- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, February 23, 1993
- Date: Tues, 23 Feb 1993
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Tuesday, February 23, 1993
Broadcast: By 0800 EST
INCIDENTS
93-59 - Hawaii Volcanoes (Hawaii) - Follow-up on Volcanic Activity
The pause in eruptive activity at the Puu O'o vent has ended. Early on the
evening of February 20th, reports were received of a new fissure opening in
the base of the Puu O'o cone. Fountains of from four to six meters in
height were reported. An overflight on the morning of February 21st
disclosed a rooster tail fountain about four meters high with a small lava
flow at its base. The flows do not appear to extend any great distance from
the fountain. The main tube system from Puu O'o has also become active,
with low volume flows at the edge of Holei Pali and some lava visible in
skylights on the face of the Pali. There is still very little to be seen by
visitors, which has given the park staff some respite from "eruption duty."
The situation is being monitored, and the eruption operational schedule will
be reinstated when visitor safety and interest levels warrant. [Jim Martin,
CR, HAVO, 2/22]
93-80 - Canaveral (Florida) - Missing Employee
On Thursday, February 18th, David Alan Dace, a maintenance employee who's
worked for the park for the past three years, failed to report for duty.
His vehicle was found inside the maintenance compound with his car keys,
post office box keys, and apartment keys locked inside. Dace's government
keys were found in the padlock which secures the gate to the compound.
Later that day, rangers found his apartment unlocked. Dace was last heard
from when he made a phone call to a friend saying that someone was following
him. A multi-agency search involving four federal and three local agencies
was begun on February 19th, and Dace was listed as a missing and possibly
endangered person. Late yesterday afternoon, Dace reappeared at the park in
good condition. Investigators are attempting to determine where he's been
for the past five days. Television, radio and newspaper coverage of the
search was extensive during that period. [Bill DeHart, CR, CANA, 2/22; Bill
Springer, RCR, RAD/SERO, 2/23]
93-81 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Contractor Fatality
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on February 20th, US West Communications employee
F.C.F. collapsed while returning to his snowmobile after working on
a power outage about a half mile from East Rim Drive. F.C.F. was found
unconscious and lying face down in the snow by Arizona Public Service
workers, who contacted park dispatch. Rangers responded and treated F.C.F.
as a victim of full cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at the park
clinic just after 11 p.m. [Dan Kirschner, GRCA, 2/22]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No field reports today.
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 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.
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior [Yates]:
Hearing on the administration's economic stimulus package.
March 2
House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands [Vento]: Hearing on H.R. 698, to
protect Lechiguilla Cave and other resources and values in
and adjacent to Carlsbad Caverns.
March 4
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee [Glenn]: Hearing on
the failure of the Federal government to provide adequate
budgeting for its own environmental programs, focusing on
the Department of Interior.
House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands [Vento]: Oversight hearing on the
NPS focusing on budget accountability and financial
management [rescheduled from February 25th].
April 14
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior [Yates]:
Hearing on FY 94 appropriations for the NPS.
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady at ARD/Operations meeting (2/23-2/26).
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Halainen and Sisto at
Congressional orientation course (2/24).
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Spruill at NPS aviation accident review board
meeting (2/22-2/26); Gale at meeting in ARO (2/22-2/25) and instructing at
all-risk training course (2/26-2/28); Broyles and Bristol at training and
safety and health conferences (2/21-3/2).
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