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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Friday, July 9, 1999
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Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 05:24:05 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Friday, July 9, 1999
INCIDENTS
99-343 - Systemwide - Fourth of July Roundup
Two more parks have reported Fourth of July events or incidents:
o Independence NHP (PA) - Several special events and protests occurred
during the Independence Day weekend. On July 2nd, about 50 members of
the Kensington Welfare Rights Association set up furniture, including a
sofa, end tables and lamps, on the lawn in front of Independence Hall.
When directed to move to a designated First Amendment area, they
refused. Seven were arrested. On July 3rd, several hundred
supporters of Mumia Abu Jamal, convicted of killing a police officer in
1981, gathered at the park with an approved permit. During the event,
dozens of demonstrators tried to take control of the Liberty Bell
Pavilion, with several demonstrators inside and many more blocking
access and chaining doors to the building. Rangers arrested 95
demonstrators with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Service and the
Philadelphia Police Department, whose officers provided transport. One
minor injury to a ranger was reported. Representatives from the U.S.
Attorney's Office were on hand to advise on civil and criminal issues
arising from the protest. The Liberty Bell Pavilion was reopened to
visitors after three hours. On July 4th, the city of Philadelphia
presented the eleventh annual Liberty Medal to President Kim Dae Jung
of South Korea in a ceremony in front of Independence Hall. Rangers
cooperated with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies
to ensure protection for the participants and audience. Two groups,
including the Mumia supporters, engaged in protests, but no arrests
were made. In the afternoon, the annual "Let Freedom Ring" event was
held, in which children who are descendants of signers of the
Declaration of Independence symbolically "tap" the Liberty Bell as a
signal for bells across the nation to ring in celebration of
Independence Day. There were several minor EMS incidents during the
day due to extremely hot weather, with the heat index in excess of 100
degrees.
o Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity NRA (CA) - On July 2nd, rangers received a
report of a despondent person who was coming to the park to commit
suicide. A search was immediately begun. The body of Jerry Eidenburn,
50, was found at the bottom of the Shasta Divide nature trail with a
single gunshot wound to the head. Twenty-three park employees
participated in the search. On that same day, a prescribed fire
outside the park near Lewiston got out of control. All available
resources were committed to the fire because of threats to the town.
Highway 299, which bisects the park, was closed, stranding hundreds of
motorists near Overlook Visitor Center. Traffic was backed up for
miles. The day also featured a one-acre arson fire near Whiskey Creek,
a successful search for a four-year-old boy who became lost near Brandy
Creek swim beach, and the rescue of two people from a paddle boat that
was taking on water and sinking in high winds and waves. On the 3rd,
rangers responded to a concession boat accident, with property damage
only. On the 4th, rangers and park staff responded to a gasoline
tanker explosion on Highway 299 which forced the closure of the road
for about four hours. Two people were burned and are in the hospital
in critical condition. A pair of dual tires on the trailer blew out
and the trailer overturned and slid down the highway sideways, engulfed
in flames. The tanker fire started a vegetation fire that was put out
almost immediately by four helicopters equipped with water buckets.
[Phil Sheridan, PAO, INDE, 7/8; Lawrence Carr, WHIS, 7/6]
99-360 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Disorderly Conduct
On the evening of June 28th, park dispatch notified rangers of a disabled
vessel south of Cottonwood Cove. The vessel, which was occupied by five
intoxicated men, was placed under tow. Rangers asked them to put on their
life jackets, as is required within the park. They replied that they were
police officers and that they didn't need the advice of rangers. They did
not have enough life jackets with them, and the boat lacked other required
safety equipment. The officers became hostile and threatening toward the
rangers while the boat was being inspected. Other rangers arrived on scene
by both land and water. The officers continued their belligerence, stating
that they would "kick (the rangers') asses." One member of the group fled;
those remaining said that it would take every ranger in the park to apprehend
him if the rangers attempted to do so. The officer who fled was arrested
three hours later and booked into jail for interfering with an agency
function and disorderly conduct. Other members of the group were cited for
safety violations, interfering with an agency function, and public
intoxication. A loaded and cocked .45 caliber handgun was found during a
search of the vessel. A sergeant from the agency's professional standards
division flew into Cottonwood the following day to interview the rangers
involved in the incident and to apologize for the officers' behavior. [Ralph
Patterson, DR, Mohave District, LAME, 7/6]
99-361 - Voyageurs NP (MN) - Demonstration
On July 3rd, a planned public protest by the Borderland Boaters Association
(BBA) occurred within park waters. The BBA coordinated a "Freedom Brigade"
of powerboats and jet skis to protest and test the authority of the National
Park Service, Voyageurs National Park's jurisdiction over waters within park
boundaries, and the temporary closure prohibiting the use of personal
watercraft within the park. The BBA hoped for up to 400 boats, extensive
media coverage and the state governor's presence with his five personal
watercraft. Approximately 50 boats and 13 jets skis participated in the
protest flotilla, and representatives from five news media covered the event;
the governor, however, did not attend. District rangers Chuck Remus and
Dennis Kaleta obtained registration numbers and video footage of all
operators. As planned, no citations were issued or arrests were made on
site. Mandatory court summonses are planned. The Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals' ruling on a prior water jurisdiction case - Voyageurs NP vs. Carl
Brown - is expected soon. Brown's daughter led the "Freedom Brigade" on July
3rd. She asked to be ticketed or arrested by Kaleta, but was sent home
temporarily empty handed. [Jim Hummel, CR, VOYA, 7/8]
99-362 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Weapons Violation
On July 5th, K.J., 49, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was arrested at
Stonecliff Beach for alcohol and firearms violations, disorderly conduct, and
threatening federal officers. A ranger registering campers noticed a black
plastic gun case in the bed of K.J.'s pickup. An NCIC check of the
vehicle and a warrants check revealed that K.J. was a fugitive from Oregon
and was a convicted felon. K.J. was sleeping in his tent at the time of
the initial observation. Two additional rangers were called for backup and a
felony contact was made on K.J. During the course of the arrest and
investigation, rangers found that K.J. had a .410 shotgun and alcohol in
his possession. K.J. became very belligerent, exhibited extreme mood
swings, and verbally threatened the rangers. It was later determined that he
was under treatment for manic depression and was not taking his medication.
He was arrested on several charges - felon in possession of a firearm,
fugitive with a firearm, disorderly conduct, threatening federal officers,
and alcohol violations. [Rick Brown, Protection Operations Leader, NERI,
7/6]
99-363 - Cape Cod NS (MA) - Rescue
On the afternoon of July 2nd, visitor R.D., 43, who was staying
with his wife in the park's self-contained RV area, began suffering severe
chest pain. Ranger Bob Irish called in park staff and an EMS unit from
Provincetown. R.D. arrested immediately after being transferred to the
ambulance. CPR was begun and continued for about ten minutes. R.D. was
defibrillated at least seven times and regained a pulse and spontaneous
respirations after the last defib. He was stabilized on scene before being
taken to the cardiac care unit in the hospital in Hyannis, where he underwent
a balloon angioplasty and is expected to fully recover. Irish and park
maintenance employee Leo "Skip" Childs, who is an EMT/paramedic, were
instrumental in saving R.D.'s life. [Andy Fisher, DR, CACO, 7/8]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II
LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY
Tue Wed % Est
State Unit Fire/Incident IMT 7/6 7/7 Con Con
OR Fremont NF Thomas T2 1,000 1,950 50 7/9
Prineville District * Horse Mountain -- - 800 90 7/8
State * Couse -- - 1,000 NR NR
ID Salmon-Challis NF Fall T2 150 300 0 UNK
CO Craig District Parshall Range -- 356 356 100 CND
Grand Jct. District Black Ridge Cx T2 4,100 7,342 100 CND
CA San Bernadino RU Elliott -- 2,500 2,576 80 7/7
San Bernadino NF Power -- 110 100 80 7/8
MN Superior NF Ind. Day '99 T2 Search and rescue ops
following major wind
storm
Heading Notes
Unit Agency or Area Office = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA
state resource or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; FO =
BLM field office; District = BLM district; NWR = USFWS wildlife
refuge
Fire * = newly reported fire (on this report); Cx = complex; LSS =
limited suppression strategy; CSS = containment suppression
strategy
IMT T1 = Type I Team; T2 = Type II Team; T3 = Type III Team; ST =
State Team; FUM = Fire Use Management Team
% Con Percent of fire contained; UNK = unknown; NR = no report
Est Con Estimated containment date; NEC = no estimated date of
containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report
NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND)
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Sunday, 7/4 1 7 12 1 105 39 165
Monday, 7/5 1 19 28 0 134 89 271
Tuesday, 7/6 3 35 11 1 198 67 315
Wednesday, 7/7 1 23 37 0 116 40 217
TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND)
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Sunday, 7/4 193 366 50 3 580
Monday, 7/5 191 326 54 3 648
Tuesday, 7/6 159 309 52 10 587
Wednesday, 7/7 126 247 49 12 680
CURRENT SITUATION
New large fires were reported on Wednesday in the Northwest. Significant
progress was made on existing fires in California and the Rockies. Moderate
initial attack was reported in most areas.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Nevada, California,
Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Alaska, and Idaho.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/8]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - California Condors
California condors from the Hurricane and Vermillion Cliffs groups have been
seen daily on and over the South Rim during recent weeks. At least four
condors have been seen soaring, roosting and taking an interest in people
from Desert View to the Bright Angel Trail. Measures are being taken to keep
visitors from any close contact and to deter the condors from becoming
habituated to humans. Wildlife biologist Elaine Leslie is coordinating the
effort. [Nancy Mecham, GRCA]
Everglades NP (FL) - Kemps Ridley Turtle
An endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle was found near Pavilion Key last week.
A seven-foot fishing pole, reel, and monofilament line were attached to what
was left of its front flipper. The monofilament line had been entangled
around the bone for some time, destroying the flipper. The turtle was
retrieved and taken to the Gulf Coast Ranger Station. Ranger Kathy Clossin
and maintenance employee Steve Snell worked to stop the bleeding from the
flipper; a county natural resources employee transported the turtle to
Clearwater Aquarium. It will undergo reconstructive surgery in about a
month, then will be released near the location where it was found. [Kathy
Clossin, EVER]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Law Enforcement Needs Survey - If you're a chief ranger or telecommunications
operator who responded to the section in the law enforcement needs survey
entitled "Survey C, Communications Center Operations Assessment," please note
that portions of your response did not successfully store in the WASO server.
To make sure your park's data is included, please fax your park survey layout
worksheet with your responses to Survey C to Beth Fischer, WASO computer
program specialist, for addition to our web site and data base. The data
will be most useful if you can fax it to Beth by July 15th. We realize this
poses some inconvenience, but hope this provides an opportunity for parks to
fully detail their dispatch situation and for parks that missed the first
deadline to submit material. Beth's fax number is 202-565-1232. [Steve
Shackelton, WASO]
Environmental Crimes Program - Bob Marriott has become the new Servicewide
environmental crimes program manager. For the past five years, NCR regional
chief ranger has successfully led efforts to train and familiarize NPS
personnel in this vital resource protection area. Key accomplishments during
this period are listed below. Special thanks are due to criminal
investigator Alan Foster (Whiskeytown NRA) and ranger/instructor Tom Cherry
(FLETC) for their outstanding support in the areas of investigations and
training. Accomplishments:
o 785 law enforcement, natural resources, and management personnel
received environmental crimes investigations or awareness training;
o six educational articles and a field reference manual were produced to
educate the public and employees and provide assistance to law
enforcement personnel;
o an NPS initiative led to the enactment of a new state environmental
crimes law to address solid waste dumping;
o partnerships were established with EPA, the FBI, the Coast Guard, and
the Department of Justice;
o over 45 parks have experienced environmental crimes case activity;
o $1.2 million in criminal restitution has been received by the NPS;
o convicted environmental criminals have received prison sentences of up
to 46 months.
Thanks to Einar for his drive, initiative and leadership in taking on this
much-needed program. Bob Marriott will manage a full-service program, which
will include planning, training, investigation assistance, and coordination
at the Washington level with EPA, the FBI, the Department of Justice and
others. He will also be developing environmental crime education materials
for managers. Bob reports to the chief, Ranger Activities Division. He is
currently in the RAD office in WASO, but will be moving to facilities in
Reston, Virginia, when space is available. Bob's phone number is 202-208-
4206. [RAD/WASO]
MEMORANDA
"Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Energy," signed on June
9th by the acting associate director for park operations and education and
sent electronically to all regional directors. The full text follows:
"The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Interior
and the Department of Energy (DOE)...can have a lasting positive affect on
how the National Park Service (NPS) accomplishes its mission in the next
millennium. As NPS employees, we need to support and become totally familiar
with the 'Green Energy Parks: Making the National Parks a Showcase for a
Sustainable Energy Future' Program inaugurated by the MOU. Our willingness
and ability to operate park units in an energy efficient and otherwise
sustainable manner will highlight our commitment to conserving the natural
and cultural treasures we are entrusted to protect. In addition, we
encourage you to take this opportunity to interpret to our visitors what we
have accomplished and how it can be done.
"This joint program aims to promote energy efficient and renewable energy
technologies in national parks, and to educate the visiting public about
these efforts. The MOU formalizes the interagency partnership with DOE to
guide us in implementing the Green Energy Parks Program as we move into the
21st century.
"We appreciate your commitment to establishing and supporting regional energy
coordinators to help facilitate the implementation and success of this
endeavor.
"If you have any questions, please contact Terry Brennan, Washington Office
Energy Coordinator, on 202/565-1248."
INTERCHANGE
No entries.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
No entries.
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Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators. Please address requests
pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your servicing hub
coordinator.
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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