NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, February 2, 1994

Broadcast: By 0900 ET

                       *** NOTICE ***
     There was no morning report transmission yesterday due 
           to access problems with WASO's cc:Mail hub.  

INCIDENTS

94-37 - Yellowstone (Wyoming) - Structural Fire

A fire totally destroyed the East Entrance subdistrict ranger's residence on
the afternoon of Sunday, January 30th.  The building was the home of Bob
Mahn, the ranger who was killed while on patrol on January 17th.  All
personal belongings were lost as well.  There were no injuries.  Replacement
costs for the personal items and the residence are estimated to be in excess
of $200,000.  [Dan Sholly, CR, YELL, 1/31]

94-38 - Olympic (Washington) - Search and Rescue

Just before midnight on January 30th, the park received a report that an
adult and 13 children ranging in age from three to 14 years old were overdue
from a hike up the North Fork trail to Wolf Bar and back.  Friends and
relatives had begun looking for them late that afternoon, but had not been
available to find them.  Rangers immediately began a search and soon found
small footprints on a river bar about a mile from the trail head.  They were
joined by other rangers, SAR teams and dog units; a helicopter began flying
the area at first light.  The group was found that morning and flown out to
an airfield about eight miles away.  Although cold and hungry, all members
of the group were in good shape.  No details are yet available as to how the
group became lost.  [Mark Forbes, RAD/PNRO, 1/31]

94-39 - Joshua Tree (California) - Rescue

R.M. was climbing rocks in Sheep's Pass campground on January 22nd
when he pulled off a 70-pound rock flake, fell ten feet, and broke his
ankle.  The rock flake then fell on R.M.'s back.  Rangers and JOSAR
volunteers responded and began rescue operations.  R.M. was splintered and
bandaged, placed in a litter, lowered via high angle rope techniques, then
carried down a 200-foot boulder field to the ground.  He was flown by
helicopter to a hospital in Palm Springs.  Doctors found no other serious
injuries.  [Colin Smith, JOTR, 1/31]

94-40 - Lassen Volcanic (California) - Search and Rescue

H.D., 22, and several friends went snowboarding at Pilot Pinnacle
on January 30th, then headed back to their chalet.  During the return trip,
H.D.' friends noticed that he was no longer with them and advised the
park.  A search employing an eight-person hasty team and a California
Highway Patrol helicopter was begun the following morning.  H.D. was
subsequently found in good condition and evacuated by helicopter.  H.D.
was well prepared for winter weather; he was wearing the appropriate
clothing and carrying a sleeping bag.  [Bryan Swift, CR, LAVO, 1/31]

94-41 - Lyndon B. Johnson (Texas) - Death of Employee

Intermittent seasonal interpretive ranger Dennis "Bud" Mellen died on
January 28th.  He had worked in the park for several seasons.  Burial
services took place on Sunday.  Cards may be sent to his family at 1040
Hillside Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.  [Bonnie Winslow, RAD/SWRO, 1/31]

          [More pending incident reports tomorrow...]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Carlsbad Cavern (New Mexico) - Lechuguilla Cave EIS Signed

On January 31st, the New Mexico state director for the Bureau of Land
Management signed a record of decision for the Dark Canyon environmental
impact statement (EIS) which sets a new standard for protection of cave
resources by BLM.  The EIS was prepared by BLM to assist them in deciding
how to manage oil and gas leases adjacent to the park near known passageways
of Lechuguilla Cave.  The Service cooperated in the preparation of the
document.  The EIS establishes a cave protection zone; drilling for oil and
gas in this zone will not be permitted.  Outside of the zone, special
precautionary measures for oil and gas activities will be required.  These
precautionary measures will also be used by BLM in other karst areas to
protect cave resources.  [Joe Sovick, SWRO]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) RAD Newsletter - CLEAR TEXT, the Ranger Activities Division's cc:Mail
newsletter, was scheduled to come out last Friday but has been delayed.  We
hope to release it by the end of the week.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming
weeks on matters of interest or consequence 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.

2/3 -- House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests
and Public Lands (Vento) and Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations (Miller): Joint oversight hearing on
reorganization of the Forest Service, focusing on biodiversity
and ecosystem management issues.  

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

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: 202-208-4874
Telefax:   202-208-6756
cc:Mail:   WASO Ranger Activities
SkyPager:  Emergencies ONLY: 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843