- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, April 11, 1995
- Date: Tues, 11 Apr 1995
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Tuesday, April 11, 1995
Broadcast: By 1000 ET
INCIDENTS
95-141 - National Capital Parks (D.C.) - Death of Employee
Barbara Burchett, the assistant site manager for Ford's Theater, died at her
home on April 5th from complications from pneumonia. Barbara began working in
the NPS as a seasonal at Yellowstone in 1968, and continued as a seasonal at
Everglades, Death Valley, Glen Canyon and Yellowstone through 1979, when she
became a permanent at Indiana Dunes. From there, she moved on to Carlsbad
Caverns and Prince William, and three years ago took the position at Ford's
Theater. She was a "hands on" interpreter who had a gift for working with
children. As a legacy, she leaves the education booklet she developed at
Prince William, and "Stories in Stone", the school program she coordinated for
NCP Central. The funeral is this morning at 11 a.m. Barb's friends in the NPS
will hold a tree planting ceremony in her honor on April 27th. Contributions
for the trees may be sent to Chris Jones, Ford's Theater NHS, c/o NCP-Central,
900 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20242. Contributions should be made out to
"NPS - Blossoms in Our Future." [Einar Olsen, RCR, RAD/NCRO, 4/10]
95-142 - Glen Canyon (Arizona/Utah) - Multiple Rescues
Employees in the Uplake District were involved in several rescues and a medical
evacuation during a period of extreme weather conditions on April 9th. Parties
in two boats became separated on April 8th while en route back to Bullfrog from
taking photographs of Rainbow Bridge. The party in one of the boats was
assisted by other boaters in the area; the party of six in the other, including
a woman who was three months pregnant, was stranded overnight. Members of the
group were dressed in shorts and light clothing and were unprepared for the
sudden drop in temperature, high winds and precipitation that struck the area.
The boat was located from the park's aircraft and the group was rescued by
rangers who had to battle severe winds and rough water. At about the same
time, rangers were involved in the air evacuation of a 20-year-old man who
complained of the sudden onset of acute stomach cramps and other symptoms, and
the rescues of ten passengers in a runabout and the occupants of a houseboat
that had run out of gas while battling strong winds and high waves. [Tomie
Patrick Lee, CR, GLCA, 4/10]
95-143 - Petrified Forest (Arizona) - Illegal Collecting Arrest
On April 3rd, ranger Mike Cox contacted J.H., whose vehicle had been
parked along the road near a sensitive archeological area in the park for over
two hours. Cox asked J.H. if he'd collected anything, and J.H. turned over a
few pieces of petrified wood. A search of J.H.'s backpack led to the recovery
of over 50 pieces of good quality pot sherds, projectile points, and petrified
wood scrapers. He also had about an ounce of marijuana in his possession.
J.H. was arrested and brought before the magistrate, who set bond at $1,000.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is reviewing the case for possible ARPA charges.
[CRO, PEFO, 4/10]
95-144 - Golden Gate (California) - Rescue; Drowning
Rangers and police assisted the Coast Guard with rescue operations for two
people who were involved in a boating accident along the park's shore at Ocean
Beach. Both victims were airlifted from the surf by a Coast Guard helicopter
and taken to a local hospital. One was revived, but the second succumbed. An
investigation is underway. [Lt. Thomas Moyer, SFFO, USPP, 4/10]
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.
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
Telefax: 202-208-6756
cc:Mail: WASO Ranger Activities
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