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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, November 17, 1999
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Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 09:49:44 -0500
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, November 17, 1999
INCIDENTS
98-243 - Hovenweep NM (CO) - Follow-up: Assault on Employee
On November 1st, deer hunters found the remains of A. "M." P.,
one of the three men who were the subjects of the massive Four Corners
area manhunt that took place last summer after a Cortez, Colorado,
police officer was killed and two other officers were wounded. R.M.
and J.M. were the other two men involved in the
shooting. As the trio fled, they passed the park and fired at least
19 rounds from two different weapons at superintendent Art Hutchison,
hitting his car twice. Six days later, a San Juan County deputy was
shot twice and critically wounded by R.M., who then killed himself.
A.P.'s remains were found about six miles from Hovenweep's visitor
center. The cause of death was a self-inflicted bullet wound to the
right temple. Officers found seven pipe bombs scattered around
A.P.'s body. They also found a Kevlar helmet, body armor, and an FAL
.308 assault rifle set-up on a tripod in front of his place of hiding
under the low branches of a juniper tree. The rifle was pointed in
the direction of a road into the area. No food or water was found
with him. It's estimated that A.P. killed himself no more than a few
days after abandoning his vehicle. J.M.'s location remains unknown.
[Larry Van Slyke, CR, CANY, 11/12]
99-675 - Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Arrest; Terrorism Threat
According to a wire service report, 46-year-old L.D. of
Aurora, Colorado, is in federal custody for allegedly threatening to
blow up Mount Rushmore and kill people in Denver. The threats were
first made on August 12th. Mount Rushmore rangers became aware of the
threats shortly thereafter. L.D. evidently made more recent
threats, which led to his arrest. Rangers are working with FBI agents
to obtain additional information on the case. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU,
11/14]
99-676 - Mount Rainier NP (WA) - Search Suspended; Searchers Injured
The search for missing climbers C.H., 40, of West Seattle,
and R.V., 48, of Los Angeles, was suspended on the morning
of November 15th. Over the previous week, searchers from the park and
several mountain rescue organizations participated in the search for
the two men, who were last seen on the morning of November 5th.
Efforts were plagued by severe weather and limited visibility. The
operation was suspended after three searchers - a park employee and
two employees of Rainier Mountaineering - were injured on the
afternoon of the 14th. A five-person team was crossing an icy gully
at the mountains 10,500-foot level when the three climbers, who were
roped together, slipped and slid over 600 feet over ice and rocks down
a 45-degree slope. Injuries consisted of broken bones, cuts and
bruises; none was life-threatening. The remaining searchers were
called from the field immediately after the accident. C.H. and
R.V. were experienced climbers; they were well-equipped, familiar
with the area, and traveling together. The route they were following
to Camp Muir, however, has numerous hazards, including avalanches and
crevasses. Climber J.R. and snowboarder W.T. were
lost in the Muir snowfield earlier this year in separate incidents.
The climbers' families paid tribute to the searchers in a statement
issued on the 15th: "(We) would like the public to know that we
appreciate all the efforts that have been made in the rescue attempt
of C.H. and R.V. Words are not adequate to express
the gratitude that we feel towards all the folks involved in this
operation. Friends and members of both families have been at the park
throughout the search efforts. We feel that the National Park Service
have done all within their means to find R.V. and C.H. We understand
the weather conditions hampered rescue operations many times. However,
this did not stop them from continuing to explore new strategies and
implement them as soon as the weather cooperated. Sunday's efforts
were extremely thorough. We wish to express our gratitude to all the
individuals involved in the search. Our thoughts and prayers go out
especially to the three team members that were hurt in Sunday's
effort. The compassion, caring, and kindness that we have experienced
from the National Park Service during this most difficult time will
not be forgotten." [Alisa Lynch, PIO, MORA, 11/15]
99-677 - Caribbean Areas - Hurricane Lenny
Staff at San Juan NHS, Virgin Islands NP and Christiansted NHS
completed preparations for Hurricane Lenny yesterday. All three areas
are closed and employees have been released. The hurricane should
pass over St. Croix with winds ranging from 115 to 130 mph. San Juan
will likely have winds in the 45 to 50 mph range. Heavy rains are
also expected. [Ken Garvin, SERO, 11/6-17)
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND EDUCATION
Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Tidal Marsh Restoration
Over five hundred people gathered on Tuesday, November 9th, to witness
salt and fresh water mixing together at Crissy Field for the first
time in a nearly a century. The event honored the opening of the
channel connecting the restored Crissy Field tidal marsh to San
Francisco Bay. Ten years of work and over $24 million were raised to
make this project possible. A special tribute was paid by the Ohlone
people with the playing of a song recorded by Linda Yamane and with an
Ohlone ocean dance welcoming the waters back into the marsh. Crowds
watched the historic moment as the final barrier of earth was removed
and the marsh began to fill up with salt water from the Bay. Numerous
media representatives were also present. [Tracy Fortmann, GOGA]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Submission pending.
MEMORANDA
Submission pending.
INTERCHANGE
No submission.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Submission pending.
* * * * *
Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed
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the web at http://www.nps.gov/morningreport
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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