RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, December 23, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-494 - Minute Man (Massachusetts) - Follow-up on Marijuana Arrest

D.H., 25, and J.S., 23, were convicted in state district
court on November 16th for illegal possession of a Class D substance and
were placed on probation for six months.  A second charge of cultivation of
a Class D substance was continued without a finding based upon an admission
of sufficient facts and resulted in $500 fines for each defendant.  The two
men were arrested on September 6th following a week-long surveillance of a
marijuana patch in the park.  [Dan Dattilio, CR, MIMA, 12/22]

92-621 - Wrangell-St.Elias (Alaska) - Follow-up on Poaching Convictions

On November 25th, M.S., 43, and R.P., 45, pled guilty
to charges of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act for hunting and killing a
wolf in the park.  Each man agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and serve two years
probation.  The money will be placed in a park fund used to assist in
wildlife education and enforcement.  While on aerial patrol last January,
ranger Jim Hannah spotted three Super Cub aircraft parked on a snow-covered
bar on the Bremner River.  Nearby were three dead animals and three men on
snowshoes.  Because of the short landing area, Hannah was unable to land, so
he videotaped the scene from the air.  The three aircraft then departed,
flying in different directions.  One was followed and twice flew into clouds
in an attempt to escape.  Because of the mountainous terrain and dangerous
flying conditions, Hannah ended his pursuit.  The other two aircraft were
located and a radio conversation between the two pilots was recorded which
eventually lead to the charge of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. 
Further investigation at the scene led to the discovery of a set of wolf
tracks sprinkled with what was later determined by a USFWS forensics lab to
be wolf blood.  A rifle belonging to R.P. was also found at the scene.  A
third man, R.B., is a suspect in the case and has been charged
with possession of unlawfully taken wildlife and conspiracy to violate the
Lacey Act.  His trial is scheduled for January 4th.  [John Quinley, PIO,
ARO, 12/17]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Correction - The cover memo transmitting the incident code files to all
park and regional chief rangers yesterday had a typo in Joe Smith's phone
number.  It is 202-208-6381, not 202-206-6381.  

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady on AL (12/21-1/3).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin (12/21-1/3), Kreis
(12/17-1/7), Marriott (12/23-1/3), and Henry (12/24) on annual leave.

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Erskine (12/21-1/3) and Broyles (12/21-1/3) on
annual leave.