RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Tuesday, April 27, 1993

Broadcast: By 0830 ET

INCIDENTS

93-49 - Prince William Forest (Virginia) - Follow-up on Attempted Poaching

On April 9th, R.Y. pled guilty to several charges - discharging a
weapon, employing artificial light to view wildlife, and vandalism -
stemming from an incident in which he shot a deer decoy along Route 619. 
R.Y. was sentenced to one year in probation and must participate in an
alcohol counseling program which he must pay for.  He was also barred from
entering the park for a year and must pay $230 in restitution to the park
within 90 days to cover the cost of replacing the deer decoy which he shot. 
A fine of $110 for each violation was also added to the sentence.  R.Y. was
permitted to keep his shotgun because it was a family heirloom.  The
assistant U.S. attorney dismissed the charges of unauthorized taking of
wildlife and use of a weapons to cause endangerment.  [Ken Kelley, RAD/NCRO,
4/26]

93-208 - Shenandoah (Virginia) - MVA with Fatality

J.G., 23, of Westville, New Jersey, was driving his Suzuki
motorcycle southbound on Skyline Drive around noon on April 24th when he
left the road on a curve, struck a highway sign (fourth of four curve
chevrons), and hit a tree.  Park medics and county rescue squad cardiac
technicians attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead by medical
command based upon patient assessment information radioed in while en route
to the hospital.  Rangers are investigating the possibility that speed was
the primary factor in the accident.  Ranger Janice Pauley is the lead
investigator.  [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/24]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Fossil Butte (Wyoming) - Pygmy Rabbit Study

Research was begun this past winter to learn more about pygmy rabbits
(Brachylagus idahoensis), the smallest of the rabbits and a species almost
totally dependent on sagebrush for diet and protection.  Because of this
dependence, pygmy rabbits may be an indicator species for the sagebrush
ecosystem.  Research objectives include the following: Investigation of the
structural and compositional features of sagebrush and how they relate to
pygmy rabbits; determination of microhabitat selection by pygmy rabbits
during the winter; definition of large scale habitat features that are
characteristic of areas inhabited by pygmy rabbits.  Eleven rabbits were
fitted with radio collars in January to track their movements, and two
researchers documented rabbit activities daily through extreme weather
conditions.  As snow accumulated and the sage was buried, rabbits became
more visible and predation increased.  Shortly after one severe three-day
storm in March, the remaining five collared rabbits were lost to predators. 
Detailed vegetation documentation is ongoing and funding to continue the
study next winter is being sought.  This winter's research was funded by the
park, the National Geographic Society, and the University of Wyoming.  Park
areas that would like to share information about pygmy rabbits should
contact Andy Banta at Fossil Butte.  [Andy Banta, CR, FOBU]

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.

April 27

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee [Johnston]:
Hearing on S. 21, to designate certain lands in the California
desert as wilderness and to establish Death Valley, Joshua Tree
and Mojave National Parks. 

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.

April 28

House Public Works and Transportation's Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation (Rahall): Oversight hearing on the implementation
of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. 
Sections apply to park roads, public lands roads program, scenic
byways, and National Recreational Trails Act.  Testimony by
Denis Galvin, Associate Director, Planning and Development. 

House Merchant Marine and Fisheries' Subcommittee on Fisheries
Management (Manton): Hearing on H.R. 704, Glacier Bay National
Park. 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Public
Lands, National Parks and Forests [Bumpers]: Continuation of
hearing on S. 21, California desert. 

April 29

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

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests
and Public Lands [Vento]: Oversight hearing on the
administration's recreation fee proposals. 

May 5

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee [Johnston]: Meet
to discuss pending business; possible vote on DOI nominations. 

May 6

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related
Agencies [Byrd]: Hearing on the FY 94 budget request for the
NPS. 

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Lee on AL (4/26-4/30).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Gale, Botti and Berg conducting park fire
program review (4/25-4/29); Clark instructing extreme fire behavior course
(4/26-4/29).

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
SkyPager:  Emergencies ONLY (numeric message) - 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843 
SkyTalk:   Emergencies ONLY (voice message) - 1-800-759-8255, PIN 2404843