RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Wednesday, March 4, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-60 - Mount Rainier (Washington) - Search in Progress

On Friday, February 28th, G.T., 27, and J.V., 25, began a winter
ascent of Fear's Finger on Mount Rainier.  They were due back on Sunday
evening; when they failed to appear, the park was notified and a helicopter
search was begun the following morning.  Neither of the climbers was
spotted, but searchers reported seeing recent avalanche activity in the
area.  Helicopters were to continue searching yesterday, and additional
searchers and support were en route.  Both climbers had made several
unsuccessful attempts to climb Fear's Finger in the past.  [John Jensen,
MORA, via SEAdog message from Mark Forbes, RAD/PNRO, 3/3]

92-61 - Everglades (Florida) - Conviction for Commercial Sponging

On January 10th, rangers Jan Kirwan and Linda Cramer found M.A.,
52, and his wife, H.S., harvesting sponges a quarter mile within
the park's boundary near the Crane Keys.  M.A. had collected almost 700
sponges at the time.  Once cured, they would have had a commercial value of
$1,800.  M.A. and his 28-foot sponge boat were escorted to the Coast
Guard station at Islamorada, where his boat, two collecting rakes and the
sponges were seized.  Following a plea agreement reached in magistrate court
for the Southern District of Florida, M.A. pled guilty on February 21st
to charges of business operations and damage to natural features.  He was
fined $1,000, forfeited his commercial sponging equipment, and was placed on
a year's probation.  [Telefax from Mark Lewis, LES, EVER, 3/3]

92-62 - Katmai (Alaska) - Possible Volcanic Activity

Based on interpretations of satellite images received early yesterday
morning, the National Weather Service has reported a possible eruption of
Mount Mageik in Katmai.  The FAA has apparently received at least one pilot
report which would confirm an eruption.  FAA has accordingly imposed a ten-mile
radius flight restriction below 60,000 feet, and reports have been
received of several commercial flights being delayed in Seattle and the
possible re-routing of some international flights.  Although the Coast Guard
issued a press release announcing the eruption, the U.S. Geological Service
strongly doubts that any eruption took place, as they've recorded no unusual
seismic activity.  They feel that the cloud may be weather-related or an
unusual steam event.  [SEAdog message from Jack Morehead, RD, ARO, 3/3]

92-63 - Great Sand Dunes (Colorado) - Possible Suicide

On the afternoon of March 2nd, the body of S.H., 40, of Indianapolis,
Indiana, was found face down in the snow near the amphitheater at Pinion
Flats campground.  Rangers found literature associated with suicide in
Hart's vehicle, but no suicide note.  The county sheriff's office is
investigating the incident.  [Bill Haviland, CR, GRSA, via telefax from Jim
Reilly, RAD/RMRO, 3/3]

92-64 - Great Falls (Virginia) - Fire; Cult Ritual

Just after dusk on March 2nd, C&O Canal rangers spotted a ground fire across
the Potomac in the north section of Great Falls.  Rangers from both parks
responded along with Park Police and Fairfax fire and rescue units.  The
fire was about an acre in size and was located on a knoll overlooking the
river and aqueduct dam.  Rangers Tom Nash, Mike Sabatini and Steve Pittleman
joined Park Police officers in gathering evidence at the suspected ignition
point, which was at the base of a large tree.  They found what are believed
to be the remains of some form of religious or cult ritual.  There were two
pie plates filled with what appeared to be cornmeal topped with a piece of
red meat and an onion.  Adjacent to the plates was a half-filled bag of more
cornmeal.  On the opposite side of the tree, they found a half-filled jar of
honey and a small bowl with four ears of corn standing on end.  Another
plate with five paper cups that had been filled with liquid and an empty
green bottle were found about 25 feet south of the tree and at the base of
another large tree.  The fire was apparently started by several cigarettes
which were set on the ground.  An investigation into the incident continues. 
[Telefax from Jane Anderson, GRFA, 3/3]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) On March 3rd, Federal land managing agencies, including the NPS, BIA,
BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service, and Department of
Interior and Agriculture representatives met with members of the OPM task
group on law enforcement and protective occupations.  The NPS was
represented by both rangers and Park Police.  The purpose of this meeting
was to informally discuss concerns about pay and classification - but not
retirement benefits - for firefighter and law enforcement positions.  More
time was spent on law enforcement than on firefighting.  There seemed to be
a general feeling that the current system for wildland firefighting
positions, which employs GS-462 at the working level and GS-401 and GS-460
professional series for fire management positions, was working pretty well. 
There was a general consensus that the pay and classification systems for
field law enforcement were too low, however.  The GS-083 series, which is
quite low graded, is currently used for comparison with most field law
enforcement work.  In some cases, the higher-graded GS-1811 series can be
used, but not always.  All agencies expressed concern that they were losing
people to other organizations both within and outside the Federal system,
and agreed that there does not seem to be adequate recognition that field-type
law enforcement is just as complex and demanding as criminal
investigative work.  Possible ways to fix this problem were discussed,
including locality pay, pay differentials and a higher-graded system.  The
matter of collateral duty positions, where a person is required to perform
both enforcement and other duties, such as firefighting and EMS, was also
discussed.  One possible option for dealing with these types of position may
be to offer an annual salary add-on for an additional required skill.  [Dick
Martin, RAD/WASO]

2) Big Thicket has developed a remote-controlled deer decoy called
"Robobuck" which proved to be quite successful during last hunting season. 
The decoy allowed rangers to control the scene at a safer distance (up to
200 yards), presented illegal night hunters with a believable moving target,
and proved to be very durable in the field.  Rangers interested in obtaining
construction plans or other information concerning the decoy should contact
ranger Mark Bush at 409-839-2690 or FTS 527-2689.  [Mark Bush, BITH]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at structural fire task group meeting, Denver, CO
(3/2-3/6).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin instructing at managing
park protection course, Albright EDC, AZ (3/5-3/6); Coffey and Smith
instructing at same course (3/3-3/5).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd, Farrel and Erskine at structural fire
task group meeting, Denver, CO (3/2-3/6).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573

Telefax:    Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977

CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO

SEAdog:     Branch of R&VP - 1/650
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - 1/655