NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, January 31, 1995

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

94-172 - Lake Meredith (Texas) - Follow-up on Drowning

B.D.B., 26, and his brother-in-law, T.E.F., 25, both of
Amarillo, were on their way across the lake in an inflatable raft around 1 a.m.
on April 9, 1994, when B.D.B. reportedly fell out of the raft.  Rangers
recovered B.D.B.'s body from the lake ten days later.  A joint investigation
into the incident was begun by the park and county sheriff's department when
inconsistencies were detected in T.E.F.'s story of the incident, which were
amplified by suspicions raised by B.D.B.'s parents.  The FBI also became
involved.  T.E.F. subsequently admitted to getting B.D.B. drunk, causing him to
fall out of the boat by making the boat lurch, then leaving him to drown.  T.E.F.
said that he first started thinking about the act after watching TV coverage of
an accidental double drowning on the lake the previous year.  T.E.F., who is now
trying to recant his confession, will be arraigned in federal court on murder
charges shortly.  Investigators have also learned that B.D.B.'s spouse took
out a substantial life insurance policy on him during the winter of 1993-1994.  
Charges of conspiracy and/or insurance fraud may be filed against her and her
mother.  Both were present at the lake at the time of the incident, although
they were waiting on shore.  [Larry Neilson, CR, LAMR, 1/29] 

95-35 - Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) - Marijuana Cultivation

On the morning of January 23rd, rangers and National Guardsmen discovered two
marijuana fields on the south side of Bourdeaux Mountain while conducting an
aerial search for such plants.  Rangers and Virgin Island police then searched
the area by foot, found two more fields, and confiscated 322 marijuana plants
with a street value of about $300,000.  Most of the plants were in containers;
the plots ranged in size from about 90 square feet to 125 square feet.  A
system consisting of a large barrel and tarp had been set up to capture rain. 
The plants were watered by hand.  Three species were found, one of them
producing buds.  More such flights are planned.  [Lucia Roberts, PR, VIIS,
1/23]

95-36 - Sequoia/Kings Canyon (California) - Death of Employee

Anne Shepherd, the budget assistant for the Division of Fire and Visitor
Management, died suddenly on the evening of January 28th following a short
illness.  She was 45 years old.  Anne started her 22-year career with the
National Park Service as a park aide at Foothills Visitor Center.  Her first
permanent assignment was as the mail and files clerk, and she became well known
as the mail and files "guru" due to her comprehensive knowledge of the central
files.  In 1992, Anne applied for and was selected for her "dream job" - budget
assistant to the chief ranger.  She loved her job and it showed in every
occasion she took to help solve a problem for a ranger out in the park. Funeral
services will be held Thursday, February 2nd, at Three Rivers cemetery in Three
Rivers, California.  The family has asked that donations be made in Anne's name
to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Foundation in lieu of flowers. 
[Debbie Bird, CR, SEKI, 1/30]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

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 WASO Legislation
at 202-208-3636.

February 2

House Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and
Lands [Hansen]: Hearing on H.R. 606, to amend the Dayton Aviation Heritage
Preservation Act of 1992; H.R. 621, to amend the act establishing Rocky
Mountain NP; and H.R. 694, Minor Boundary Adjustments and Miscellaneous Park
Amendments Act of 1995.

February 14

House Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and
Lands [Hansen]: NPS budget oversight hearing.

March 15

House Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies [Regula]:
NPS FY96 budget.


Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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