RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, March 3, 1993

Broadcast: By 0800 EST

INCIDENTS

93-97 - Rocky Mountain (Colorado) - Employee Death

Park employee Blythe Leidig, 28, died on an apparent heart attack while on a
ski trip with friends at the Winter Park ski area west of Denver on February
28th.  Blythe started her government career with the U.S. Forest Service in
1986.  In July, 1991, she was hired as an administrative clerk in the park's
auto shop and received a sustained superior performance award the following
January.  The park has submitted the following remembrance: "Blythe was an
accomplished cyclist and had competed in numerous amateur and semi-
professional events.  Blythe will be remembered as a positive, upbeat person
who enjoyed people."  A memorial fund has been set up through the Rocky
Mountain Nature Association in care of the park (Rocky Mountain NP, Estes
Park, CO 80517).  [Kris Holien, ROMO, 3/2]

93-98 - Klondike Goldrush (Alaska) - Commercial Use Violations

Last summer, ranger Jeffery Mow began efforts to gain compliance from
commercial operators illegally using the Chilkoot Trail.  Foreign companies
were guiding clients on tours of the park without permits; when challenged
by rangers, group representatives claimed that they were just visiting the
park with friends.  This problem is pervasive throughout the region and
presents a serious concern because such groups receive no pre-visit
briefings on safety and regulations and because there's no way of
determining whether or not they are insured.  Moreover, many of these
commercial firms operate in a number of parks.  Mow's objectives were to
concentrate on companies that had ignored previous warnings and to send a
message to other such firms operating in Alaska.  Mow covertly queried
German and Swiss companies by phone about guided hikes in Klondike Goldrush,
using German-speaking callers when necessary.  He corroborated the
commercial aspects of their operations by tracing rental car records and
Alaska Tourism Department records.  Just prior to issuing repeat offender
Viking Travel a citation, Mow contacted the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) concerning foreign firms doing business in the
United States in violation of federal regulations.  INS provided excellent
support and agreed to refuse entry to illegally-guided groups, turning them
back at the port-of-entry and sending them back to Europe.  Armed with INS
cooperation, Mow was in a good position to work plea bargains with two
foreign firms that had clients headed for the U.S.  Viking Travel of
Germany, which also operates in Yellowstone, Wrangell-St. Elias and Denali,
agreed to a $10,000 fine, two years' probation, and suspension of $6,500 of
the fine if they continue to comply with regulations.  Because there was not
as much documentation of illegal activity by Intertreck of Switzerland, the
settlement with that company consisted of a $500 fine, with $200 suspended
after two years' probation.  Mow also worked with the Alaska Tourism
Department to get the word out.  The regional concessions office has already
fielded numerous calls from guide firms asking how to obtain permits. 
[Steve Shackelton, RLES, RAD/ARO, 3/2]

93-99 - Vicksburg (Mississippi) - MVA; Employee Injury

A park work crew was returning to the park via North Frontage Road when a
vehicle went through a red light and struck their crew cab in the left front
quarter.  Park employee Willie Carter was thrown sideways into the passenger
door and window and was taken to a regional hospital with neck and back
spasms and severe headaches.  X-rays were negative, and Carter was
prescribed medication and later released.  The occupants of the other
vehicle were treated for neck and chest spasms and released.  The vehicle's
operator was issued citations for failure to yield right-of-way and for
driving while suspended under an implied consent law.  He was under
suspension for two prior DUI convictions.  [Superintendent, VICK, 3/1]

NOTES

1) Correction:  The hearing on FY 94 appropriations for the NPS to be held
by the House Appropriations Committee's Interior Subcommittee has been moved
from April 14th to April 29th.  [Geary Fischer, Budget/WASO]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at Southwest Region chief rangers' conference (3/33/5).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Dickerhoof at law enforcement
refresher (3/1-3/3).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Broyles and Bristol at training and safety and
health conferences (3/1-3/2); Broyles at NFPA quals committee meeting (3/3-
3/5).

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