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Current Administrative Orders

Addenda to the Current Compendia
Administrative Order #21-001
Closure Order #20-001
 

Superintendent's Compendium

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Superintendent’s Compendium (09/21/2021)
Of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority.

Approved:
Tom Leatherman, Superintendent (09/21/2021) - Signature On file)

John Muir National
Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA 94553
925 228-8860 phone
925 228-8192 fax

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 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following regulatory provisions are established for the proper management, protection, government and public use of those portions of JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.

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:

Visiting Hours:

Muir House Site: The normal hours of the Muir House area of the site are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days per week (Sunday through Saturday). The Muir House is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Mount Wanda: The Mount Wanda area of the site is open sunrise to sunset every day.

Muir Gravesite: The Muir Gravesite is currently open to the public Monday through Friday 10:00 to 5:00, for pedestrian and bicycles and by guided tours only on Saturday and Sunday.

Closures:

The area that is a former residential reservation is closed to the public. All areas of the park are closed to picnicking except as noted in (iii 2.11).

Unmanned Aircraft System Use:

The launching, landing or operating or an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of John Muir National Historic Site is prohibited.

The above are in place to provide maximum Visitor and Resource Protection consistent with current staffing levels

(a)(2) The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:

Muir House Site. Recreational activities such as football, baseball, bicycle riding, skateboarding, Frisbees, scooters, and kite flying are not permitted on the historic site.

Mount W anda. The nature trail and the riparian trail on Mt. Wanda are restricted to hikers only. Horses and bicycles are prohibited.

(a)(2) Special Use:

The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:

First Amendment Activity: as designated by the superintendent, the clear area at the top of the hill above the visitor center between the two palm trees within John Muir National Historic site is designated for public assembly and sale or distribution of printed matter. For groups larger than 25 a permit is required as stated in section 2.51(a) below.

Bicycles: The use of bicycles, including electric bicycles in the park is allowed as stated in 36 CFR section 4.30 below. Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within John Muir NHS is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.

These conditions are established to provide for visitor and resource protection in these areas.

36 CFR §1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT

Activities requiring a permit are listed above under Public Use Limits and throughout this document under the specific 36 CFR Section that authorizes or requires the issuance of a permit.

§2.4(d) Carry or possess a weapon, trap, or net

§2.5(a) Specimen collection (Take plant, fish, wildlife, rocks or minerals)

§2.12 Audio Disturbances:

• (a)(2) Operating a chain saw in developed areas

• (a)(3) Operation of any type of portable motor or engine, or device powered by a portable motor or engine in non-developed areas

• (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 or §2.51

§2.17 Aircraft & Air Delivery:

• (a)(3) Delivery or retrieval of a person or object by parachute, helicopter or other airborne means

• (c)(1) Removal of a downed aircraft

§2.37 Soliciting or demanding gifts, money goods or services (Pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit issued under §2.50, §2.51 or §2.52)

§2.38 Explosives:

• (a) Use, possess, store, transport explosives, blasting agents

• (b) Use or possess fireworks

§2.50(a) Conduct a sports event, pageant, regatta, public spectator attraction, entertainment, ceremony, and similar events

§2.51(a) Public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views. See the listing of areas in section 2.52(a) below.

§2.52(a) Sale or distribution of printer matter that is not solely commercial advertising. See below for description of location:

• As designated by the superintendent, the clear area at the top of the hill above the visitor center between the two palm trees within John Muir National Historic site is designated for public assembly and sale or distribution of printed matter.

§2.60(b) Livestock use

§2.61(a) Residing on federal lands

§2.62 Memorialization:

• (a) Erection of monuments (Requires approval from Regional Director)

• (b) Scattering ashes from human cremation

§3.3 Use of a vessel

§4.11(a) Exceeding of established vehicle load, weight and size limits

§5.1 Advertisements - (Display, posting or distribution.)

§5.2(b) Sale of intoxicants in certain park areas

§5.3 Engaging in or soliciting any business (Requires a permit, contract or other written agreement with the United States, or must be pursuant to special regulations).

§5.5 Commercial Photography/Filming:

• Commercial filming of motion pictures or television involving the use of professional casts, settings or crews, other than bona fide newsreel or news television

• (b) Still photography of vehicles, or other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of commercial advertising.

§5.6(c) Use of commercial vehicles on park area roads (The superintendent shall issue a permit to access private lands within or adjacent to the park when access is otherwise not available)

§5.7 Construction of buildings, facilities, trails, roads, boat docks, path, structure, etc.

§6.9(a) Operation of a solid waste disposal site

36 CFR §2.1 – PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

(b) Hiking or pedestrian traffic is restricted to the trail tread or walkway on the following trails/walkways:

• Mount Wanda nature trail

• Riparian trail

(c) (1) Fruits, nuts, and berries grown on the site may be consumed by the public subject to restrictions designated by the staff.

36 CFR §2.10 – CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE

Page 4 of 5

Camping is prohibited in the park.

36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKING

Certain areas have been closed to picnicking as listed in section 1.5(a)(1) “Closures”. Picnicking is allowed only in the picnic area behind the Martinez Adobe, the picnic area under the pecan trees, the redwood grove near Franklin Creek, or the picnic tables next to the visitor center. Picnicking is allowed on Mt. Wanda.

36 CFR §2.13 - FIRES

(a)(1) The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas and or receptacles, and under the conditions noted.

Designated Areas. The picnic area under the pecan trees.

Receptacles Allowed: Grills located at the picnic area under the pecan trees.

Established conditions for Fires: Any fire in this area must be approved by the Superintendent.

36 CFR §2.15 – PETS

(a)(1) The following structures and/or areas are closed to the possession of pets:

• Visitor Center

• Muir House

• Martinez Adobe

Service animals are permitted in these areas on a six foot or shorter leash.

(a)(5) Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:

• Must be placed in a container and disposed of by owner.

36 CFR §2.16 – HORSES and PACK ANIMALS

(b) The use of horses or pack animals is permitted on the following trails, routes or areas:

• The Mount Wanda fire roads

36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING/VAPING

(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking or vaping:

• All areas of the park with the exception of the visitor center parking lot are closed to smoking or vaping.

36 CFR §2.35 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(a)(3)(i) The following areas and facilities within the park are closed to consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed:

• Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the park unless by permit approved by the Superintendent.

36 CFR §2.62 – MEMORIALIZATION

(b) A permit is required for the scattering of ashes from cremated human remains.

36 CFR §4.10 – TRAVEL ON PARK ROADS AND ROUTES

(a) Park roads open for travel by motor vehicle are those indicated below, and/or as indicated in the following publication or document:

• Parking lot adjacent to the visitor center is open to travel by motor vehicle

• Roadways within the Muir House area are closed to public motor vehicle traffic

• Fire roads in the Mount Wanda area of the site are closed to public motor vehicle traffic

36 CFR §4.30(f)-(i)- BICYCLES (including electric bicycles)

Bicycles, including electric bikes, are permitted on the following administrative park roads and parking areas. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.

o Mount Wanda Fire Road

o Paved roads/trails at Muir House area

 

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Last updated: February 25, 2022

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4202 Alhambra Ave
Martinez, CA 94553

Phone:

925 228-8860

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