and other officials. An
Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day operations of Task
Force 250. The Executive Order directs Task Force 250 to coordinate
with executive departments and agencies to plan, organize, and execute
an extraordinary celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American
Independence. The Executive Director is empowered to seek information
or advice from such other agencies as Task Force 250 shall direct. Task
Force 250 terminates on December 31, 2026, unless extended by the
President.
The Executive Order allows the President and the Vice President, as
they deem appropriate, to invite the Executive Director of the United
States Semiquincentennial Commission (Commission) to provide
recommendations and advice to Task Force 250. Further, the Executive
Order states that Task Force 250 shall coordinate communications from
executive departments and agencies with the Commission. The Commission
was established by Congress in the United States Semiquincentennial
Commission Act of 2016 (114 Pub. L. 196) for the purpose of planning
and orchestrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence. Appointed by the House and Senate
leadership of both parties, the nonpartisan Commission is composed of
16 private citizens, 4 U.S. Representatives and 4 Senators, as well as
12 Ex Officio members from all three branches of the Federal Government
and its independent agencies.
The celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence
will consist of numerous events in locations across the nation,
collectively referred to as America250 events. Event types include
celebrations, ceremonials, ceremonies, commemorations, community
events, cultural events, educational events, exhibits, milestones,
reenactments, social events, and volunteer and service events. Events
will be in-person, virtual, and many will be free. Events are ongoing
and many more are planned and will take place leading up to and on July
4, 2026, and then through the end of the Semiquincentennial year.
Several America250 events that take place in and around Washington,
DC will be planned, organized, and executed by the Commission and
executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government,
including, but not limited to, the White House, the U.S. Department of
Defense, and the Interior Department. Many of these events will occur
on lands administered by the National Park Service (NPS) within the
Washington, DC region. The NPS administers iconic monuments, memorials,
and other locations within
[[Page 25499]]
Washington, DC that tell the story of the United States of America by
commemorating the people and events that shaped us as a nation. For
example, National Mall and Memorial Parks consists of more than 1,000
acres of parkland with many of America's most significant cultural
resources, including monuments and memorials that honor the bravery,
sacrifices, and beliefs of those who have served their nation, its
people, and all humanity.
Due to the nature and location of NPS-administered lands in
Washington, DC, the NPS will play a key role in coordinating and
carrying out America250 events on lands within its jurisdiction. This
includes America250 events that will occur in part on the National Mall
on and around July 4, 2026, and will require a significant effort to
plan, organize, and execute. The Commission and executive departments
and agencies planning, organizing, and executing America250 events on
NPS-administered lands need assurance that they will have access to the
locations necessary to carry out these events successfully.
NPS regulations for park areas within the Washington, DC region are
found in 36 CFR 7.96, National Capital Region. Regulations governing
special events are found in paragraph (g) of section 7.96. The term
``special events'' is defined in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) to include sports
events, pageants, celebrations, historical reenactments, regattas,
entertainments, exhibitions, parades, fairs, festivals and similar
events (including events presented by the NPS), which are not
demonstrations and which are engaged in by one or more persons, the
conduct of which has the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd
or onlookers. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(1)(ii). The regulation further clarifies
that ``special events'' do not include casual park use by visitors or
tourists which does not have an intent or propensity to attract a crowd
or onlookers.
Under this definition, all America250 events planned, organized,
and executed by executive departments and agencies or the Commission
and taking place on lands administered by the NPS in the Washington, DC
region, as described in paragraph (a) of section 7.96, will be
``special events.'' The regulations in paragraph (g) address various
issues related to special events, including permit requirements, permit
applications, closed areas, permit processing, permit limitations,
permit priority, and permit revocation.
Temporary Rule
This rule exempts America250 events planned, organized, and
executed by executive departments and agencies or the Commission from
requirements in several of these regulations in order to create
efficiencies related to permit processing, event duration and location,
priority use of park areas, equipment and structures, and to achieve
the goals of Executive Order 14189. Specifically, this rule exempts
America250 events planned, organized, and executed by executive
departments and agencies or the Commission from requirements that
include the following as applied to special events:
<bullet> Limitations on the times and dates the Regional Director
shall accept permit applications. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(3).
<bullet> The prohibition on issuing permits for special events in
the White House area. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(3)(i).
<bullet> The prohibition on issuing permits for special events
within portions of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson
Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(3)(ii).
<bullet> The requirements that the NPS process permit applications
for special events in order of receipt. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(4)(i).
<bullet> The requirement that use of a particular area is allocated
in order of receipt of fully executed special event applications. 36
CFR 7.96(g)(4)(i).
<bullet> Priority use of particular park areas for specific
national celebration events. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(4)(ii) and 36 CFR
7.96(g)(4)(iv).
<bullet> Limitations on the maximum duration of special events. 36
CFR 7.96(g)(4)(vi).
<bullet> Restrictions on the purposes for using temporary
structures, except for the prohibition on the use of temporary
structures for living accommodation activities. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5)(vi).
<bullet> Prohibition on structures on the White House sidewalk. 36
CFR 7.96(g)(5)(vi)(A).
<bullet> Restrictions on the use of signs or placards. 36 CFR
7.96(g)(5)(vii).
<bullet> Restrictions on the placement or storage of parcels,
containers, packages, bundles or other property. 36 CFR
7.96(g)(5)(viii).
<bullet> Restrictions on the erection, placement or use of
structures or signs in Lafayette Park. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5)(ix).
<bullet> Restrictions on the placement of stages and sound
amplification equipment at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 36 CFR
7.96(g)(5)(x).
<bullet> Restrictions on the use of sound amplification equipment
on the White House sidewalk. 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5)(xi)(A).
This rule also would allow the Regional Director to exempt
America250 events planned, organized, and executed by executive
departments and agencies or the Commission from other requirements
related to special events in paragraph (g) upon a determination that
such exemptions are necessary for the planning, organization, and
execution of such events, after consideration of potential impacts to
park resources and visitors.
This rule will not have the effect of providing executive
departments and agencies exclusive use of all NPS-administered lands
within Washington, DC region for the duration of this rule. Areas that
are not in use for America250 events planned, organized, and executed
by executive departments and agencies or the Commission will be
available to the public, according to applicable law, including NPS
regulations, and federal administrative policy.
This rule will be effective upon publication in the Federal
Register until December 31, 2026, when Task Force 250 terminates. This
will allow sufficient time for the planning, organizing, and executing
of all America250 events that occur on NPS-administered lands within
Washington, DC. After this rule expires on December 31, 2026, NPS
regulations in paragraph (g) of 36 CFR 7.96 will revert to their former
wording.
Some locations within park areas have already been allocated to
permittees who applied for and received special event permits prior to
the effective date of this rule. This rule may result in changes to
what had been authorized by those permits. The NPS will notify the
permittees of such changes and mitigate impacts from those changes to
the extent practicable.
Compliance With Other Laws, Executive Orders and Department Policy
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 14192)
This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866. This rule is an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action.
Administrative Procedure Act
Task Force 250 has commenced planning festivities and events for
America250 that launched on Memorial Day 2025 and will continue through
the end of the Semiquincentennial year. On June 14, 2025, the NPS will
celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army with a Military Parade
and Celebration that will take place on the National Mall in
Washington, DC. In accordance with the requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4)(B)),
[[Page 25500]]
the NPS has determined that publishing a proposed rule would be
impracticable because events are already being planned and organized
and must be permitted and executed within a very short time frame to
avoid serious disruption in this important national celebration. In
addition, the NPS has determined that a public comment period would be
contrary to the public interest, including the interests of potential
applicants for permits to hold other special events on NPS-administered
lands within the National Capital Region. The times and locations
available for these events could change as a result of America250
events planned, organized, and executed by executive departments and
agencies and the Commission. Early notice will allow potential
applicants to understand the rules that will apply to events within the
National Capital Region during the effective time period of this rule,
and allow them to plan their events with the best available information
about the permitting process. The NPS also has determined that delaying
the effective date of this rule for thirty days would be impracticable
and contrary to the public interest for the reasons stated above.
Therefore, under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)),
the NPS has determined that this temporary rule will be effective on
the date published in the Federal Register.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
This rule 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.).
Congressional Review Act
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2). 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 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
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 unique effect on State,
local or Tribal governments or the private sector. It addresses public
use of national park lands and imposes no requirements on other
agencies or governments. A statement containing the information
required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is
not required.
Takings (E.O. 12630)
This rule does not effect a taking of private property or otherwise
have takings implications under E.O. 12630. A takings implication
assessment is not required.
Federalism (E.O. 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of E.O. 13132, the rule does not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement. This rule only affects use of
federally administered lands and waters. It has no direct effects on
other areas. A federalism summary impact statement is not required.
Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
This rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. This rule:
(a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be
written to minimize litigation; and
(b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and Department
Policy).
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their
right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty. The NPS has evaluated
this rule under the criteria in E.O. 13175 and under the Department's
Tribal consultation policy and has determined that Tribal consultation
is not required because the rule will not have a substantial direct
effect on federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain information collection requirements, and
a submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork
Reduction Act is not required. The NPS may not conduct or sponsor and
you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless
it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement
under the NEPA is not required because the rule is covered by a
categorical exclusion. 43 CFR 46.210(i). This rule creates exemptions
from requirements that apply to permitting America250 special events on
NPS-administered lands in Washington, DC. These changes are
administrative and procedural in nature because they do not directly
authorize any activity to occur in park areas. All America250 events
that occur on lands that are subject to the regulations in 36 CFR 7.96
during the effective period of this rule will require a permit that
will be subject to the appropriate NEPA process at that time. The NPS
also has determined that the rule does not involve any of the
extraordinary circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require
further analysis under the NEPA.
Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)
This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition
in E.O. 13211; the rule is not likely to have a significant adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, and the rule has
not otherwise been designated by the Administrator of Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. A
statement of energy effects is not required.
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7
District of Columbia, National parks, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
In consideration of the foregoing, the National Park Service amends
36 CFR part 7 as set forth below:
PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
0
1. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 54 U.S.C. 100101, 100751, 320102; Sec. 7.96 also
issued under D.C. Code 10-137 and D.C. Code 50-2201.07.
0
2. Amend Sec. 7.96 by adding paragraph (g)(8) to read as follows:
Sec. 7.96 National Capital Region.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(8) America250 events. The restrictions, limitations, closures,
[[Page 25501]]
prohibitions, priority use designations, and other requirements for
special events in the paragraphs of this section identified in table 1
of this paragraph (g)(8), as applied to special events, do not apply to
the ``America250'' events, which are those special events planned,
organized, and executed by executive departments and agencies or the
Semiquincentennial Commission for the celebration of the 250th
anniversary of American Independence. The National Park Service
Director, or designee, will take necessary steps to ensure priority for
America250 events within and relating to special event permitting in
the National Capital Region, as the National Capital Region is
described in paragraph (a) of this section, under this paragraph (g)
and related authorities, as well as priority for use of a particular
park area whenever another special event may conflict with an
America250 event. The National Park Service Director, or designee, also
may exempt America250 events from any additional requirements as
necessary, including requirements in the Superintendents' Compendia, to
ensure the proper planning, organizing, or executing such events.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(8)
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Location Requirement
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Paragraph (g)(3) of this Limitations on the times and dates the
section. Regional Director shall accept permit
applications.
Paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this The prohibition on issuing permits for
section. special events in the White House area.
Paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this The prohibition on issuing permits for
section. special events within portions of the
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial,
Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans
Memorial.
Paragraph (g)(4)(i) of this The requirements that the NPS process
section. permit applications for special events
in order of receipt.
Paragraph (g)(4)(i) of this The requirement that use of a particular
section. area is allocated in order of receipt of
fully executed special event
applications.
Paragraphs (g)(4)(ii) and Priority use of particular park areas for
(iv) of this section. specific national celebration events.
Paragraph (g)(4)(vi) of this Limitations on the maximum duration of
section. special events.
Paragraph (g)(5)(vi) of this Restrictions on the purposes for using
section. temporary structures, except for the
prohibition on the use of temporary
structures for living accommodation
activities.
Paragraph (g)(5)(vi)(A) of Prohibition on structures on the White
this section. House sidewalk.
Paragraph (g)(5)(vii) of this Restrictions on the use of signs or
section. placards.
Paragraph (g)(5)(viii) of Restrictions on the placement or storage
this section. of parcels, containers, packages,
bundles or other property.
Paragraph (g)(5)(ix) of this Restrictions on the erection, placement
section. or use of structures or signs in
Lafayette Park.
Paragraph (g)(5)(x) of this Restrictions on the placement of stages
section. and sound amplification equipment at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Paragraph (g)(5)(xi)(A) of Restrictions on the use of sound
this section. amplification equipment on the White
House sidewalk.
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* * * * *
Maureen Foster,
Chief of Staff, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Assistant
Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2025-11155 Filed 6-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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