NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, December 12, 1995

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

95-768 - Golden Gate (California) - Storm Damage; Road Closure

A park neighbor called Park Police dispatch to report flooding on her property
in the early morning hours of December 11th.  Responding officers found a
developing sinkhole in the Lincoln Boulevard entrance to the park.  The hole
threatened eight residences and caused a natural gas leak, forcing the
evacuation of the area by Park Police and city officers.  The majority of one
home slid into the hole, and another was rapidly losing its foundation at the
time of the report (yesterday morning).  Officer Noel Wagner volunteered to
move a vehicle owned by one resident which was about 20 feet from the hole.  As
he drove it off, the ground began giving away in front of the vehicle.  No
injuries occurred, but some personnel were exposed to natural gas for several
hours while emergency evacuations occurred.  The boulevard will remain closed
for some time, as all of the eastbound lane and part of the westbound lane sank
into the hole, which measures about 150 feet wide by 40 feet deep.  It's not
known whether the size of the hole will increase, but more rains are forecast
for the rest of the week.  [Lt. Kevin Hay, USPP, GOGA]

95-769 - Delaware Water Gap (Pennsylvania/New Jersey) - Injury to Ranger

Ranger Troy Mueller suffered a dislocated shoulder while arresting J.V.
for driving under the influence on December 8th.  J.V. had been stopped for
erratic driving, and was found to be under the influence of both alcohol and
drugs.  J.V. resisted arrest and had to be physically controlled by Mueller and
ranger Randy Seese.  After J.V. had been locked up, Mueller noticed a sharp
pain in his shoulder.  He was taken to a local emergency room and treated for
the injury.  During the altercation with J.V., two vehicles passing the scene
collided with each other.  The apparent cause of the accident was rubbernecking
to observe the tussle between J.V. and the rangers.  [CRO, DEWA]

95-770 - Delaware Water Gap (Pennsylvania/New Jersey) - Hunting Violations

On the afternoon of December 9th, rangers Mike Croll and Jamie Britt spotted a
man attempting to conceal himself in the woods along Old Mine Road in the
park's Kittatinny Subdistrict.  The man, subsequently identified as R.K.
of Clifton, New Jersey, had a freshly-killed, antlerless white-tailed deer in
his possession - an illegal taking, as it was during antlered deer season.  The
rangers determined that R.K. was hunting while under the influence of alcohol
and in possession of illegal ammunition; he also at times pointed his loaded
weapon at them.  Investigation revealed the location where the deer had been
shot and killed, and freshly-fallen snow showed that R.K. had been the only
one in the area.  A necropsy performed at the scene by ranger Mike Fernalld
revealed that the animal had been shot and died about an hour earlier, thereby
supporting the cause and time of death.  R.K. was charged with multiple
federal violations and also faces further charges from New Jersey wildlife
officers.  [CRO, DEWA]

95-771 - Jefferson National Expansion (Missouri) - Damage to Park Property

On December 6th, ranger Holly Rife responded to a call from St. Louis police
reporting a vehicle seen exiting the park off the established roadway and in a
reckless manner.  Officers pursued the suspect vehicle ar high rates of speed,
eventually stopping it several miles away.  The driver was found to have a high
blood alcohol content (.18%) and was arrested for driving under the influence. 
Investigation revealed that he had driven his four-wheel-drive vehicle 75 feet
up the North Overlook stairs and onto the steep (40% grade) adjacent hillside. 
Damage to park property was placed at a minimum of $400.  The driver received
three mandatory appearance citations from the park while he was in jail on the
city's DUI charges.  [Deryl Stone, CR, JEFF]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Gettysburg/Eisenhower (Pennsylvania) - Update on White-Tail Deer Management

Since October 2nd, when the parks began their white-tailed deer management
action, park employees have shot 180 deer.  Over 3,000 pounds of meat have been
delivered to regional food banks through a partnership with Pennsylvanians for
Responsible Use of Animals (PRUA).  Only one animal welfare group, Last Chance
for Animals of Los Angeles, California, has shown active interest in the
project.  In April, 1995, the deer population in the park was estimated at
1,147, over ten times the optimal number prescribed for the census area.  At
least 400 deer will be shot within the two parks by April, 1996.  It's expected
that additional deer will be harvested by Pennsylvania hunters on adjacent
lands as a result of this project.  The project's reduction will likely
continue from October to March for several years.  The current operation is
being supervised by Dr. Bert Frost, the park's wildlife biologist.  [Hal
Greenlee, NRMS, GETT/EISE]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Correction - Yesterday's Morning Report stated that an advanced copy of the
1995 incident reporting memorandum had been sent to all chief rangers on
November 8th.  It should have said December 8th.  Additional advance copies are
available from this address.  [Bill Halainen, DEWA]

2) Photography in Parks - The North American Nature Photography Association's
annual conference in San Diego in February will focus in part on federal
issues.  Tony Bonanno, team coordinator in Southwest Support Office, has been
asked to represent the Service and will speak on NPS issues pertaining to still
photography in the parks.  This conference presents the Service with an
important forum for addressing sensitivities and issues associated with NPS
sites.  If you have issues, concerns or experiences pertaining to still
photography in the parks, please contact him before January 19th.  He can be
reached by name on cc:Mail or at 505-988-6009.  [Chris Andress, RAD/WASO]

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 Stacey Rickard in
WASO Legislation at 202-208-3636.

December 12

Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Parks, Historic
Preservation and Recreation (Campbell): Hearing on S. 873, South Carolina
National Heritage Corridor; S. 944, Ohio River Corridor Study Commission; S.
945, Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor; S. 1020, Augusta Canal
National Heritage Area; S. 1110, National Heritage Areas; S. 1127, Vancouver
National Historic Reserve (tentative); S. 1190, Ohio and Erie Canal National
Heritage Corridor.

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

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