NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, March 22, 1994

Broadcast: By 0900 ET

INCIDENTS

93-874 - Joshua Tree (California) - Follow-up on ARPA Investigation

Following leads developed in last December's archeological theft case, park
investigators traveled to Quartzite, Arizona, and contacted several
individuals who had artifacts for sale.  One of these individuals offered to
sell a Tonto polychrome bowl that supposedly came from the Tonto NF in
Arizona.  This information was shared with agents from the Forest Service,
BLM, and Southwest Region's ARPA task force.  On March 18th, a search
warrant was served at the suspect's residence in Scottsdale, Arizona, by
BLM, Forest Service, NPS and Customs agents.  Twenty prehistoric vessels
were seized, including the Tonto bowl and two others that BLM agents were
able to purchase just prior to warrant service.  A large number of papers
were also seized which documented artifact transactions totaling over
$100,000.  Based on the information obtained on the 18th, another warrant
was served by the team at a residence in Apache Junction, Arizona, the
following day.  Over 500 prehistoric vessels were found, as well as more
papers documenting major transactions and international trade in artifacts. 
The collection is estimated be worth more than $1,000,000.  The
investigation continues.  [Todd Swain, CI, JOTR, 3/21]

94-125 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Follow-up on Structural Fire

The park has sent along further information on last Friday's fire, which
destroyed the old Babbitt store.  An attendant discovered light smoke inside
the store when she arrived at work just before 9 a.m. and immediately ran
across the street to ranger operations.  The responding ranger observed
light smoke in the recreation center and in the community library.  Park and
Fred Harvey engines were dispatched along with two park ambulances.  Shortly
thereafter, heavy smoke and flames were reported to be issuing from the
library.  By 9:20 a.m., the building was fully involved, and all
firefighters were ordered out of the interior of the building.  A defensive
attack was initiated and firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from
spreading to nearby buildings.  Nine were injured while fighting the fire -
seven were treated for smoke inhalation and released, one was taken to the
park clinic for further treatment of smoke inhalation, and one was taken to
the clinic for treatment of a back injury.  The building, which was
constructed in 1925, originally housed the Babbitt's store and village post
office.  The community recreation center, weight room, library, and
employees' pub were completely destroyed.  Damages are estimated to be in
excess of $1,000,000.  The fire is being investigated by the park, the
concessioner and the state fire marshal's office.  [GRCA, 3/21]

94-127 - Glacier Bay (Alaska) - Aircraft Accident

On the afternoon of March 21st, a Grumman Goose amphibious aircraft operated
by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) crash-landed at an elevation
of 9,000 feet northeast of Mt. Fairweather - a very remote and heavily
glaciated area near the park's border with Canada.  An ELT signal from the
aircraft was picked up by the SAR satellite, marking its general location. 
The three occupants of the aircraft, who are believed to be employees of
DPS, all survived the crash, although at least one suffered back injuries.
A Coast Guard helicopter performed a high altitude rescue of the three
utilizing a basket hoist.  Information on the accident was still coming in
at the time of the report and specifics - including the cause of the
accident - are as yet unknown.  The accident may be in British Columbia. 
Canadian officials have been notified.  [Chuck Young, DR, Bay District,
GLBA, 3/21]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Isle Royale (Michigan) - Wolf/Moose Monitoring

The park recently completed its 36th consecutive winter study program - its
wolf/moose monitoring project.  The National Park Service, in cooperation
with Dr. Rolf Peterson of Michigan Technological University, conducts this
annual seven-week mid-winter project to gain current information on the wolf
and moose populations on the island.  The wolf population has been the
subject of great concern and intensive study since it failed to rebound
following a dramatic population crash in the early 1980's, despite an
apparently adequate food base in the burgeoning moose population. 
Expectations have been for eventual extinction of the wolves on the island
due to genetic problems caused by decades of inbreeding.  The initial
results from this year's project were surprising - two packs had each
produced four pups each, raising the total wolf population to 17.  During
the course of this year's project, however, both adults of one pack died,
leaving the four pups as sole survivors within the pack.  At the project's
end on March 1st, the pups appeared to be healthy and were finding moose
carcasses to feed on.  The prognosis for their survival until spring and
through the summer is probably not good, however, as they have not been
taught hunting skills.  [Jack Oelfke, NRMS, ISRO]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

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.

Upcoming Hearings

3/22 -- House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests
and Public Lands (Vento): Hearing on H.R. 3707, to establish an
American Heritage Areas Partnership Program in the Department of
Interior; and H.R. 2416, to provide for "the preservation,
interpretation, development and beneficial use of natural,
cultural, historic and scenic resources that are a source of
values important to the people of the U.S. through a national
partnership system of heritage areas."  Witness: Director
Kennedy.

-- House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Subcommittee on Environment
and Natural Resources (Studds): Hearing on H.R. 350, to amend
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to further the
protection of wetlands; H.R. 1330, to amend the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to establish a comprehensive program for
conserving and managing wetlands in the U.S.; H.R. 2543, to
amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish
requirements and provide assistance to prevent nonpoint sources
of water pollution; H.R. 2873, to amend the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for an
expanded federal program of hazard mitigation, relief, and
insurance against the risk of catastrophic natural disasters,
such as hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; and H.R.
3465, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to
improve the protection of wetlands and thereby restore and
maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the
nation's waters.  

3/23 -- Senate Indian Affairs Committee (Inouye): Hearing on S. 1021,
Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993.

-- Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Public
Lands, National Parks and Forests (Bumpers): Hearing on S. 1703,
to expand the boundaries of Piscataway Park; S. 1270, to
establish Cache La Poudre National Water Heritage Area in
Colorado; and other bills.

-- House Public Works and Transportation Committee (Mineta): Mark-
up of H.R. 3567, to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to
transfer operating responsibilities to the board of trustees for
the center; and other bills.

3/24 -- House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related
Agencies (Yates): Hearing on NPS FY 95 budget request.  Witness:
Director Kennedy.

5/11 -- Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related
Agencies (Byrd): Hearing on NPS FY 95 budget request.  Witness:
Director Kennedy.

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