RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Thursday, April 30, 1992

INCIDENTS

90-109 - Gulf Islands (Mississippi/Florida) - Follow-up on M. Homicide

The U.S. Attorney has filed a 49-page brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of
Appeals in reply to District Judge Gex's December rulings on motions put
forth by Bruner and Woolard in which the judge struck the death penalty as
possible punishment should the defendants be found guilty in federal court. 
The brief cited 84 cases, 15 statutes, eight rules and four Constitutional
amendments and challenged Judge Gex on several issues.  It's not known at
this time when the Fifth Circuit will rule on the government's motions. 
[CompuServe message from Gene Phillips, CR, GUIS, 4/29]

92-153 - Coronado (Arizona) - Drug Seizure

Acting on a tip from an informant, a ranger working with the local drug task
force seized 442 pounds of marijuana in the park on April 27th.  The seizure
is believed to be part of a larger shipment, as over 800 pounds of marijuana
were seized by the Border Patrol outside the park earlier the same day.  The
drugs were probably backpacked across the border and stashed for later
pickup.  No arrests have been made in either seizure.  [SEAdog message from
Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/28]

92-154 - Denali (Alaska) - Bear Harassment and Poaching

On April 9th, a hunting guide flying near the boundary of the park contacted
state troopers and reported that he'd seen two men on dark snowmobiles
chasing a large, dark-colored grizzly bear inside the park.  Within hours of
the report, rangers had flown the area and located an exhausted but alive
bear.  Although no snowmobiles were spotted, evidence indicated that the
bear had probably been harassed.  On the following morning, rangers received
and confirmed a report that the bear had been killed and skinned on the
evening of the 9th.  On April 11th, rangers Jim Phillips, Darryl Miller and
J.D.S. snowmobiled to the site and found that the bear's head,
hide, feet and gall bladder had been removed by the poachers.  Two hours
after alerting local taxidermists and state troopers, a hide matching the
description of the one taken from the bear was identified and reported.  The
hide and head were seized by state troopers and turned over to Phillips. 
The park's high-altitude Lama helicopter was employed to long-line the
carcass out; it was then sent to the state crime lab.  On April 24th, a
positive match between the hide and carcass was made.  Reconstruction
indicates that the bear was 22 to 25 years old, weighed about 1,000 pounds
and measured 9'6".  Warrants are pending and should be executed within the
next few days.  Investigators believe that this incident is linked to gall
bladder trafficking to oriental countries from Alaska.  [J.D. Swed, DENA,
via telefax from C-C. Stroble, RAD/ARO, 4/29]

92-155 - Padre Island (Texas) - Drug Seizure and Arrests

On April 29th, rangers Dan Wirth and Paul Hindman observed a drug
transaction in an area of the park known for a high incidence of drug cases,
and, with the assistance of Customs agents, subsequently arrested three
individuals and seized 91 pounds of marijuana.  Two vehicles were also
seized, and forfeitures will be sought on behalf of the park.  All three of
the persons arrested are known habitual felons.  [T.L. McDaniel, PAIS, via
telefax from Jim Radney, RAD/SWRO, 4/29]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Delaware Water Gap (Pennsylvania/New Jersey) - Human Remains Found

A park contracted archeological crew conducting a survey in the New Jersey
District found and reported what appeared to be human skeletal remains
adjacent to the outflow side of a culvert along Old Mine Road on April 24th. 
Park investigators, assisted by archeologist Allen Cooper from MARO, New
Jersey state police investigators and the Sussex County coroner, believe
that the remains were partially uncovered about two months ago when the
culvert was cleaned out by a park maintenance crew using a backhoe, then
became fully visible after recent rains washed away covering soil.  It's
believed that the remains are from 100 to 200 years old and are of a Native
American or European; artifacts found at the location suggest the former. 
Arrangements are being made to have the remains analyzed by a forensic
anthropologist.  [Bob Wilson, LES, DEWA]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Marriott at Operation North Star
annual conference, Seattle, WA (4/27-4/29).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Gale 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