RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Tuesday, November 16, 1993

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-798 - Great Smokies (Tennessee/North Carolina) - Follow-up on Search

On November 10th, efforts to find M.A. concluded when he was
discovered in Gunnison, Colorado.  The search for M.A. began on November
7th when hikers reported finding his backpack on the Appalachian Trail. 
When no clues were found after several days of intensive searching, an
investigation was begun into his whereabouts.  M.A. and his vehicle were
entered into the listing for missing persons on NCIC, and police in Gunnison
got a hit when they ran his name.  M.A., who has a history of mental and
economic problems, turned himself in, saying that he felt a strong sense of
guilt for what he had done.  During a phone interview, he told rangers that
he had faked the entire event.  M.A. had been hiking on the trail when he
fell and sustained a minor head injury.  He left a note saying that he was
injured and hiking out for help, then left the park and drove to Gunnison to
visit a grade school friend.  M.A. is currently receiving a mental health
evaluation and will soon enter into a counseling program.  [Dave Panebaker,
ACR, GRSM, 11/15]

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.

November 16

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public
Lands [Vento]: Hearing on H.R. 2843, to establish the Wheeling National
Heritage Area in West Virginia, and H.R. 1104, to establish the Great Falls
Historic District Commission for the preservation and redevelopment of the
Great Falls National Historic District in Paterson, New Jersey.

November 18

House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public
Lands [Vento]: Hearing on H.R. 1696, to provide for the regulation of the
airspace over National Park System lands in Hawaii by the Federal Aviation
Administration and the National Park Service.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Public Lands, National
Parks and Forests [Bumpers]: Hearing on S. 472, to improve the
administration and management of public lands, national forests, units of
the National Park System, and related areas by improving the availability of
adequate, appropriate, affordable, and cost effective housing for employees
needed to effectively manage public lands; S. 316, to expand the boundaries
of Saguaro NM and for other purposes.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at law enforcement for managers training course
(11/14-11/17).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Dickerhoof at law enforcement for
managers training course (11/14-11/15) and at VRAP meeting (11/16-11/19);
Sisto at surplus wildlife meeting (11/17) and at climbing conference (11/18-
11/19).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Spruill at meeting on revision of DOI aviation
manual (11/15-11/19); Broyles at NWCG training work team meeting (11/15-
11/20); Zimmerman at SERO fire plan preparation meeting (11/15-11/19); Gale
on AL (11/15-11/16); Farrel at IAFC accreditation workshop (11/18-11/21).


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