RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION MORNING REPORT Attention: Directorate Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC CC: RAD Information Net Day/date: Wednesday, February 6, 1991 INCIDENTS 91-40 - Southwest Region - Seizure of Illegally Taken Fossils Federal law enforcement officers from the Forest Service, BLM and the Park Service served a search warrant at the home of L.M. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on January 31st and seized several cartons of fossils which were illegally taken from public lands. The regional law enforcement specialist, three law enforcement rangers, and two employees from SWRO's anthropology division participated in the search. The warrant was requested after L. and P.M. approached officials at the Museum of Natural History in Albuquerque and attempted to trade the fossils for others the museum might have. L.M. reportedly told the museum's paleontology curator that many of the fossils came from public lands near Farmington, New Mexico. Museum experts estimated that the fossils were from the Paleocene Age, and said that the materials L.M. brought to the museum were of "inestimable" scientific value and could be found in only about two dozen places in the world. L.M. later said that he cooperated with the federal officers and provided the names of others involved in removing the fossils. [Newspaper article by Karen Peterson, Albuquerque Journal, 2/1, via telefax from Jim Radney, LES, RAD/SWRO, 2/4] 91-41 - Yosemite (California) - Arson At about 2:30 a.m. on January 25th, a structural fire broke out in a garage located within the administrative site at El Portal. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was man-caused and most likely arson. The garage was wooden with a dirt floor and was used for storage. A vehicle was observed leaving the scene when approached by park enforcement rangers; they were able to obtain a vehicle description and partial license plate number. An investigation is now underway. [Roger Rudolph, CR, YOSE, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/5] 91-42 - Lassen Volcanic (California) - Suspicious Device A California transportation department maintenance man discovered a device which looked like a bomb sitting on a snow bank about a mile from the main entrance of the park on January 25th. The county bomb squad detonated the device and discovered that it had all the characteristics of a bomb but lacked explosives. An investigation is underway. [Guy Whitmer, LAVO, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/5] 91-43 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Multiple Arrests The park's dispatch center received a report on February 2nd from a man who claimed that he had been kidnapped, handcuffed, and held in the back of a stolen vehicle for three days. The vehicle was spotted by rangers on the West Rim Drive shortly thereafter. A computer check revealed that the vehicle was stolen and possibly contained a shotgun and two rifles. Rangers made a felony stop and took six occupants of the vehicle into custody. Upon further investigation, rangers learned that the kidnapping report was false and that it had been made by a companion of the members of this group. Another of the adult males arrested also claimed to have been kidnapped. Four female juveniles in the group were listed in NCIC as runaways. Both males and one of the females were arrested for making false reports and for possession of stolen property. All six people in the vehicle came from Minnesota. Rangers are assisting authorities with the investigation of burglaries which occurred in that state and with charges of vehicle theft, sexual misconduct with minors and probation violations. [John Benjamin, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/5] MIDDLE EAST INCIDENT UPDATE Statue of Liberty (New York) - There were two bomb threats to the statue on February 1st. Both calls were received on the city's 911 emergency number. Necessary precautions were taken with the assistance of NYPD's harbor unit and the New Jersey state police harbor unit. No bombs were found. [John Lynch, RAD/NARO, 2/5] Independence (Pennsylvania) - MAR rangers are being assigned to the park to provide additional, around-the-clock security at the Liberty Bell Pavilion and other sites in Independence. The rangers are being sent to the park for 14 to 21 day details and are working eight to 12 hour shifts. [United Press, 2/5] Please advise us through your regional offices of all threats received, permits issued for demonstrations, and demonstrations or incidents that occur which are related to the war in the Gulf. Call Major Schamp at FTS 268-4209 (202-208-4209). RESOURCE MANAGEMENT No reports today. OFFICE NOTES 1) NPS-51 requires each park to conduct an EMS needs assessment to determine the level and degree of EMS required in the park. Butch has a sample assessment designed by Glacier ranger and park medic Randy Coffman and would be happy to send it out to any park that would like a copy. You can reach him at FTS 268-4188. [Butch Farabee, RAD/WASO] STAFF STATUS Division Chief: Dabney at Southwest Region chief rangers' conference (2/4-2/6), and Albright EDC (2/6-2/8). Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Halainen at field legislative coordinator conference, WASO (2/5-2/6); Henry on SL (2/4-?). Branch of Fire: Hurd at meeting in Denver, CO (2/4-2/8); Gale instructing at I-520/I-620 course, Marana, AZ (2/4-2/8); Farrel at Timpanogos Cave, UT (2/4-?); Botti, Broyles and Clark at SWR chief rangers' conference, San Antonio, TX (2/6-2/8). Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities Telephone: FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039 Telefax: FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977 CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire) SEAdog: 1/650