November 18, 2022 US Department of the Interior A. Introduction1. Superintendents Compendium Described
36 CFR §1.6 - The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the Superintendent is required:
2. Laws & Policies Allowing the Superintendent to Develop this CompendiumThe National Park Service (NPS) is granted broad statutory authority under 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 1 et.seq. (Organic Act of 1916, as amended) to “…regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations…by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purposes of the said parks… which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment for future generations: (16 U.S.C. Section 1). In addition, the NPS Organic Act allows the NPS, through the Secretary of the Interior, to “make and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or proper for the use and management of the parks, monuments, and reservations under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service” (16 U.S.C. Section 3). 3. Consistency of this Compendium with Applicable Federal Law & RequirementsThe Superintendent’s Compendium is not considered a significant rule requiring review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. In addition, this Compendium will not have a significant economic effect on small entities nor impose a significant cost of any local, state or tribal government or private organization, and therefore does not fall under the requirements of either the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 4. Development of the Requirements of the Superintendent's CompendiumAs outlined above, the NPS has broad authority and responsibility to determine what types of uses and activities are appropriate in a particular National Park System area. The requirements of the Superintendent’s Compendium are developed though an analysis and determination process. The decision criteria used during this process are:
5. Applicability of the CompendiumThe rules contained in this Compendium apply to all persons entering, using, visiting or otherwise present on Federally owned lands, including submerged lands, and waters administered by the NPS within the legislative boundaries of the park. This includes all waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including all navigable waters. 6. Enforcement of Compendium RequirementsNPS Law Enforcement Park Rangers enforce the requirements of the United States Code, 36 CFR, and this Superintendent’s Compendium. 7. Penalties for Not Adhering to the Compendium RequirementsA person who violates any provision of the regulations found in 36 CFR, Parts 1-7 or provisions of this Compendium, is subject to a fine as provided by law (18 U.S.C. 3571) up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment not exceeding six months (18 U.S.C. 3559), or both, and shall be adjudged to pay all court costs associated with any court proceedings. You may receive a list of fines associated with any particular provision by contacting the Chief Ranger. 8. Comments on the CompendiumThe Compendium is reviewed annually and revised as necessary. The park welcomes comments about its program and activities at any time. Written comments on the Compendium may be submitted to: 9. Effective Date of the Superintendent's CompendiumThe Superintendent's Compendium is effective on the approval date listed on the first page of this document (top of document) and remains in effect until revised for a period of up to one year. 10. Additional InformationSome of the terms used in this Compendium may have specific meaning defined in 36 CFR 1.4 Definitions. 11. AvailabilityCopies of the Compendium are available at Copies of the Compendium are available at William Howard Taft National Historic Site. B. SUPERINTENDENT'S COMPENDIUMIn 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 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, chapter 1, Parts 1-7. I. 36 CFR §1.5 - VISITING HOURS PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES(a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all, or a portion of the park, to all public use, or to a certain use or activity: Visiting Hours:Visitor use of the park is limited to daylight hours, defined as one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Visitation in other than daylight hours is incompatible with the educational and scientific purposes for which the park was established. The Superintendent makes exceptions for evening programs, approved Special Use Permits, or approval on an individual basis. Emergency closures will be posted and/or announced through the media. Reason for Determination: The park was established to preserve and protect significant properties associate with the life of William Howard Taft. There are no overnight camping facilities in the park, and except for scheduled evening interpretive programs, there is no valid scientific or educational reason to allow visitor use after dark. In addition, there are no park employees on-site after dark and the sites are vulnerable to looting or vandalism if the park remained open to the public. Visiting is therefore limited to daylight hours. Order: subsection (a)(l) The Taft home and Taft Education Center (TEC) is open to the public daily 362 days a year. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Reason: Holiday closing is to provide employees opportunity to be with family. Order: subsection (a)(1) Fenced and gated areas of the site are closed when gates are locked between 5:00 pm to 8:00 am daily. Trespass into these closed areas by unauthorized persons or vehicles during this period are prohibited. The Southern Avenue public use (picnic) area is closed to unauthorized persons from dusk to dawn. Parking in the overflow lot is limited to WIHO staff, contractors and visitors touring the park. An exception is granted for vehicles dropping off or picking up students from the Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy School. Signs are posted for 15minute time limit. No overnight parking except for staff members on training or travel and approved by Superintendent. Reason: Administered lands are closed to prevent after-hours damage to irreplaceable historical structures and objects or to contemporary U.S. Government facilities. Additionally, landscapes and structural appurtenances present typical hazard to persons during periods of darkness. Order: subsection (a)(1) The possession or use of glass food or beverage containers on all parkland is prohibited for public safety and sanitation, except in vehicles parked at designated areas. Reason: To reduce safety hazards of broken glass to public users and reduce hazardous litter. Order: subsection (a)(2) The following is prohibited in the Taft home:
Order: subsection (a)(3) The second-floor community room (room 204-205) and the basement garden room (room 004-005) of the Home, the classroom in the Education Center, and specific outdoor grounds areas are open to groups for meetings and receptions subject to the following restrictions:
Mask Wearing Requirements to Support Public Health When the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM in the county or all the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals are not required to wear masks.When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in the county or all the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the CDC, all individuals over the age of two must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to, park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops and restaurants. When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in one or more, but not all, of the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the CDC, the superintendent will determine whether individuals are required to wear masks. The requirement, if any, will apply to all facilities within the park. Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement. Regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level, individuals may wear masks if they choose to do so. Where a state, local, tribal, or territorial government where the park is located imposes more protective mask-wearing requirements than those indicated by the COVID-19 Community Level, individuals must follow those more protective requirements within the park. More protective state, local, tribal, or territorial mask-wearing requirements are hereby adopted as federal requirements in all units of the National Park System located within that state, locality, area subject to a federally recognized Indian tribe’s regulatory jurisdiction, or territory, regardless of a particular park’s jurisdictional status. Additionally, all individuals must wear masks in or on public transportation conveyances and transportation hubs/facilities, to the extent required by current orders or directives issued by the CDC, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), or other federal agencies with jurisdiction over those conveyances or areas. As of March 4, 2022, CDC and TSA orders or directives require all individuals regardless of vaccination status to wear masks in indoor areas of all forms of public transportation conveyances, including busses, trains, and boats/ferries, and in the indoor premises of transportation hubs/facilities. Individuals are not required to wear masks while outdoors on conveyances or while outdoors on the premises of transportation hubs/facilities. The Superintendent has determined that this action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, is required to comply with Executive Order 13991, Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with respect to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and other public health measures by: on-duty or on-site Federal employees; on-site Federal contractors; and all persons in Federal buildings or on Federal lands. Unmanned Aircraft: Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (otherwise known as Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) from, or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of William Howard Taft National Historic Site is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent. Definition: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) - 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, quadcopters, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce. Section 1.6 Permits In compliance with 36 CFR 1.6, the following activities require Special Use Permits from the Superintendent. Application for a Special Use Permit must be submitted on form 10-930.
Section 2.1 Preservation of natural. cultural. and archeological resources (a)(6) Touching or handling artifacts or historic fabric within the home is prohibited. Reason: To protect and preserve irreplaceable historic materials and objects. Section 2.10 - Camping Camping and/or overnight parking is not permitted. Reason: Safe and sanitary facilities for extended human occupation do not exist. Section 2.11 - Picnicking: Picnicking by groups of six or more persons is permitted only in the designated area of the Southern Avenue public use area. Groups of five or less simply eating a sack lunch (no food preparation or serving required) are permitted to also use benches or landscapes around the Taft Education Center and Home. Users must cleanup all trash and place it in appropriate waste cans. Reason: The only facility designed to accommodate preparation and serving of foods for larger, formal groups, is the Southern Avenue public use area. Smaller groups requiring only a place to sit and eat a sack lunch pose no potential conflict with other users. Section 2.13 - Fires: Fires are prohibited anywhere on the site. Reason: Facilities do not exist for the safe use of fire. Section 2.15 Pets: (a)(l) Pets are prohibited in the home and education center. On the grounds, pets are generally discouraged but if present they must always be leashed. This section does not apply to harnessed guide dogs accompanying impaired persons. Stray animals will be evaluated from a distance and visitors will be kept away until a determination is made whether they could become vicious. If so, the SPCA will be called immediately, and the area controlled until they arrive. If concerns about the animal do not exist attempts to locate the owner should be made before contacting the SPCA for pickup. (a)(3) Pets may not be tied to natural features such as trees or to historic objects including structures or fence sections. Pets must not be left unattended except in parked vehicles and only then if properly provided for according to prevailing weather conditions. Patrols may be conducted to assure pets are not at risk and owners contacted if concerns arise. (a)(4) Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:
Section 2.21 Smoking: Smoking or carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other burning or smoldering device is prohibited inside the historic home and all other structures. Smoking outdoors anywhere in the park is permitted. Trash and debris from smoking is litter and must be disposed of properly in appropriate containers provided. Reason: Executive Order prohibits smoking in Government buildings, fire hazard reduction and human health and safety. Section 2.23 Recreation fees: Currently the site and all routine offerings are free of charge but administrative costs for special programs and/or events may be imposed by the Superintendent. A fee may be charged for the use of facilities to any extent needed to recover unbudgeted costs associated with a permitted special use. Provision for special event fees will be made in advance with any Special Use Permit granted. Examples or such costs include but are not limited to clean up and staff time or overtime directly related to the permitted use. A non-refundable processing fee is required for all Special Use Permit applications not related to first amendment activities. This is intended only to recover unbudgeted costs of employee time to evaluate and approve/disapprove applications. Reason: Fees may be utilized within existing authorities to recoup costs necessary in supporting special activities. Illegal possession, sale, or use of controlled substances anywhere on the site is prohibited. Possession and use of alcoholic beverages except in conjunction with approved special events as described below, is prohibited anywhere on the site. The serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages may be permitted in the community room and garden room of the home and in the education center only with written permission from the Superintendent. Such permission may be contingent upon the permittee’s presenting proof of sufficient liability insurance naming the United States as an insured and certification that all activities comply with state liquor laws. Carrying or consuming beverages in the exhibit spaces and historically furnished rooms of the home is prohibited. Reason: Comply with Federal and State Laws, prevent user conflict, and protect historic objects. Order: subsection (e). Permits must be obtained from the Superintendent which designate approved locations in the Southern Avenue Public Use area or on the northwest (twenty foot) corner of the education center parking lot on Auburn Avenue. Reason: To ensure the equitable allocation of facilities and the avoidance of conflicts among visitor use activities. |
Last updated: November 18, 2022