RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, April 29, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-28 - Vicksburg (Mississippi) - Follow-up on Theft of Bronze Plaques

Earlier this year, P.D. and B.G. were arrested by local
authorities following an investigation which revealed that they were the
persons who had stolen a pair of two-foot by three-foot bronze historical
plaques from the park on January 22nd.  Area law enforcement agencies and
salvage yards were notified of the theft, and local sheriff's deputies
recovered one of the tablets from a Vicksburg scrap dealer two days later. 
The dealer subsequently identified P.D. and B.G..  The pair were
indicted on felony charges for theft and destruction of federal property by
a federal grand jury on April 22nd; they were arrested on federal warrants
by ranger Tim Mauch on the 27th, and were arraigned and released on personal
recognizance bonds later that day.  The trial is scheduled for August 17th
in Natchez.  [Telefax from Sam Weddle, VICK, 4/28]

92-152 - Independence (Philadelphia) - Special Event

On April 27th, Jerry Brown, Democratic candidate for President, visited the
park for a rally and a campaign speech on the Judge Lewis Quadrangle.  A
permit had been issued for the event.  About 1,000 supporters attended the
rally and speech.  Media interest was high, and camera crews from five local
television stations were present.  Governor Brown has specifically turned
down Secret Service protection and did not request protection from
Philadelphia police.  In accordance with his wishes, the park handled the
rally like any other special event and did not provide any specific
dignitary protection.  No problems occurred during the event.  [Telefax from
Bob Byrne, CR, INDE, 4/28]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Channel Islands (California) - Feral Pig Eradication

The feral pig eradication program on Santa Rosa Island has apparently
eliminated the exotic animal from the island.  Feral pigs have for many
years been causing serious resource impacts in the park.  The program began
in July, 1990; a contract for eradication activities went into effect in
March, 1991, and concluded last month.  Nearly 1,150 pigs have been removed
from the island since the program's inception - 455 by NPS personnel, 440
through contractor efforts, and an additional 250 by ranch personnel and
ranch guests under a hunting program authorized by a special use permit. 
Eradication strategies were varied and included ground searches, searches
with hounds, road surveys, limited trapping, night searches and aerial
searches.  Aerial searches were the most productive, followed by ground
searches and searches with hounds.  During the latter phases of contractor
efforts, searches with hounds were important for locating remaining animals
and instrumental to the success of the program.  A forward-looking infrared
(FLIR) system, used by NPS personnel during contract inspections, was
responsible for locating a pig which had eluded contractors for nearly two
months.  A final combined effort by contractors and NPS personnel in early
March accounted for the only two animals known to be remaining on the
island.  Monitoring efforts have been underway since then, and no signs of
pigs have been found.  [Kate Faulkner, CRM, CHIS]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Following Jim Brady's presentations at several regional chief ranger
meetings this spring, a number of people asked for a citation for the book
which Jim alluded to in his presentation.  That book is The Leadership
Challenge, by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.  

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin at law enforcement
conference, CA (4/27-4/28); Marriott at Operation North Star annual
conference, Seattle, WA (4/27-4/29); Sisto at meeting at Blue Ridge, NC
(4/28-4/30); Coffey on AL (4/28-4/29).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd at fire effects working team meeting,
Durham, NC (4/27-5/1);  Gale at ICS review at Assateague Island, MD, and on
annual leave (4/27-4/30).

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