NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, October 26, 1999

INCIDENTS

99-617 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Demonstration; BASE Jumping Fatality

On Friday, October 22nd, J.D., 60, died while attempting a BASE jump
from El Capitan in Yosemite Valley.  J.D.'s jump was part of an organized act
of civil disobedience protesting the NPS air delivery regulations (36 CFR
2.17(a)), which make BASE jumping illegal in national park areas without a
permit.  The demonstration organizer, A.B., who is the NPS
permittee for the 300-plus BASE jumpers at Bridge Day at New River Gorge NR,
wrote a letter to the superintendent informing him of his intention to hold
the demonstration.  At a meeting with the chief ranger before the event,
A.B. was informed that the jump was illegal, that those who did it would
be charged criminally, and their equipment would be seized.  A.B. would
not identify the number of persons who intended to make the illegal jump, but
hinted that it might be as many as 50.  He also said that there likely would
be a large crowd at the landing area in support of the illegal jumpers, and
that he intended to attract as much media coverage as he could.  With the
potential for the demonstration overwhelming the park's resources, a Pacific
West SET team (USPP) was called in for the incident.  J.D. was the fourth of
five jumpers who showed up at the top of El Cap to jump.  The first three
made successful jumps and landed to the cheers of about 150 people, some of
who were waving flags and banners in support of BASE jumping in national park
areas, and were taken into custody.  J.D. then launched and free-fell for
more than 15 seconds until she hit the talus slope at the base of the cliff.
Her body was evacuated by long-line under the park's contract helicopter.
Those who witnessed the fall saw no sign of her pilot chute ever being
deployed to initiate the opening of her main parachute.  A.B., who was to
be the fifth jumper, opted not to continue and walked off the mountain.  At
least three TV camera crews and an Associated Press reporter covered the
demonstration, and broadcast and print coverage has been intense.  Park
special agents are investigating the incident; decisions about prosecution
will be made following consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office. [Dan
Horner, SA/Ops Chief, YOSE, 10/25]

99-618 - Caribbean Areas - Hurricane Jose

San Juan NHS and Virgin Islands NP implemented their hurricane plans and
closed down on the evening of October 19th in anticipation of the arrival of
Hurricane Jose.  High winds and rain struck both areas, but little damage has
so far been reported.  [Ken Garvin, SERO, 10/21; Judy Shafer, VIIS, 10/21;
Paul Hartwig, SAJU, 10/21]

99-619 - National Capital Parks Central (DC) - Assault on Officer

Park Police officer John Hunter approached a man sleeping on a park bench in
an NPS-managed area on Pennsylvania Avenue on October 8th.  The man lied to
Hunter about his identity; when confronted with the truth, he became
extremely violent and combative, grabbing Hunter's badge and shirt and
ripping them off.  Hunter employed pepper spray in an effort to subdue him. 
The man fled, but was stopped by Hunter and another USPP officer after a
short pursuit.  The man again struck Hunter before finally being taken into
custody.  Hunter sustained lacerations to his nose and lip and was treated at
the scene by city EMS personnel.  The assailant was charged with assault on a
police officer.  [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/18]

99-620 - Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - Armed Robbery

During the early morning hours of October 16th, ranger Mike Farley took a
report of an armed robbery on the Foothills Parkway.  The complainant said
that he and a friend had gotten off work and driven to the parkway after a
late meal to unwind.  When they tried to leave several hours later, they
discovered that they had problems with their vehicle, so set off to get help. 
There was a blue Chevrolet S-10 idling at the next overlook.  When they
approached it to ask for assistance, a man emerged from the passenger side,
pulled a bandanna over his face, pointed a revolver at them, and demanded
money.  The two men gave up over $100 before the two occupants of the S-10
drove away.  The victims were able to provide a detailed description of the
vehicle and suspect to Farley and to the local county sheriff's office.  The
investigation continues.  [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 10/25]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY 

                                                     Sat     Sun     %  Est
State      Unit              Fire/Incident  IMT      10/23   10/24  Con Con
 
CA    Shasta-Trinity NF      Big Bar Cx     AC/2T1 130,702  133,805  61 UNK 
      Los Padres NF          Kirk Cx        T2      86,700   86,700  85 UNK 

UT    State                * Beaver         --           -      300   0 UNK
                           * Henefer        --           -      150   0 UNK

NV    Elko FO              * Hanks Creek    --           -    2,000  10 UNK

TN    Big South Fork NRA   * Grand          --           -      100  50 10/24

                                  Heading Notes

Unit        Agency or Area Office = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA
            state resource or ranger unit; RD = CA state ranger district;
            Region = CA state region; FO = BLM field office; District = BLM
            district; NWR = USFWS wildlife refuge
Fire        * = newly reported fire (on this report); Cx = complex 
IMT         AC = Area Command; 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; UNK = unknown; NR = no
            report; RBF = resource benefit fire, no containment action being
            taken; LR = last report unless significant activity occurs

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported on Sunday in the South and Great Basin.

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Oregon, California, Utah,
Idaho, Illinois, and Colorado.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 10/24-25]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Fire Management Mentoring Program - The first step in establishing formal
mentoring for fire management personnel began in Boise last month.  Mentors
and their apprentices - known as "mentees" - met to train together and get to
know each other through the award-winning program developed by the University
of Washington. NPS fire issues were incorporated into the program, making it
a real custom fit for the NPS.  The firefighting work force has been losing -
and will continue to lose - firefighting and fire management expertise
through retirements.  It's estimated that between 40 and 50 percent of senior
and mid-level managers will retire within the next five to eight years.  The
organization will lose a wealth of knowledge and expertise in decision-making
under stressful, high-risk situations.  The fire management mentoring program
begins the process of transferring critical leadership skills to those who
will eventually fill key positions.  In this program, mentors and "mentees"
are selected and matched through a formal process.  The major advantage of
this program is that mentors and "mentees" receive training and guidance to
help establish and maintain a successful relationship.  Mentoring is viewed
as a partnership based upon mutual respect which results in increased
productivity and personal growth for both parties.  Even though a mentor may
have more experience, insight and wisdom, the relationship can still be one
of sharing rather than top-down giving and receiving.  The program is
voluntary, and open to anyone interested.  For more information, contact
program coordinator Bill Adams at 208-387-5219. 

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Fort McHenry NM&HS - The park is advertising for a GS-025-12/13 park manager
or a GS-340-12/13 program manager.  The vacancy announcement (MARO 99-36)
closes on November 5th.  The incumbent serves as superintendent of Fort
McHenry in Baltimore and Hampton NHS in Towson, Maryland.  Combined park
budgets are just over $2.2 million; there are 36 FTE.  There is no park
housing, but plenty of housing is available locally.  

WASO - The Ranger Activities Division has an opening for a GS-025-11/12/13
regulations specialist.  The position has been announced on USAJobs and
closes on November 10th.  The incumbent researches and interprets park and
program-related legislation, legislative histories, and legal issues, and
writes, reviews and edits applicable rulemaking documents.  She/he also
serves as NPS liaison to the Solicitor's Office and Justice Department in
preparing documents and reports when regulations are the subject of
litigation.  The incumbent must also be able to discuss and negotiate agency
positions on politically sensitive issues with individuals and groups who are
neutral or who do not support these decisions.

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, October 26

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands (Hansen):
Hearing on:

o     H.R. 1509 (Johnson, TX), a bill to authorize the Disabled Veterans'
      LIFE Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of
      Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while
      serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. 
o     H.R. 2532 (Hefley, CO), a bill to provide for the establishment of
      national heritage areas. 

The hearing will be held on 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.  

Wednesday, October 27

House Resources Committee (Young): Hearing on H.R. 2958, the University of
Alaska Land Grant Act.  The hearing will be held on 11 a.m. in 1324
Longworth. 
House Resources Committee (Young): Markup of:

o     H.R. 2278 (Farr, CA), a bill to require the National Park Service to
      conduct a feasibility study regarding options for the protection and
      expanded visitor enjoyment of nationally significant natural and
      cultural resources at Fort Hunter Liggett, California. 
o     H.R. 2541 (Taylor, MS), a bill to adjust the boundaries of the Gulf
      Islands National Seashore to include Cat Island, Mississippi. 
o     H.R. 2879, a bill to provide for the placement of a plaque
      commemorating the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the "I
      Have A Dream" speech, at the Lincoln Memorial.

The hearing will be held on 11 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.

Thursday, October 28

House Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources (Cubin):
Oversight hearing on a proposed policy prohibiting mining in areas
surrounding World Heritage sites.  The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. in 1334
Longworth.

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands (Hansen):
Hearing on H.R. 1500 (Hansen, UT), a bill to accelerate the wilderness
designation process by establishing a timetable for the completion of
wilderness studies on Federal Lands.  The hearing will be held on 10 a.m. in
1334 Longworth.  
 
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
(October 10th):

o     H.R. 3002 (Young, AK), a bill to provide for the continued preparation
      of certain useful reports concerning public lands, Native Americans,
      fisheries, wildlife, insular areas, and other natural resources-related
      matters, and to repeal provisions of law regarding terminated reporting
      requirements concerning such matters.
o     H.R. 3021 (Lowey, NY), a bill to extend the authority of the Thomas
      Paine National Historical Association to establish a memorial to Thomas
      Paine in the District of Columbia.  
o     H.R. 3033 (Ros-Lehtinen, FL), a bill to direct the Secretary of the
      Interior to make certain adjustments to the boundaries of Biscayne
      National Park in the State of Florida, and for other purposes.  
o     H.R. 3035 (Hansen, UT), a bill to designate certain lands in the State
      of Utah as wilderness, and for other purposes. 
o     H.R. 3084 (Shimkus, IL), a bill to authorize the Secretary of the
      Interior to contribute funds for the establishment of an interpretative
      center on the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. 
o     S. 1683 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to make technical changes to the Alaska
      National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and for other purposes. 
o     S. 1685 (Bennett, UT), a bill to authorize the Golden Spike/Crossroads
      of the West National Heritage Area. 
o     S. 1686 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to provide for the conveyances of land
      interests to Chugach Alaska Corporation to fulfill the intent, purpose,
      and promise of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and for other
      purposes. 
o     S. 1705 (Craig, ID), a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to
      enter into land exchanges to acquire from the private owner and to
      convey to the State of Idaho approximately 1,240 acres of land near the
      City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho, and for other purposes. 
o     S. 1729 (Campbell, CO), a bill to amend the National Trails System Act
      to clarify Federal authority relating to land acquisition from willing
      sellers for the majority of the trails.
o     S. 1734 (Durbin, IL), a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior
      to contribute funds for the establishment of an interpretative center
      on the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. 
    
NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: 

o     Public Law 106-76 - This law establishes Black Canyon of the Gunnison
      National Park in Colorado.  Black Canyon of the Gunnison National
      Monument is now abolished and all lands and interests therein are
      incorporated within the new national park.
o     Public Law 106-68 - The law makes several technical changes to 36 USC
      143 regarding the Wright Brothers Centennial Flight Commemoration. 
      Additional duties for the commission responsible for the commemoration
      are outlined and defined.  
o     Public Law 106-65 - The Defense Department authorization bill for FY
      2000 ensures continued use of the Goldwater Range in the Sonoran Desert
      for military training and for protecting the unique and natural
      resources of this part of Arizona.  It also provides for the
      establishment of a commission to conduct a study of the construction of
      a national military museum in NCR and contains language regarding
      defense base closure and realignment of federal lands.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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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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