RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Tuesday, February 9, 1993

Broadcast: By 0800 EST

INCIDENTS

93-53 - Rocky Mountain (Colorado) - Climbing Fatality

C.S., 30, a climbing instructor and guide from Boulder, slipped on
the snow while descending the north face of Longs Peak and fell about 400
feet to his death on February 3rd.  C.S. and a companion, T.C., also
of Boulder, had just finished a climb that stretched over four nights when
the accident occurred, and T.C. told rangers that he believed fatigue was a
factor.  The two men had successfully negotiated the D-7 route up the east
side of the Diamond, the name given to the 1,800-foot east face of Longs
Peak.  After nearly reaching the summit of the Diamond, they had traversed
across to the north face to begin their descent.  Light snow had fallen and
made rock surfaces slippery, and C.S. lost his footing and fell.  He was
able to temporarily halt his slide by digging an ice axe into the snow, but
was unable to maintain his grip.  C.S. was carrying a backpack that
weighed about 85 pounds.  T.C. and another climber were able to reach
C.S.'s body and reported the accident at the Longs Peak ranger station
late that afternoon.  The body was removed by helicopter from the Upper
Boulderfield at the 12,800-foot level the next day.  C.S., who had been
doing some private guiding and mountaineering instruction, was an instructor
for several years with the National Outdoor Leadership School.  The park
staff normally deals with about four fatalities in any given year.  Last
year, there were nine deaths, five of which were related to rock-climbing or
hiking.  [Douglas Caldwell, ROMO, and newspaper reports, 2/5 and 2/8]

93-54 - National Capital Parks (D.C.) - Assailant Shot by USPP Officer

Just after midnight on Saturday, February 6th, an off-duty Park Police
officer was inside a club in northwest Washington when a fight broke out. 
The officer saw one of the combatants draw a pistol from his waistband, then
chase the other person around the crowded club.  The assailant fired several
shots, at least one of which struck the victim, who fell to the floor.  The
assailant then began to walk through the club with the pistol in his hand. 
The off-duty officer yelled to the patrons to get down and identified
himself.  The assailant then turned towards the officer and started to point
his pistol in the officer's direction.  The officer fired two rounds from
his Service issued 9mm pistol, striking the assailant.  The officer then
recovered the assailant's weapon.  The two shooting victims were transported
to Medstar, where both were admitted in serious condition.  The incident is
being jointly investigated by Park Police and city detectives.  The officer
has been placed in routine administrative leave status.  Release of names
has not been authorized.  [Lt. John Harasek, USPP, 2/9]

93-55 - New River Gorge (West Virginia) - Assist on Structural Fires

The park received a mutual aid request for assistance on a wildland fire in
the Piney Creek drainage in the middle section of the park on February 3rd. 
At the time of the request, the fire was within a quarter mile of the park's
boundary and was threatening structures.  The fire was well within the
park's initial attack zone, and eight park firefighters responded with two
Type VII engines.  The fire was held to 12 acres, but not before it burned
two structures valued at $17,000.  This was the second fire of the day (the
first was 30 acres) for park fire crews, and the third in two days. 
Conditions in the area have been very dry and windy; 32 wildland fires
occurred in the counties surrounding the park in the first four days of the
month.  [Bill Blake, CR, NERI, 2/5]

93-56 - Valley Forge (Pennsylvania) - Demonstration and Arrest

On February 6th, approximately 50 people belonging to a group called the
Bicycle Coalition of Pennsylvania held a demonstration on the north end of
the Old Betzwood Bridge to protest the closure of the bridge to bike traffic
due to safety reasons.  The bridge, which crosses the Schuylkill River on
the park's boundary, has been closed since the fall of 1991 when state
engineers declared it unsafe due to structural defects.  In January, the
state fenced the ends of the bridge with chain link fencing.  At the request
of West Norriton police, five rangers responded to assist in controlling the
demonstration.  During the course of the 90 minute demonstration, two of the
rangers assisted in the arrest of a man who attempted to cut the fence.  The
man was charged by West Norriton police.  [Earl Cram, Acting CR, VAFO, 2/8]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Twenty-Year Retirement - Over the past week, several employees have
received adjudicated responses to their claims for enhanced retirement under
the law enforcement retirement system ( 5 USC 8336(c)).  In most cases, the
claims have been denied on the grounds that ranger work did not meet the
criteria for 6c coverage.  The packages submitted were some of the best that
NPS rangers have prepared.  In order to pursue this matter further, we would
like copies of the letters that you received from OPM and copies of the
recommendation letters that the NPS and Department of Interior sent over
with your packages.  Please fax (numbers below) or mail them (Ranger
Activities, Stop 3310, NPS, Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127) to my
attention.  [Bob Marriott, RAD/WASO]

2) Endangered Species - The Wildlife and Vegetation Division in WASO has
extra copies of the Fish and Wildlife Service's 1991 report to Congress on
the status of the endangered species program.  This document gives an
individual summary of progress being made towards recovery for each species,
including those in national parks.  For a copy, call Gary Johnston at 202-
343-8115.  [Margaret Osborne, WASO Planning]

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming
weeks on matters pertaining to the National Park Service.  If you would like
further information on any of these hearings or bills, please contact Dottie
in WASO Legislation at 202-208-3636.

February 16

House Natural Resources Committee [Miller]: Oversight hearing on the
Department of Interior with Secretary Babbitt.

February 18

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public
Lands [Vento]: Oversight hearing on the American Conservation Youth Services
Corps Act to determine how the program is operating after two years of
funding.

February 23

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Native American Affairs
[Richardson]: Oversight hearing on the proposed American Indian Religious
Freedom Act and two recent Supreme Court decisions relating to access to
sacred sites and the use of peyote.

February 25

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public
Lands [Vento]: Oversight hearing on the NPS focusing on budget
accountability and financial management.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady attending meetings in MARO and NARO (2/8-2/10).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin at MAR chief rangers'
conference (2/9-2/10); Berkowitz at conservation law enforcement conference
(2/12-2/22); Sisto on AL (2/8-2/10).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd at aviation management council meeting
(2/10); Spruill at same meeting (2/9-2/10); Gale instructing I-520/I-620
(2/1-2/12).  [Note: The entire staff will be attending a workshop outside of
Boise from 2/16-2/18 and will not be available except for emergencies during
that period].

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
Telefax:   Branch of R&VP - 202-208-6756
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5977
cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation

                       UPDATE:
              IMPLEMENTING THE VAIL AGENDA
                   FEBRUARY 9, 1993

Today's report contains a summary description of the full Vail agenda
implementation plan.  It includes eight goals to guide implementation,
with specific action items under each goal.  The actions are organizaed
according to the symposium's four issue and policy areas: Resource
Stewardship, Environmental Leadership, Park Use and Enjoyment, and
Organizational Renewal.  We are also listing the names of senior managers
who are responsible for implementation of these actions.

GOAL 1: DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.

#1 Revise NPS management planning to emphasize resource inventory and
evaluation (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers).

#2 Evaluate organizational structures and staffing for natural and
cultural resource management to promote improved consistency between
WASO, regions and parks (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers, Stan Albright).

#3 Evaluate organizational structures and staffing for social sciences
and develop strategies to integrate into Servicewide decision-making
(Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers).

#4 Provide a scientific and professional foundation for managing
natural and cultural resources (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers).

#5 Promote sound ecological and cultural resource management of NPS
resources and develop visitor use policies consistent with such
management (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers).

#6 Develop more effective data management systems and integrate into
resource management programs (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers).

#7 Identify and analyze natural, cultural, and social science training
needs in the parks, regions and WASO (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers,
with Ed Davis, Flip Hagood).

GOAL 2: PROMOTE MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF PROTECTION AUTHORITIES AND SEEK
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION IF NECESSARY.

#1 Develop summary of all protection tools and distribute (Gene Hester,
Jerry Rogers).

#2 Initiate intensive training of park managers in resource protection
tools and techniques (Gene Hester, Jerry Rogers, Deny Galvin, Flip
Hagood).

#3 Review tools needed to address external problems (Gene Hester, Jerry
Rogers).

GOAL 3: FOSTER AND SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFY AND
PROTECT SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AND CULTURAL AND OUTDOOR RESOURCES NATIONWIDE.

#1 Develop an integrated, strategic program and budget proposal for
non-park programs and a grassroots planning process to save the
diversity of America's heritage (Gerry Patten, with Deny Galvin,
Kate Stevenson, Jerry Rogers, and Jim Coleman).

#2 Form new partnerships to further NPS mission (Jerry Rogers, with by
Bill Walters, Bob MacIntosh, Nancy Nelson and Jim Coleman).

#3 Revise theme structures, new area studies and national landmark
programs (Deny Galvin, with Jerry Rogers and Bob Baker).

GOAL 4: DEVELOP NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP BY "LEADING BY
EXAMPLE" AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SERVICE.

#1 Develop an integrated, proactive policy, legislative and budget
program (Gerry Patten, with John Cook, Joe Gorrell and Maureen
Finnerty).

#2 Institute forums to explore new approaches to furthering NPS mission
(Bob Baker, with Nancy Nelson and Ernest Ortega).

#3 Develop a comprehensive NPS communications plan (John Cook, with Bob
Baker, Dave Wright, George Berklacy, Maureen Finnerty and Loran
Fraser).

4 Establish prototypes of programs which demonstrate environmental
leadership (John Reynolds, with Bob Baker and Maureen Finnerty).

GOAL 5: DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR DELIVERING INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS TO A CULTURALLY DIVERSE AUDIENCE, INCLUDING BOTH IN-PARK AND OUT-
OF-PARK PUBLICS.

#1-A Assess the role that park employees, concessions, and cooperators
should perform in delivering information and develop implementation
strategy; and

#1-B Offer all visitors basic orientation and interpretation (Jack Davis,
John Debo, Corky Mayo).

#1-C Utilize modern communications technology; and 

#1-D Establish a tourist information database (Jack Davis, Chuck
Odegaard, Dave Wright).

#1-E Interpret park resources to culturally diverse audiences and provide
transportation to youth of neighboring communities; 

#1-F Educate visitors to minimize impacts on resources; 

#1-G Integrate research findings and current environmental issues into
interpretive programs; 

#1-H Integrate multiple points of view in programs; and 

#1-I Develop a comprehensive approach to educational outreach to schools
and community groups (Jack Davis, Bob Stanton, Bob Chandler).

GOAL 6: UNDERTAKE A SYSTEMWIDE ANALYSIS OF VISITOR IMPACTS ON PARK
RESOURCES AND DETERMINE APPROACHES TO MINIMIZE THROUGH FACILITY PLANNING,
DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE.

#2-A Understand and manage visitor impacts: integrate visitor-based
perspectives into decision-making; identify units where crowding
exists and recommend mitigation; undertake experimental programs
where alternative techniques to minimize impacts can be applied; and
recommend where alternative visitor transportation systems could
alleviate impacts (Denis Galvin). 

#2-B Undertake pilot projects to assist gateway communities with land use
and visitor facility planning (Denis Galvin).

#2-C Explore and implement innovative planning and design that minimizes
impacts on parks: use the concept of "sustainability" in facility
location and scale and in evaluations of need and usefulness of
existing roads, trails and other facilities (Galvin).

GOAL 7: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT WITH APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT.  DEVELOP
MECHANISMS TO IDENTIFY AND NURTURE MID- AND SENIOR-LEVEL EMPLOYEES FOR
LEADERSHIP.

#1 Develop strategy to evaluate select occupational series - ranger,
administrative officer, and facility manager. (Ed Davis, assisted by
Don Castleberry, Marie Rust, Jim Coleman).

#2 Analyze the status of management work force and project vacancies
(Ed Davis, Mario Fraire).

#3 Identify skills needed to perform at management levels (Ed Davis,
Lucia Bragan).

#4 Conduct a comprehensive review of recruitment (Ed Davis, Charlie
Powell).

#5 Identify minimum competencies for each position at each grade and
develop training tied to career progression (Ed Davis, Al Werking,
John Mussare).

#6 Examine the system of administering training and modify to support
the new career management plan (Ed Davis, Rick Smith).

GOAL 8: CONDUCT PILOT AUDITS OF FUNCTIONS PERFORMED IN PARKS, REGIONS,
SERVICE CENTERS, AND HEADQUARTERS, AND ESTABLISH STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND
DETERMINE THE REAL COSTS OF THOSE SERVICES.

#1 Develop an audit system and select pilot parks auditing projects;
design a system for defining standards of performance (Ed Davis,
John King, Bob Baker).

#2 Examine delegations of authority through agency (Ed Davis, Dick
Powers).

#3 Evaluate the effectiveness of MMS (Ed Davis).

#4 Prepare an overview of funding mechanisms (Ed Davis, Rory Westberg).

#5 Conduct a review of WR R-Map (Ed Davis, Tom Ritter).