RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Friday, November 13, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-602 - Everglades (Florida) - Serious Boating Accident

On the afternoon of November 8th, W.W., 58, was travelling north
near Rabbit Key when he lost control of his 17-foot open boat.  The boat
took a violent turn to the right, ejecting six-year-old B.D.
over the boat's left side, then circled around and ran over him.  B.D.
was hit by both the hull and propeller, and sustained lacerations to the
right side of his torso, broken ribs, a punctured right lung, evisceration,
kidney damage, and a broken and partially severed right leg.  The boy's
father, D.D., 25, pulled him from the water.  The boy was taken
to Chokoloskee Island and was subsequently transported to a hospital in
Naples, Florida, where he is in critical but stable condition.  During an
interview with W.W., rangers learned that the vessel was being steered with
a make-shift tiller (an aluminum pipe attached to the motor), which slipped
off its mounting while W.W. was making a turn.  The accident is being
investigated by rangers and Florida Marine Patrol officers.  [Kevin
FitzGerald, EVER, 11/10] 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Bering Land Bridge (Alaska) - Gyrfalcon Study

As part of the Beringia science effort, region has begun a study of
gyrfalcons on the Seward Peninsula.  Unlike other raptors, gyrfalcons remain
in the Arctic over the winter; although little is known about the dispersal
of young birds, some band returns from Siberia and northern Japan in the
1970s suggested that the Seward Peninsula and eastern Asia may share an
intercontinental population.  Small satellite transmitters were placed on
four young birds to monitor their movements during their first year out of
the nest.  One of the birds immediately crossed the Bering Straits,
continued another 200 miles into Siberia, then returned to Alaska and is now
in Ugashik Bay south of King Salmon.  Its nestmate has left the Seward
Peninsula and is south of Bethel on the coast.  Researchers have lost
contact with one bird, and the remaining gyrfalcon is on the north coast of
the peninsula.  [Layne Adams, ARO]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Entrance Fee Increases - Effective January 1, 1993, entrance fees will be
increased at 126 entrance fee parks within existing fee maximums established
by law.  The new fee schedule is as follows:

   Former Fees:                  Current Fees:              Annual
Vehicle and Person            Vehicle and Person           Park Pass

   $10  -  $4                     No change                   $15
    $5  -  $2                     $5  -  $3                   $15
    $3  -  $1                     $4  -  $2                   $10
     *  -  $3                     No change                   $15
     *  -  $2                     No change                   $10
     *  -  $1                        $2                       $10

On November 6th, a notice to this effect was published in the Federal
Register.  Regional Directors are being notified by memorandum.  WASO Public
Affairs is preparing a news media release on the increases.  [Wes Kreis,
RAD/WASO]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at Western Region chief rangers' conference (11/911/13).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Berkowitz at Western Region chief
rangers' conference (11/10-11/13).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Norum and Broyles at NWCG working team meeting
(11/10-11/13); Farrel at structural fire review at Joshua Tree (11/9-11/10)
and at Western Region chief rangers' conference (11/11-11/12).

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

cc:Mail     Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation