NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, March 28, 1995

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

92-xx - Little Bighorn (Montana) - Follow-up on Theft of Artifact

On February 2, 1992, the journal of a cavalry soldier killed at the Battle of
the Little Bighorn was stolen from the visitor center museum during operating
hours.  The journal, which had a bullet hole in it because it had been carried
in the soldier's breast pocket when he was shot, had a commercial value
estimated at between $75,000 and $120,000.  FBI and NPS agents have been
tracking various leads for the past three years, and culminated the lengthy
investigation with the arrest of R.C. in February.  R.C., a
self-professed radical with membership in several activist environmental
groups, confessed to stealing the artifact on a whim.  He has also been charged
with bombings and arson to whaling ships and animal experiment laboratories
throughout the United States.  In a plea agreement, R.C. admitted to
stealing and burning the journal and pled guilty to an unrelated count of
arson.  Sentencing is pending.  [Pat Buccello, SA, RMRO, 3/27]

95-124 - Canaveral (Florida) - Drug Seizure

A resource protection ranger on routine ATV patrol of the South District on
March 23rd came across a package bound in plastic and sealed with packing tape
lying on the beach.  Based on prior knowledge and experience, the ranger
suspected that it contained drugs of some kind.  This type of packaging,
however, was also consistent with an MO in which explosive devices are placed
in a bale during transport, after which the bale is discarded.  Great care was
taken in performing a field test, which proved positive for marijuana.  The
package weighed about 50 pounds and is being held until disposition can be
made.  The value has been placed at $60,000.  [Bill DeHart, CR, CANA, 3/24]

95-125 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Drug Arrests

On March 19th, South Rim rangers conducted a check on the residence of
concession employees N.W. and J.W., as the house had been left
unoccupied for an extended period of time under suspicious circumstances. 
While checking the house, rangers observed a large quantity of marijuana seeds
within the building.  A search warrant was obtained and executed on March 22nd. 
Among the items found were about 12 ounces of marijuana, packaged for sale;
many items of paraphernalia; and a small amount of methamphetamine.  The
W.s were arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute,
possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug
paraphernalia.  They have been under suspicion of dealing drugs in the park for
the past two years.  [CRO, GRCA, 3/27]

FIRE ACTIVITY

Bent's Old Fort (Colorado) - Dry lightning struck a point about 100 yards
northeast of the reconstructed fort late on the afternoon of March 25th,
causing a wildfire that spread rapidly to the north and east.  Winds were
erratic, causing some areas to reburn; they fire moved so quickly that standby
observation by responding staff and local fire units was deemed most prudent. 
By nightfall, strong winds with rain pushed the fire past the fort south and
east into cottonwoods and up to the Arkansas River.  A plowed fire lane was
constructed south of the fort by a local farmer to contain movement of the fire
to the west.  The wildfire burned about 70 acres in the wetland and was
contained by about 10 pm.  Snowfall during the night extinguished all but one
smoke.  A prescribed burn in this area two years ago reduced the fuel available
for this fire.  No structures or property were involved.  [Don Hill, BEOL]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Yellowstone (Wyoming) - Follow-up on Wolf Reintroduction

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 25th, park biologists saw five wolves about
a quarter mile from the Crystal Bench pen.  The animals, observed from about
two miles away, were "playing" on the hillside - exploring, chasing one
another, and racing back and forth.  On Sunday, they watched the Crystal Bench
and Rose Creek wolves, noting that both groups were out of their pens but
staying close to them.  On Monday, they again confirmed that both groups were
staying near their pens.  The biologists also cut open a second exit in the
Soda Butte pen yesterday, but none of the animals had left as of late
afternoon.  [Marsha Karle, PAO, YELL]

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.

March 28

House Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands (Hansen):
Hearing on H.R. 1280, to establish guidelines for the designation of national
heritage areas, and H.R. 1301, to establish the American Heritage Areas
Partnership Program.

March 29

House Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands (Hansen):
Markup of H.R. 260, to provide for the development of a plan and a management
review of the National Park System and to reform the process by which areas are
considered for addition to the National Park System, and H.R. 1091, to improve
the National Park System in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): The committee will
meet to consider pending business.

March 30

House Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies (Regula):
NPS FY96 budget.

April 5

House Resources Committee (Young): he committee will meet to consider pending
business.

May 17

Senate Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies (Gorton):
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
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