RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Monday, December 14, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-642 - East Coast Areas - Winter Storm Impacts

On December 10th and 11th, a winter storm which has been characterized as
the worst of its kind this century pounded the Eastern seaboard and had
serious impacts on a number of parks, particularly in North Atlantic Region. 
The following reports came in on Friday afternoon; updates will appear as
soon as these and other parks are contacted today.

* Gateway - The superintendent reported that high winds were uprooting
trees, and that extremely high tides had caused flooding at the northern end
of the Breezy Point Unit.  The Park Police docks at Rockaway Coast Guard
were underwater.  The Riis Park Bath House was flooded.  High winds and
extremely high tides submerged a portion of the entrance road to Sandy Hook;
the park accordingly evacuated all employees.

* Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island - The park was closed because of flooding
and debris which had been washed onto the islands by extremely high tides.

* Cape Cod - High winds and higher than normal tides occurred on Friday, but
no storm damage was being reported at that time.  Beaches were closed to
pedestrian access.

* Fire Island - The superintendent reported that high winds and extremely
high tides caused damage to park boardwalks and a marina.  Park housing may
also have been damaged, but housing areas were inaccessible at the time of
the report because of very high tides.

* Appomattox - Icy roads and trails forced the park to close early on
Thursday.  The same conditions resulted in the loss of hundreds of tree
limbs throughout the village area.  

* Hopewell Furnace - The park reports a number of downed trees, one of which
damaged a wooden fence.  No other structural damage was reported.

[Bob Ditolla and John Lynch, RAD/NARO, Derrick Cook, Superintendent, HOFU,
Jon Montgomery, Superintendent, APCO, 12/11]

92-643 - Vicksburg (Mississippi) - Burglary

At about 7 a.m. on the morning of December 1st, park maintenance employees
discovered that the Fort Hill entrance station had been burglarized.  A
person or persons gained entry to the station by shattering the building's
large double pane sliding glass door and stole a Sharp electronic cash
register valued at about $850.  There was no money in the cash register at
the time, and the drawer was open.  No other items were taken; a calculator
and radio charger next to the register were left untouched.  Vicksburg PD
detectives processed the scene for latent prints, and rangers have contacted
all local pawn shops and second hand retailers with information on the
missing cash register.  Damage to the entrance station door was repaired at
a cost of $210.  The investigation is continuing.  [VICK, 12/11]

92-644 - Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) - Apparent Drowning

On the afternoon of December 2nd, the body of M.M., 60, of
Wayland, Massachusetts, was found in the water at the north end of Cinnamon
Bay Beach.  All efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.  M.M. appears
to have drowned.  [Paul Thomas, Acting Superintendent, VIIS, 12/7]

92-645 - Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) - MVA with Fatality

D.L., 23, of Coral Bay, St. John, was driving on North Shore Road
on the afternoon of November 24th when he lost control of his vehicle and
went over an embankment at the turn-off to Francis Bay.  D.L. died of
injuries sustained in the accident.  There were no witnesses.  [Paul Thomas,
Acting Superintendent, VIIS, 12/7]

92-646 - Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) - Drug Arrest

Rangers arrested P.C., 21, for possession of a controlled
substance on the afternoon of December 3rd.  P.C. was spotted sitting on
Solomon Beach, pouring a green substance onto a piece of white paper.  Upon
investigation, rangers found that he was in possession of a bag of marijuana
and 55 bags of crack cocaine.  [Paul Thomas, Acting Superintendent, VIIS,
12/7]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at Branch of R&VP annual planning meeting (12/15-12/16).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: All staff at annual planning
meeting (12/15-12/16); Kreis on annual leave (12/15-1/7).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Update pending.

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