Laws & Policies

Firearms

February 22, 2010; The laws of this state prohibit the possession of firearms in this park. For those regulations, you may read Section 2.4 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or call or e-mail this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering any national park.

National Park Service Policies

• Management Policies
• Director's Orders

 

Superintedent's Compendium

In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 54 United States Code, Section 100751, the following provisions apply to all lands administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle Unit. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.

Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.

 

 

36 CFR §1.5 – Closures and Public Use Limits

(a)(1) The following visiting hours, public use limits, and closures are established:

Visiting Hours

• The Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center is

  • Open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

  • Closed Monday and Tuesday

  • Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1

  • Subject to closures as posted to accommodate holidays; staff training; scheduled maintenance; and/or in response to facility, public, and staffing emergencies

Public Use Limits

• Food and beverages are not allowed in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, except in connection with special use permit issued pursuant to §2.50.

Food and beverages attract pests which may threaten cultural resources.

• Property (including luggage) may not be left unattended in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center and must remain with the responsible individual at all times.

Unattended items may threaten public safety.

(a)(2) Designate Areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity.

• Launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

• Definition: The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quad-copters, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.

The park has no exterior public spaces, rendering the use of unmanned aircraft inappropriate except for extremely rare circumstances approved in writing by the superintendent.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905.

  • Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
  • Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.

  • If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because thepermit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law.

 

36 CFR §1.6 – Permits

Activities requiring a permit are below, as well as described throughout this document, under the specific 36 CFR Section that authorizes or requires the issuance of a permit.

(f) The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the superintendent is required:

• §2.12(a)(4) – Operation of a public address system in connection with a public gathering or special event for which a permit has been issued pursuant to §2.50.
• §2.35(a)(1) – The use and possession of alcoholic beverages within park areas pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.
• §2.37 – Soliciting or demanding gifts, money, goods or services pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.
• §2.50(a) – Special events, including sports events, pageants, regattas, public spectator attractions, entertainments, ceremonies, and similar events – provided, however, there is a meaningful association between the park area and the events, and the observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park area, and a permit therefor has been issued by the superintendent.
• §5.2 – The consumption of alcoholic, spirituous, vinous, or fermented liquor, containing more than 1 percent of alcohol by weight, in conformity with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.
• §5.5(a) – Commercial filming and still photography, subject to the provisions of 43 CFR part 5, subpart A.

Some filming, still photography, and audio recording (depends upon the facts and circumstances; contact the park for more information). 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2) and 54 U.S.C. 100905.

 

36 CFR §2.4 – Weapons, Traps and Nets

(a)(2)(g) Weapons may not be carried or possessed in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, a facility leased by the federal government, pursuant to 18 U.S. Code §930.

36 CFR §2.12 – Audio Disturbances

(a)(4) Operating a public address system in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center is prohibited, except in connection with a public gathering or special event for which a permit has been issued pursuant to §2.50.

36 CFR §2.14 – Sanitation and Refuse

(a)(2) Use of park refuse receptacles for dumping household, commercial or industrial refuse is prohibited.

(a)(5) Bathing or washing food, clothing, dishes, or other property at public fixtures is prohibited.

 

36 CFR §2.22 – Property

(a)(2) Leaving property unattended in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center and Museum is prohibited

The superintendent may impound unattended property and assess the owner reasonable fees for the impoundment and storage.

Geocaching is not a permissible activity in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center.

36 CFR §2.35 – Alcoholic Beverages And Controlled Substances

(a)(1) The use and possession of alcoholic beverages within the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center is permissible when pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.

(b)(1) The delivery of a controlled substance is prohibited in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, except when distribution is made by a practitioner in accordance with applicable law.

A controlled substance means a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedules I, II, III, IV, or V of part B of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812) or a drug or substance added to these schedules pursuant to the terms of the Act.

Delivery means the actual, attempted or constructive transfer of a controlled substance whether or not there exists an agency relationship.

(b)(2) The possession of a controlled substance is prohibited in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, unless such substance was obtained by the possessor directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order, from a practitioner acting in the course of professional practice or otherwise allowed by federal or state law.

36 CFR §2.37 – Noncommercial Soliciting

Soliciting or demanding gifts, money, goods or services is prohibited in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center except pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.

36 CFR §2.50 – Special Events

(a) Sports events, pageants, regattas, public spectator attractions, entertainments, ceremonies, and similar events are allowed in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, provided there is a meaningful association between the park area and the events, and the observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park area, and a permit therefor has been issued by the superintendent.

36 CFR §2.51 – Demonstrations and Designated Available Park Areas

(c)(2) No locations within the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center are designated as available for demonstrations, the sale or distribution of printed matter, and the free distribution of other message bearing items.

The park is a small museum that has no exterior public spaces and no interior public space where such activity would not unreasonably interfere with interpretive and visitor service activities as described in §2.51(c)(1)(iii).

36 CFR §2.52 – Sale of Printed Matter and the Distribution of Printed Matter and Other Message-bearing Items

(b) The sale or distribution of printed matter, and the free distribution of other message-bearing items without asking for or demanding payment or donation, is not allowed in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center as there are no areas designated as available under §2.51(c)(2).

The park is a small museum that has no exterior public spaces and no interior public space where such activity would not unreasonably interfere with interpretive and visitor service activities as described in §2.51(c)(1)(iii).

 

36 CFR §5.1 – Advertisements

Commercial notices or advertisements shall not be displayed, posted, or distributed in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center unless prior written permission has been given by the Superintendent.

Such permission may be granted only if the notice or advertisement is of goods, services, or facilities available within the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center and such notices and advertisements are found by the Superintendent to be desirable and necessary for the convenience and guidance of the public.

36 CFR §5.2 – Alocholic Beverages; Sale of Intoxicants

The consumption of alcoholic, spirituous, vinous, or fermented liquor, containing more than 1 percent of alcohol by weight, within the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center must conform with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and be pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit that has been issued under §2.50.

36 CFR §5.3 – Business Operations

Engaging in or soliciting any business in the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center, except in accordance with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement with the United States, except as such may be specifically authorized under special regulations applicable to a park area, is prohibited.