NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, January 25, 1994

Broadcast: By 0900 ET

INCIDENTS

94-27 - South Florida Parks - ARPA Conviction

On January 18th, D.P.W., 60, was sentenced in Florida state
court for RICO violations stemming from over ten years of looting
archeological sites on state and federal lands.  D.P.W. and three
accomplices were arrested by Florida state park rangers in July of 1992
after they were discovered illegally digging in Cayo Costa State Park near
Fort Meyers.  State park officials contacted Big Cypress rangers, and a
joint investigation was begun which led to the discovery of a multi-state
ring involved in looting public lands.  One of the members of the ring, L.
Frank Hudson, had been involved in hunting for "treasure" and publishing a
diggers' newsletter for over twenty years.  NPS rangers and investigators
detailed to the case reviewed documents, maps and photographs seized during
the investigation and found documentation of illegal forays into Everglades,
Big Cypress, Ding Darling NWR, and other protected public areas.  Statute of
limitation and dual prosecution considerations led the U.S. attorney's
office to recommend against federal prosecution and agree to a cooperative
effort with the state.  D.P.W. was sentenced to two years' community
control (house arrest), three years' probation, and 300 hours of community
service; he was also required to pay $3,500 in restitution.  H., 75,
P.S., 41, and R.W., 44, received similar but lesser sentences
in earlier pleas.  Agreements with the state attorney's office will allow
NPS acquisition of forfeited evidence documents for use in an intelligence
database and training programs.  [Chip Davis, SA, RAD/WASO, 1/21]

94-28 - Arches (Utah) - Paleontological/Minerals Theft Investigation

Arches rangers have been involved in a nine-month-long multi-agency
investigation of the theft of paleontological and mineral resources from
state-owned lands just west of the park.  Based on information received last
spring, rangers contacted four individuals - longtime Moab rock shop owner,
fossil hunter and Canyonlands concessioner L.O.; L.O.'s female
companion; and D.W. and E.W. of Rock Springs, Wyoming - who were
excavating dinosaur bones and chert in the Dalton Wells area.  After
obtaining consent, a search of the W.'s vehicle revealed dinosaur bones
which had been collected at this site.  Subsequent investigations by Arches
rangers, BLM rangers and Grand County sheriff's officers resulted in state
charges being filed against L.O. and the W.s.  Charges for theft of
paleontological resources were quickly dismissed by the county judge, who
unfortunately was unaware of the precedent-setting nature of the citations
issued - the first known citations invoking the state's relatively recent
paleontological protection act.  The state proceeded with charges against
L.O. in district court, contending that he had collected mineral
resources from state land without a permit.  The case will go to trial this
spring.  This is the first time such a case involving protection of mineral
resources has been taken to district court in Utah.  [CRO, ARCH, 1/14]

94-29 - San Juan (Puerto Rico) - Suicide

While closing El Morro Fort on the evening of January 20th, rangers told
M.P., 22, and a friend to come down off a high section of wall on the
fifth level of the fort.  The two seemed to comply, when M.P.'s companion
began screaming that she had fallen off the wall.  Responding rangers found
M.P.'s body at the base of the Austria Bastion, some 160 feet below. 
Investigation revealed that M.P. had been despondent over a recent
relationship and was depressed.  Video footage shot by a tourist shows M.P.
standing on the wall, then jumping to her death.  [J. Schafler, CR, SAJU,
1/21]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Guadalupe Mountains (New Mexico) - Wind Generating Plant

Representatives from Kenetech/U.S. Windpower met with park staff last week
to discuss feasibility studies and environmental assessments for a wind
generating station to be built in the Delaware Mountains about two miles
south of the park.  If installed, this wind generating station could
potentially have as many as 750 wind generating towers between 85 and 100
feet tall.  Each tower has a pair of 52 foot long propellers, making the
diameter of the blades a total of 104 feet.  The three primary concerns
associated with these wind generating stations are aesthetics (the visual
impact), noise, and the impact on bird populations, particularly raptors. 
Two species that are particularly affected are golden eagles and red-tailed
hawks, both of which are common residents in the park.  [RMO, GUMO]

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming
weeks on matters pertaining to the National Park Service; although Congress
reconvenes today, little has been scheduled as of yet.  If you would like
further information on any of these hearings or bills, please contact Dottie
in WASO Legislation at 202-208-3636.

2/23 -- House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related
Agencies [Yates]: Hearing on Department of Interior FY 95 budget
request.  Witness: Secretary Babbitt.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: 202-208-4874
Telefax:   202-208-6756
cc:Mail:   WASO Ranger Activities
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