RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date:  Tuesday, October 31, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-195 - Glen Canyon (Utah) - Follow-up on Accident with Fatality

Shortly after noon on July 23rd, a Ford Bronco driven by M.S. of
Cypress, California, failed to negotiate a curve on the Burr Trail seven
miles west of the Bullfrog ranger station, crossed the on-coming traffic
lane, left the gravel road and rammed a large sandstone outcropping. Two of
his passengers received minor injuries, but the third, 26-year-old M.E.,
was killed. On October 27th, the 6th Circuit Court bound M.S.
over to stand trial on charges of automobile homicide. District Court
arraignment on accusations of auto homicide and misdemeanor charges of
marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia was set for
December 7th. The complaint alleged that Sterger had a blood alcohol level
above the legal limit of .08 percent and was "incapable of safely operating
the vehicle and caused the death of (Eckroth)." (UPI report, 10/27).

89-328 - Haleakala (Hawaii) - Employee Death

Between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. on the 28th, a Twin Otter operated by Aloha
Island Air crashed on the island of Molokai. There were about 20 people
aboard the commuter flight, and all were killed. Among the passengers was
N.P., an interpretive ranger at Haleakala, who was married to Peter
Thompson, the superintendent of Kalaupapa. N.P. worked in Haleakala during
the week, then commuted home to Molokai on the weekends. She had worked at
Yosemite, Mount Rainier, Canyon de Chelly and Crater Lake before taking the
position at Haleakala. The cause of the crash remains unknown. (Telephone
reports from Phil Ward, RAD/WRO).

89-329 - Natchez Trace (Mississippi) - Motor vehicle Accident with Fatality

On the afternoon of the 27th, a vehicle traveling northbound on the parkway
crossed the centerline and struck another car head-on. The latter was
driven by T.B., 32, of Meridian, Mississippi, who was killed
instantly. The driver and passenger of the first vehicle are in guarded
condition in a local hospital. Park rangers are investigating the incident.
(Gene Phillips, CR, NATR, via CompuServe report from Bill Sturgeon,
RAD/SERO).

89-330 - Big Bend (Texas) - Drug Arrests

On the evening of October 14th, a park ranger stopped a 1988 Subaru with two
occupants at Castolon. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of five
pounds of marijuana and a half gram of methamphetamine with a combined
street value of $2,500. On the 24th, Border Patrol agents stopped I.E.J.
of Odessa, Texas, in the San Vicente District and
arrested him for possession and transportation of 186 pounds of marijuana.
The driver and a second passenger were arrested and held under state
charges; their vehicle was also seized by the state. (CompuServe message
from Phil Young, RAD/SWRO).

89-331 - Fort Jefferson (Florida) - Ship Grounding

A 475-foot ship hauling fertilizer phosphate ran aground yesterday about
7 1/2 miles north of Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, not far from Fort
Jefferson (it is unclear at present whether the incident occurred within the
park's boundaries). The ship, the Yugoslavian-registered 'Mavro Vetranit',
was reported to be embedded in a coral reef, but was not leaking any of its
cargo or fuel - 14,300 tons of phosphate, 120,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil,
and 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Efforts are underway to move the ship
and determine the scope of damage to the reef. (AP report, 10/30).

OFFICE NOTES

1) The Department is looking for candidates to fill a two to three-month-
long detail as acting chief of law enforcement for DOT. Butch Farabee of
this office is currently acting in this position, but will be completing his
detail in mid-November. The position will be a temporary GS-13 or 14 and
will be open around November 15th. It's an excellent training opportunity
and provides the incumbent with an opportunity to work on significant
issues. Call Walt Dabney if you're interested.

2) We are still taking farewell messages for Andy Ringgold and Dave Butts;
if you're interested in sending one, you can send it to us via CompuServe,
SEAdog or fax.

STAFF STATUS

Hodapp and Kreis on travel, Farabee at drug meeting in Rhode Island, Coffey
at grazing conference at Harpers Ferry, Healy at USPP conference.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 343-4874/6039 or 202-343-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 343-5977 or 202-343-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER
SEAdog:     1/650 (Phone:343-6014; BAUD:2400)