RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Thursday, March 5, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-65 - Big Bend (Texas) - Armed Confrontation

On January 4th, ranger Gary Carver received a report of a motorist with two
flat tires who needed assistance.  When he arrived at the scene, he
recognized the vehicle as one driven by a person he'd cited the previous day
for possession of an open container of alcohol and called for backup. 
Ranger Jim Vukonich and two Border Patrol agents responded.  Meanwhile,
Carver spoke briefly with the driver and determined that he was intoxicated. 
As soon as Vukonich and the agents were in place and briefed on the
situation, Carver approached the driver to get him out of the vehicle and
administer field sobriety tests.  He asked the driver to get out of the
vehicle; without saying a word, the driver pointed a sawed-off shotgun out
of the window and in a direction between the two rangers.  The shotgun was
loaded and cocked, and the driver had two additional shells in his hand and
more in his shirt pocket.  All officers drew their weapons and ordered him
to drop the shotgun.  After a short delay, he complied.  The driver was
taken into custody and charged with assault on federal officers.  The Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been made aware of the illegal weapon,
but has not yet filed charges.  Following a review of the case by the U.S.
attorney, the assault charge was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea on
misprision of a felony.  The driver had claimed that the shotgun belonged to
a hitchhiker who was no longer with him, but rangers found evidence that the
shotgun did in fact belong to the driver.  Upon further investigation, it
was learned that the driver was using an alias, that he was on parole in
Michigan for kidnapping, and that he was wanted for a parole violation.  The
plea bargain was then canceled, and the driver pled guilty to the assault
charge.  He is now awaiting sentencing.  [Telefax from Roger Moder, BIBE,
3/5] 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Badlands (South Dakota) -  Black-Footed Ferret EIS

Two public scoping meetings were held in South Dakota on February 26th and
27th to gather public comments, concerns and other information regarding the
proposed restoration of black-footed ferrets in southwestern South Dakota in
the park and the Forest Service's Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. 
Information from these meetings and written public comments received by
April 6th will be reviewed and addressed as alternatives are developed in a
draft environmental impact statement (EIS) now being prepared.  Persons
wishing to comment or obtain more information may write to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 420 South Garfield Avenue, Suite 400, Pierre, SD 57501. 
[Bruce Bessken, Acting CRM, BADL, 3/4]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) The Albright Employee Development Fund announcement and employee
information packet for this year have been distributed Servicewide.  Each
package contains filing guidelines and instructions as well as an
application.  For additional copies or assistance with the application,
please contact your local Employee Development office or training officer. 
Applications are due in the WASO Employee Development Division postmarked no
later than April 17th.  [Flip Hagood, EDD/WASO]

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