RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Thursday, January 19, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-8 - Bryce Canyon - Fire in Historic Structure

On the afternoon of the 16th, a fire broke out in the old superintendent's
house, which was built in 1929 and is currently being used as seasonal
quarters. The park's fire crew responded, but the building was fully
engulfed in flames by the time they arrived. The building was valued
between $50,000 and $60,000. No one was injured. At the time of the
report, the cause of the fire had not been determined. The state fire
marshall will be investigating. (Jim Reilly, RMRO).

OFFICE NOTES

1) SPECIAL NOTE: All federal offices in Washington, including WASO, will be
closed tomorrow due to inaugural activities.

2) BLM and the Forest Service have set new fees for grazing on their lands.
The new rate will be $1.86 per animal per month, up $.32 from last year. By
presidential directive, the two agencies use the same formula to set grazing
fees. The formula rises and falls with beef prices, among other factors.
(Larry Belli, RAD).

3) Federal agencies are working to implement the Cave Protection Act. BLM
is taking the governmental lead in developing regulations setting criteria
to identify significant caves. A Federal Register notice asking for public
comment will be out soon. At the end of the comment period in late February
or early March, an interagency workgroup will be convened to employ these
comments and their own expertise to develop draft regulations. These will
go out for public review with final regs scheduled for publication in late
August. One or two NPS cave experts will be brought in to help develop the
regs. Larry Belli will be the Service's rep on the interagency workgroup.
(Larry Belli, RAD).

STAFF STATUS

Loach on annual leave, Williams out of office.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
FTS 343-4874/4875 or 202-343-4874/4875