NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, March 2, 1999

INCIDENTS

99-59 - Mammoth Cave NP (KY) - Assault on Ranger

On the evening of February 27th, the Edmonson County sheriff's department
advised ranger John Logdson of a pursuit heading toward the park and asked
for his assistance.  The vehicle, driven by 24-year-old M.L.,
entered the park's west entrance, where Logdson picked it up.  M.L. passed
through the park, continued for another three-quarters of a mile after
exiting, then reversed direction and headed back toward the park boundary. 
Logdson and a county officer blocked the road to stop M.L. before he could
reenter the park.  M.L. slowed as he approached the roadblock, stopped,
then suddenly reversed direction and rammed the sheriff's vehicle that was
pursuing him.  Logdson drew his weapon and approached M.L.'s vehicle, now
stationary.  M.L. accelerated rapidly and headed straight toward Logdson,
who fired one round at the driver and ran toward a nearby ditch.  As the
vehicle swerved toward him, Logdson jumped into the ditch.  The county
sheriff, who thought Logdson had been struck, fired three rounds at M.L.'s
vehicle, which continued on into the park.  The pursuit continued for another
ten miles, at which point officers found the vehicle abandoned.  The
occupants had not been hit by any of the shots that had been fired.  State
and local authorities apprehended M.L. the next morning.  He appeared in
court yesterday, where his bond was set at $100,000 cash.  The U.S. attorney
will seek an indictment on charges of assaulting a federal law enforcement
officer.  [Phil Veluzat, CR, MACA, 3/1]

99-60 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure and Arrest; Illegal Aliens

Rangers stopped a man for excessive speed on the morning of February 27th and
ended up arresting him and seizing 247 pounds of marijuana.  The marijuana
was being transported through the park under a load of used tires.  During a
foot patrol the same day, rangers apprehended a single group of 16 illegal
aliens.  They were turned over to Border Patrol agents.  [Fred Moosman, CR,
CORO, 2/28]

99-61 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ) - MVA with Fatality, Injuries

The driver of a pickup heading north on Highway 85 on February 25th lost
control of his vehicle, crossed the center line, and was struck broadside by
a southbound vehicle towing a large boat.  The driver of the pickup was
ejected from his vehicle and killed.  The truck caught fire, but the blaze
was extinguished by the park's structural fire brigade.  The southbound
vehicle rolled into a deep wash next to the highway, sending the boat
airborne for 50 feet into the desert.  All four occupants were injured.  One
critical patient was flown to Tucson, the others were transported by
ambulance.  The highway was closed for several hours.  Numerous federal and
local agencies assisted at the scene.  Speed is considered to have been the
primary cause for the accident.  [Jon Young, IC, ORPI, 2/27]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming weeks
on matters pertaining to the National Park Service or kindred agencies.  For
inquiries regarding legislation pertaining to the NPS, please contact the
main office at 202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate
legislative specialist.

Hearings/Mark-Ups

Tuesday, March 2

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Oversight hearing
on the Department of Interior's FY00 budget request.  9:30 a.m., 366 Dirksen.

Wednesday, March 3

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies (Regula):
Oversight hearing on recreation fee program.  10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn.

Wednesday, March 10

House Resources Committee (Young): Hearing on H.R. 701 (Young, AK), a bill to
provide outer continental shelf impact assistance to state and local
government, to amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, and the Federal Aid in
Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act)
to establish a fund to meet the outdoor conservation and recreation needs of
the American people, and for other purposes.  11 a.m., 1324 Longworth.

Thursday, March 18

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies (Regula):
Hearing on the National Park Service's FY00 budget request.  10 a.m., B-308
Rayburn.

Floor Action

No votes scheduled.  

Legislation Introduced

The following bills either directly or indirectly pertaining to the NPS have
been introduced since the last Morning Report listing of new legislation
(February 17th):

o     H.R. 525 (Waxman, CA), a bill to provide for the defense of the
      environment, and for other purposes.

o     H.R. 786 (Bono, CA), a bill to terminate the participation of the
      Forest Service in the recreational fee demonstration program.

o     H.R. 791 (Gilchrest, MD), a bill to amend the National Trail System Act
      to designate the route of the War of 1812 British invasion of Maryland
      and Washington, District of Columbia, and the route of the American
      defense, for study for potential addition to the national trails system
      (see S. 441).

o     H.R. 798 (Miller, CA), a bill to provide for the permanent protection
      of the resources of the United States in the year 2000 and beyond (see
      S. 446).

o     H.R. 829 (DeGette, CO), a bill to designate certain lands in the State
      of Colorado as components of the National Wilderness Preservation
      System.

o     H.R. 834 (Hefley, CO), a bill to extend the authorization of the
      National Historic Preservation Fund.

o     H.R. 868 (Kaptur, OH), a bill to establish the Fallen Timbers
      Battlefield and Fort Miami National Historic Site in the state of Ohio.

o     S. 441 (Sarbanes, MD), a bill to amend the National Trails System Act
      to designate the route of the War of 1812 British invasion of Maryland
      and Washington, District of Columbia, and the route of the American
      defense, for study for potential addition to the national trails system
      (see H.R. 791).

o     S. 446 (Boxer, CA), a bill to provide for the permanent protection of
      the resources of the United States in the year 2000 and beyond (see
      H.R. 798).

                                *  *  *  *  *

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

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