RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, November 25, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-619 - Big Hole (Montana) - Recovery of Stolen Artifact

Twenty years ago, burglars stole a priceless and sacred ceremonial pipe,
stem and beaded buckskin bag belonging to Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce from
a park facility.  In September, 1990, superintendent Jock Whitworth learned
of the whereabouts of the pipe through a concerned informant.  Since it was
in St. George, Utah, Whitworth sought assistance from rangers at Zion.  Pat
Buccello, that park's ARPA investigator, recovered the pipe and stem with
the assistance of an FBI agent on December 26, 1990, but no one ever
admitted to having seen or knowing the location of the bag.  Five suspects
were indicted for conspiracy to conceal stolen federal property; one of the
five went to trial, and the remainder agreed to testify in lieu of
prosecution.  It was determined that one of the defendants had been
implicated in the Big Hole burglary, and investigators subsequently obtained
information which allowed them to continue the investigation into the bag's
location.  When the suspect returned from a year in Antarctica, he was
interviewed by Buccello and Whitworth.  Two weeks later, on this past
November 18th, Whitworth received a package in the mail which contained the
pipe bag.  The recovery of the artifacts came about through the persistent
efforts of NPS investigators supported by the ARPA task force and the
regional chief ranger's office.  [Jock Whitworth, Superintendent, BIHO,
11/20]

                [More pending incidents tomorrow...]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Yellowstone (Wyoming) - Research Well Failure

On November 5th, a park employee discovered that a research well in Upper
Geyser Basin which had been drilled in 1967 was venting substantial amounts
of steam and hot water (about 35 gallons/minute).  The well, one of 13
drilled in 1967 and 1968 by USGS, is approximately 503 feet deep, and was
drilled as part of a research project to help understand the geothermal
dynamics of the aquifers beneath the park.  The well was cased and capped,
but either the casing or cap has apparently failed and will need to be
replaced or repaired in order to stop the flow of water and steam.  The
venting does not seem to have affected any thermal features in the area, but
the basin is being monitored closely for any changes.  A technical expert
from USGS was to evaluate the situation and determine what action the agency
should take.  [Marsha Karle, PIO, YELL, 11/6]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Update of Correction - The typographical errors made in the report on the
deer incident at Gettysburg occurred in reformulating the report here in
Ranger Activities, not at Gettysburg.  Their report was clear.  It was the
WASO clarification that was in error. [Bill Halainen, RAD/WASO]

Successful 20-Year Retirement Claim - Special Agent David Montalbano of
the Forest Service, a former NPS employee, has received confirmation from
OPM that his claim for credit under 5 USC 8336(c) has been approved for his
NPS employment while a ranger at Indiana Dunes (primary coverage from 6/78
to 5/84) and while an instructor at FLETC (secondary coverage from 5/84 to
11/84).  These periods are the total time that he claimed for service in the
NPS; he is now in a covered position in the USFS.  Montalbano's was based
almost entirely upon either investigative responsibilities or management/
instructor responsibilities that required an investigative background. 
While his claim is among the first we know of to have been successfully
resolved, it should not necessarily be interpreted as an indicator of how
other claims will be resolved, since his claim and supporting documentation
specifically focused on investigative duties rather than patrol or police-type
duties.  [Paul Berkowitz, RAD/WASO]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at Alaska chief rangers' conference and meetings in
ARO (11/23-11/27).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Henry and Sisto on AL (11/27).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd on AL (11/27); Erskine and Broyles on AL
(11/23-11/27).

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