- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Friday, September 17, 1993
- Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1993
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Friday, September 17, 1993
Broadcast: By 0900 EDT
INCIDENTS
93-566 - Jefferson National Expansion (Missouri) - Follow-up on Homicide
On September 7th, FBI agents from Tampa, Florida, interviewed A.K.'s
companion regarding the homicide and armed robbery which took place in the
Arch garage on August 5th. The agents successfully employed a collection of
photos compiled by the homicide task force to obtain a positive
identification of the man suspected of killing A.K.. On September 10th, a
grand jury subpoena was issued to A.K.'s companion directing him to return
to St. Louis to testify at a grand jury hearing which will be held next week
and to view a line-up to further identify the primary suspect in the
shooting. Investigators are still attempting to find the fourth member of
the group involved in the crime. [John Weddle, CI, JEFF, 9/16]
93-711 - Golden Gate (California) - Armed Robbery
A man wearing a motorcycle helmet, trench coat and scarf walked into the bar
at the Cliff House on September 14th, drew a revolver from his coat, pointed
it at an employee, and ordered him to put money into a bag which he laid on
the counter. After the employee complied, the man walked out the door, got
on a motorcycle, and headed southbound on Great Highway. An investigation
by Park Police is underway. [Bert Lewis, GOGA, 9/16]
93-712 - Everglades (Florida) - Illegal Commercial Harvesting
On September 10th, Pine Island rangers investigated two separate instances
of persons collecting native plant fruits for commercial purposes. In the
first instance, four migrant workers from Guatemala were found with 250
pounds of fruit that they'd collected from palmetto bushes. One of the four
was an illegal alien. Later that afternoon, a park maintenance worker
spotted another 11 Guatemalans collecting palmetto fruit in the pinelands
about five miles from park headquarters. They had 350 pounds of fruit in
their possession. A total of 31 mandatory appearance citations were issued
in the two incidents; the Guatemalans were charged with illegal business
operation (36 CFR 5.3), preservation of natural features (36 CFR 2.1), and
traveling off the established roadway (36 CFR 4.10). Information on the
illegal alien was forwarded to INS. Park researchers responded to the scene
and positively identified the fruits; the researchers will be used as
witnesses in magistrate's court to establish the adverse impacts such
commercial sales operations could have on park resources. The suspects in
both incidents identified the same wholesale produce dealer in Immokalee,
Florida, as the intended buyer of the fruit. The suspects stated that the
fruit was to be mashed and shipped to a buyer in New York for use in a
cancer drug. Any information other parks might have regarding commercial
use of palmetto fruit would be appreciated. [CRO, EVER, 9/16]
93-713 - Prince William (Virginia) - Sexual Assault
A sexual assault on a 13-year-old female was reported to park staff on
September 11th. The girl was a member of a group that was staying in one of
the park's historic cabin camps for a weekend retreat. An adult male who
was with the group and was known to the girl coaxed her into going into the
woods with him. Once away from the camp, he attempted to assault her, but
she got away, reported the incident to her parents, and left the camp.
Investigating rangers have learned that the suspect attempted to assault
another juvenile at the camp during the weekend. The investigation
continues; charges are probable. [CRO, PRWI, 9/15]
FIRE ACTIVITY
1) FIRE SITUATION - Preparedness Level I
2) FIRE SUMMARY
State Agency Area Fire 9/16 9/17 Status
*** No significant activity ***
NOTES:
- Fires - Asterisk indicates newly reported fire (on this report). T1 and T2
indicate assigned Type I and Type II Teams.
- Status - The following abbreviations are employed:
NR - No report received MS - Modified suppression strategy
CL - Controlled MN - Being monitored
CS - Confinement strategy NEC - No estimate of containment
CND - Contained CN (date) - Expected date of containment
3) ANALYSIS - There was some initial attack in northern California and
southern Oregon yesterday, but the rest of the nation was quiet.
4) PROGNOSIS - Fire activity is expected to remain minimal.
[NIFCC Intelligence Section, 9/17]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No field reports today.
NOTES
1) The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 authorized significant
changes to the recreation fee program. Provisions include a one-time charge
of $10 for the Golden Age Passport; revision of the valid period for the
Golden Eagle Passport from a calendar year to 12 months from date of
purchase; a commercial tour use fee of $25 for any commercial tour vehicle
with a capacity of 25 persons or less; a fee of $50 for any commercial tour
vehicle with a capacity of 25 persons or more; identical fees for commercial
aircraft tours entering the airspace over certain parks; fees for boat
launching/camping at areas that do not charge campground fees; non-federal
Golden Eagle Passport sales; and retention of up to 15% of the cost of fee
collection. The time frame for development and utilization of these
provisions is still evolving. Extensive, on-going consultation has occurred
with regional recreation fee coordinators, park staff and management, WASO
staff and management, and representatives from other federal agencies that
have authority to implement entrance fees. A field work group will meet in
WASO beginning on October 18th to discuss problems and means of implementing
the commercial tour use fee. We expect to begin putting portions of these
authorities in effect on or prior to January 1, 1994 (Golden Eagle and
Golden Age sales) and other portions in effect by next spring (commercial
tour use, boat launching, camping). Parks are NOT to begin charging these
new fees until a Servicewide implementation program is made available to
regional directors and regional fee coordinators. This written program will
provide appropriate guidance and certain procedures. Meanwhile, park
personnel should direct all questions to their respective regional
recreation fee coordinators and should refrain from calling WASO directly
for guidance. It's more effective for WASO staff to deal with regional
coordinators than to field dozens of calls from the parks, then attempt to
provide consistent information to all regional coordinators. [Wes Kreis,
RAD/WASO]
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady at Ranger Futures meeting (9/13-9/17).
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Marriott and Berkowitz on travel
(9/13-9/17); Henry at SFAR oversight meeting (9/15-9/17).
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Broyles at CDF academy and NWCG meeting (9/13-
9/16); Zimmerman at prescribed fire and fire effects working team meeting
(9/15-9/19).
Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.
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