RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Tuesday, March 9, 1993

Broadcast: By 0800 EST

INCIDENTS

93-104 - Coulee Dam (Washington) - Poaching; Endangered Species

On February 10th, North District rangers received a visitor report of a dead
bald eagle on park lands.  Investigation revealed that the eagle had been
shot with a high-powered rifle while it was sitting on a roost tree about
200 feet from a road.  A joint investigation by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife
Service and Washington Department of Wildlife is underway.  A $2,500 reward
is being offered by Fish and Wildlife.  [John Scott, DR, CODA, 3/8]

93-105 - C&O Canal (Maryland/D.C.) - Flooding

Heavy rain and high winds struck the Potomac River Basin late last week; the
resulting runoff, augmented by melting snow, led to the issuance of a flood
warning for the river and its tributaries.  The park activated its flood
emergency plan on March 5th and began closing most of the park at access
points along the river in anticipation of rising water.  Great Falls Tavern
was sandbagged, and the new bridges and boardwalk to Olmstead Island were
closed.  On March 6th, the Potomac crested at 12.34 feet at Little Falls
(2.34 feet above flood stage), and at 24.9 feet at Point of Rocks (8.9 feet
above flood stage).  The high water and warm weather brought thousands of
visitors out to the park and resulted in numerous incidents involving unsafe
visitor activities, closure violations, and traffic congestion.  Park
rangers and maintenance employees are currently assessing the damage
inflicted on the park.  Initial reports indicate that numerous locations
along the tow path have been breached, scoured and/or washed away.  [Kevin
FitzGerald, CR, CHOH, 3/8]

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.

March 11

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Energy and
Mineral Resources [Lehman]: Hearing on H.R. 322, 1872
Mining Law reform.

March 16

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands [Vento]: Hearings will be held on
the following bills: H.R. 295, to require the Secretary to
determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing
the Mission San Antonio de Padua (CA) as a unit of the
National Park System; H.R. 486, to provide for the
addition of the Truman Farm Home to Harry S Truman NHS;
H.R. 858, to provide for the rehabilitation of historic
structures within the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway NRA; H.R.
936, to amend the Boston NHP Act of 1974 to authorized a
cooperative agreement with Boston Public Library; H.R.
819, to revise the boundaries of George Washington
Birthplace NM.

March 18

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands [Vento]: Mark-up of H.R. 698, to
protect Lechugilla Cave and other resources and values in
and adjacent to Carlsbad Caverns NP.

March 25

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands [Vento]: Mark-ups of H.R. 295;
H.R. 486; H.R. 858; H.R. 936; H.R. 819.

April 1

House Merchant Marine Subcommittee on Environmental and
Natural Resources [Studds]: Hearing to consider how the
nation's biological resources are being managed and why
species dependent upon wetlands and public lands in
particular are still requiring listing under the
Endangered Species Act.

April 29

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior [Yates]:
Hearing on FY 94 appropriations for the NPS.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Dickerhoof at Park Police command
conference (3/8-3/12); Halainen at all-risk management training (3/8-3/11)
and uniform boot work group meeting (3/12).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Berg at WIMS training course (3/8-3/10); Cook
at hotshot crew workshop (3/8-3/12); Gale instructing at all-risk management
training course (3/8-3/12); Broyles at uniform boot work group meeting
(3/11-3/12).

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