NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, November 2, 1999

INCIDENTS

99-636 - Shenandoah NP (VA) - Rescue

A 63-year-old hiker from Fairfax, Virginia, was climbing on Old Rag Mountain
on October 31st when he collapsed within a large boulder fissure near the
summit.  A physician in the area attended to him and contacted park dispatch
via a cellular phone.  He reported that the hiker was likely suffering from a
heart attack and that his condition was worsening.  A ground team from the
park was mobilized and Eagle One, the Park Police helicopter, was dispatched
to the park.  Flight paramedic Doug Bullock and ranger Scot Bowen were
lowered from Eagle One onto the mountain.  On-scene ranger Liz Yee joined
them in stabilizing the victim and hoisting him aboard the helicopter.  He
was flown to Fairfax Medical Center for further treatment.  [Clay Jordan, IC,
SHEN, 10/31]

99-637 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescues

On October 16th, park dispatch received reports of three backcountry 
incidents - all requiring SAR and EMS - within the space of 30 minutes.  The
first was a fractured ankle in Hidden Canyon, the second a fractured ankle at
Upper Emerald Pool, and the third a minor injury requiring evacuation of a
party of three from Pine Creek Canyon.  A total of 18 park staff and SAR team
volunteers participated in the rescues, which required levels of intervention
ranging from a simple wheel-out to semi-technical evacuation to a technical
rope-raising operation.  The park's SAR team had just finished the last day
of a week-long technical rescue seminar at the head of Pine Creek when the
reports started coming in.  This permitted a quick response to the Pine Creek
incident and immediate mobilization of personnel to assist on the other two
evacuations.  All those needing medical attention were en route to the
hospital within three hours of receipt of the first reports.  [Aniceto Olais,
CR, ZION, 10/22]

99-638 - Indiana Dunes NL (IN) - Death of Volunteer

Park volunteer Christine Kostel, 70, was killed in an auto accident on
October 27th. Kostel was a long-time volunteer at the park and an active
member and former president of the Friends of Indiana Dunes.  Details on a
November 6th memorial service are pending.  [Al Nash, INDU, 10/29]

99-639 - National Capital Parks East (DC) - Sexual Assault; Arrest

On October 4th, USPP detectives arrested 22-year-old J.H. on charges of
first degree child sexual abuse.  The charges against J.H. stem from a
sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl on August 21st in River Terrace Park. 
J.H. is being held without bond.  His arrest marked the culmination of a
diligent and thorough investigation by USPP detectives and investigators
assigned to the case.  [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/18]

99-640 - Hawaii Volcanoes NP (HI) - Marijuana Eradication Operation

During the week of October 18th, rangers and state DNR officers conducted a
joint interagency marijuana eradication mission in the Kau and Puna Districts
of Hawaii.  Both of these districts border the park along much of their
lengths.  A total of 27,000 marijuana plants, ranging in size from seedlings
to seven feet tall, were located and destroyed.  Many were in full budding
stages and in the process of being harvested.  At the known going rate within
Hawaii, the potential street value was about $54 million.  On October 21st, a
very large growing operation was found near South Point Road and destroyed. 
It took two people almost two hours to seize all the plants and equipment. 
The plantation consisted of a sophisticated watering system that ran to
several hundred pots with marijuana in various stages of growth; also found
were tools, Pro Mix potting soil, solo sprayers, and hundreds of feet of
black coiled tubing used to transport water from an unknown source to the
plants.  It appeared that water was pumped from a truck to the plants at
night.  An officer in the spotting helicopter unfortunately broadcast his
find over the tactical frequency, rendering a stakeout of the area
unfeasible.  The plants were therefore seized the same day.  No suspects were
identified and no arrests were made.  There were no booby traps at any of the
sites.  Marijuana cultivation is on the increase on the island because sugar
cane is no longer being grown and marijuana is now the cash crop.  [Jeffrey
Judd, CI, HAVO, 10/27]

99-641 - Cuyahoga Valley NRA (OH) - Indecent Exposure

Two women hiking along the Ledges loop trail in late October were followed
closely by a young male hiker.  When they stopped, he approached to within
five feet of them, then exposed himself.  The women returned to the parking
lot; when the man returned to his vehicle shortly thereafter, they wrote down
his license plate and reported it to rangers.  Ranger Lois Neff investigated. 
The man made a voluntary statement admitting to the act.  He was cited for
disorderly conduct and will appear before a federal magistrate.  [Dale
Silvis, DR, South District, CUVA, 10/25]

99-642 - Cuyahoga Valley NRA (OH) - Drug Possession

While investigating an incident of excessive acceleration, ranger Mike Wilson
discovered a substantial amount of marijuana hidden in the crotch of the
driver's underclothes.  Wilson's investigation and associated interview
resulted in a voluntary statement in which the man said that he was not a
dealer but that he served as a "mule" (distributor) for a local dealer,
receiving $20 for each delivery.  The AUSA supported a charge against him of
possession with intent to distribute.  The investigation has been referred to
criminal investigator Gary Pace, who is working with local police and
following up on leads that may identify the dealer, reportedly a local
resident.  [Dale Silvis, DR, South District, CUVA, 10/25]

99-643 - Guadalupe Mountains NP (TX) - Assist to Agency; Structural Fire

The park received a request to respond to a structural fire in its nearest
neighboring community, Dell City, 45 miles away, just after 6 p.m. on October
24th.  The structure contained a business that produced feed by combining
alfalfa and molasses.  The main concerns were the butane tank inside the
building and the plastic bags used to package the feed, due to the possible
toxic gases emitted from both.  The park responded with four employees in its
structural engine and wildland water tender.  Fire and smoke could be easily
seen from 30 miles away.  Upon arriving on scene, they found that the fully
involved structure was being attacked by the town's volunteer brigade and
what appeared to be a crop duster making water drops onto the fire.  A
neighboring community also responded with its volunteer brigade.  A major
hindrance to the operation was the inability to maintain a constant water
source for the engines, as there were no hydrants.  The fire was considered
out by midnight.  Building and contents were considered a total loss.  [CRO,
GUMO, 10/25]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY 

                                                     Sat     Sun     %  Est
State      Unit              Fire/Incident  IMT      10/30   10/31  Con Con
 
CA    Shasta-Trinity NF      Big Bar Cx     AC/2T1 138,960  138,960  95 10/31
      Los Padres NF          Kirk Cx        T2      86,700   86,700  95 UNK 

MI    Huron-Manistee NF      Wagner Lake    --         100      100  20 UNK

IN    State                  Camp Atterbury --         500      500  75 10/31

WY    State                * Clark Allen    --           -   60,000 UNK 11/1

TX    State                * Channing       --           -   15,200 100 CND

                                  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

NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND)

                    NPS    BIA      BLM     FWS    States   USFS     Total
 
Thursday, 10/28      2      5        11       0      163     13       194
Friday, 10/29        1      6         5       0      147     11       170
Saturday, 10/30      0     15         2       0       25      8        50
Sunday, 10/31        0      0         1       0        3     20        24

TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                  Crews     Engines    Helicopters    Airtankers   Overhead

Thursday, 10/28     77        105          23             0           644
Friday, 10/29       35         69          18             0           677
Saturday, 10/30     32         54          15             0           641
Sunday, 10/31       31         52          11             0           637

CURRENT SITUATION

There was little activity anywhere on Sunday.  Very high to extreme fire
indices were reported in California and Colorado.  [NICC Incident Management
Situation Report, 11/1]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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, November 2

House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health (Chenoweth): Markup
of H.R. 1749 (Ballenger, NC), a bill to designate Wilson Creek in Avery and
Caldwell Counties, North Carolina, as a component of the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System.  The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. in 1334 Longworth.

Wednesday, November 3

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Markup of:

o     H.R. 150, a bill to amend the act popularly known as the Recreation and
      Public Purposes Act to authorize disposal of certain public lands or
      national forest lands to local education agencies for use for
      elementary and secondary schools, including public charter schools.
o     H.R. 834 (Hefley, CO), a bill to extend the authorization of the
      National Historic Preservation Fund.

Thursday, November 4

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

o     H.R. 1668 (Ganske, IA), a bill to authorize the National Park Service
      to conduct a feasibility study for the preservation of the Loess Hills
      in western Iowa. 
o     S. 548 (DeWine, OH), a bill to establish the Fallen Timbers Battlefield
      and Fort Miami National Historic Site in the state of Ohio (see H.R.
      868).
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. 

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in 1324 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 26th):

o     S. 1781 (Levin, MI), a bill to amend the Act that established the
      Keweenaw National Historical Park to require the Secretary of the
      Interior to consider nominees of various local interests in appointing
      members of the Keweenaw National Historic Park Advisory Commission. 
o     S. 1826 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to provide grants to the State of
      Alaska for the purpose of assisting that State in fulfilling its
      responsibilities under sections 803, 804, and 805 of the Alaska
      National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and for other purposes.
o     H.R. 3179 (Reynolds, NY), a bill to amend the Act establishing the
      Women's Rights National Historical Park to permit the Secretary of the
      Interior to acquire title in fee simple to the Hunt House located in
      Waterloo, New York.
o     H.R. 3183 (Young, AK), a bill to provide grants to the State of Alaska
      for the purpose of assisting that State in fulfilling its
      responsibilities under sections 803, 804, and 805 of the Alaska
      National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and for other purposes.
    
NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: None this
week.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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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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