RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Release:   0800 EDT

Day/Date:  Tuesday, December 8, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-635 - C&O Canal (Maryland/D.C.) - Weapons and Poaching Arrests

For the second year in a row, park rangers and Park Police officers have
joined together in a cooperative hunting enforcement operation that has led
to a number of weapons and poaching arrests.  During the operation, two-person
units, each comprised of a ranger and an officer, patrolled sections
of the park.  Among the incidents the teams were involved in were the
following, all of which took place on park land:

* November 26th:

- Observed two men walking on the canal towpath with shotguns and a compound
  bow near Milepost 24.  All weapons were seized and their owners cited.

* November 27th:

- While on duck hunting patrol on the Potomac River, apprehended two men
  who had set up a duck blind on park land and were hunting from that
  location.  Weapons were seized and the men were cited for illegal hunting
  and possession of weapons.

* November 28th:

- Contacted a person on the canal towpath near Sycamore Landing, cited him
  for possession of a loaded shotgun, and seized the weapon.
- Cited a hunter near Milepost 38 for illegal hunting and possession of a
  loaded weapon, which was seized.
- Discovered a hunter at a tree stand in the woods near the Monocacy with a
  loaded weapon and a freshly killed deer.  All items were seized and
  the hunter was cited.
- Contacted and cited a man who had driven off the road in an area known for
  spotlighting of deer.  A loaded .22 caliber rifle was found in the vehicle
  during a consent search.  
- Contacted a man who walked out of the woods with a shotgun at the
  Edward's Ferry parking lot; cited him for possession of a weapon and
  seized the shotgun.

* November 30th:

- Again contacted a man coming out of the woods near Edward's Ferry with
  a loaded shotgun.  It was seized and he was cited for possession of a
  loaded weapon.

[Tom Nash, DR, CHOH, 12/7]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Saguaro (Arizona) - Demise of Ancient Saguaro

The largest saguaro cactus in the park, known as "Granddaddy", is dying. 
The 300-year-old cactus, which is located on a remote trail in the Rincon
Mountain District, is approximately 40 feet tall and has about 45 mature
arms.  On October 24th, a volunteer noticed decay on the saguaro and
reported it to park staff, who found that a section of one of the arms had
fallen and that a brown liquid was oozing from the saguaro's base.  The
cause of death is unknown, but the liquid is a sign that bacterial necrosis,
a fatal decomposition of the plant's tissues, has already set in.  Science
and resource management staff plan to monitor and photograph the saguaro on
a weekly basis to record what happens as it dies.  It is not known how long
it will stand.  [Barbara Hermann, SAGU]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Henry at Grand Canyon overflight
workshop and planning session (12/7-12/8); Lee on annual leave (12/7-12/8).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Erskine at BLM regional FMO meeting (12/9-12/11);
Norum instructing RX590 (11/30-12/11); Gale with work group
developing all-risk emergency handbook (12/7-12/11).

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