NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, November 14, 1995

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

95-732 - Gulf Islands (Mississippi/Florida) - Commercial Fishing Violations

The park began enforcing a prohibition on all commercial fishing within its
boundaries last May because of an observed decline in seagrass beds and fish
populations and because of the incompatibility of commerical fishing with the
park's mission and purpose.  Although a prohibition on commercial fishing
exists in 36 CFR 2.3(d)(4), questions had been raised regarding its
applicability to Gulf Islands.  The solicitor, however, recently determined
that the regulation applied to fishing in the park.  Enforcement was begun
following a series of hearings to inform the public.  A number of commercial
gill net fishermen and crabbers have been cited since May.  On November 6th,
rangers stopped four shrimp boats for illegal fishing in park waters in four
separate incidents.  Two were south of Horn Island in the Gulf of Mexico; two
were in the sound north of the island.  Heavy rains over the previous days had
apparently driven the shrimp out into deeper water with higher salinity,
tempting the commercial shrimpers to fish in the park.  The shrimp trawls and
illegal catches were seized; the latter were sold to a seafood house, and the
checks are being held in escrow pending court adjudication.  [Mark Lewis, DR,
GUIS]

95-733 - Great Smokies (Tennessee/North Carolina) - Exposure Fatality

Two hikers discovered T.R., 34, lying on the Appalachian Trail about
eight miles west of Newfound Gap on November 12th.  One went to get help while
the other stayed behind and shared a sleeping bag with the victim in order to
keep him warm.  Park medics Steve Kloster and Ron Parrish arrived at the scene
after midnight and found that T.R. had expired.  Criminal investigator John
Mattox conducted a follow-up investigation and determined that T.R. had
disappeared on July 31st and that he may have been on the Appalachian Trail
since that time.  When last seen at his father's home, T.R. weighed about
225 pounds; when found on the trail, he weighed about 125 pounds.  T.R. was
wearing tennis shoes and had used underwear and duct tape to fashion foot
warmers.  He was also wearing several layers of undershirts, but had no
appropriate outerwear.  T.R.'s family said that he had been suffering from
depression for quite some time.  An autopsy is to be conducted today;
indications are that he may have died from exposure from the freezing rain and
high winds that struck the park over the weekend.  [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM]

95-734 - Ross Lake (Washington) - Flooding

The combination of early snow in the North Cascades, heavy rains and rising
temperatures brought significant flooding and damage to a number of areas in
the Skagit River drainage - including portions of the park - on November 8th. 
Nearly seven inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period, causing damage similar in
magnitude to that experienced during the floods of November, 1990:

* Water erosion and rock slides in the Sourdough Creek and Rhode Creek
areas caused culverts to become plugged and large quantities of rock and
debris to be deposited over existing roads.

* About 6,000 cubic yards of material covers the road access to Colonial
campground and partially covers Highway 20 at the Rhode Creek crossing. 
The creek's former channel has also been filled, and the campground boat
launch has been partly filled.  The creek now flows down the boat launch
and has caused damage to the roadway and parking area.

* Another 2,000 cubic yards of rock debris was deposited on the road at
Sourdough Creek, blocking access to Seattle City Light facilities beyond
the site.

* A large section of the westbound lane of Highway 20 two miles beyond the
closed highway gate at Ross Dam trailhead has collapsed due to a slide. 
Damage is within the section of the road normally closed at this time of
year.

* Sky Creek and Damnation Creek are threatening bridge crossings between
Marblemount and Newhalem.  Extensive pavement damage and shoulder erosion
is reported at both locations.  The road above Marblemount has
accordingly been closed to all but emergency and administrative traffic. 
Park maintenance crews are working with the state to redirect creek
flows, repair damages and reopen this portion of the highway.

* Some employees living outside the park have reported minor damage to
their properties.

The rain has stopped at present, but more is forecast for the area.  [Pete
Cowan, CR, NOCA]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

OBSERVATIONS

The following quote is excerpted from "Historical Conservation" section of the
1966 edition of "Conservation Quotes", issued by the Department of Interior:

"...when a society or a civilization perishes, one condition may always be
found.  They forgot where they came from.  They lost sight of what brought them
along.  The hard beginnings were forgotten and the struggles farther along. 
They became satisfied with themselves.  Unity and common understanding there
had been, enough to overcome rot and dissolution, enough to break through their
obstacles.  But the mockers came.  And the deniers were heard.  And vision and
hope faded.  And the custom of greeting became 'What's the use?' And men whose
forefathers would go anywhere, holding nothing impossible in the genius of man,
joined the mockers and deniers.  They forgot where they came from.  They lost
sight of what brought them along."

                                                         Poet Carl Sandburg

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

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