NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                              MORNING REPORT
     
     
     To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices
     
     From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
     
     Day/Date:   Wednesday, December 8, 1999
     
     INCIDENTS
     
     99-718 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Follow-up: Rock Slide
     
     The North Entrance Road has been cleared of all debris from last 
     Saturday's rock slide and has been reopened to the public. [Public 
     Affairs, YELL, 12/7]
     
     99-721 - Badlands NP (SD) - Paleontological Theft
     
     Ranger Aaron Kaye visited a remote paleontological site known as the 
     Titanothere Graveyards on October 26th and found two fossil poaching 
     pits dug into the hillside.  A follow-up investigation was organized 
     on December 2nd.  Another eleven pits and two partially-excavated 
     fossils were located. Large blocks of plaster were also found at the 
     site. Staff will return to the site tomorrow to develop some baseline 
     information, including a site base map, a GIS data layer, and tagging 
     and photographs of each pit. The site will be closely monitored until 
     an NRPP grant can be obtained to begin quarry operations at the site. 
     [Scott Lopez, CR, BADL, 12/7]
     
     99-722 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure; Smugglers Apprehended
     
     On the afternoon of November 27th, rangers saw a group of about ten 
     suspicious individuals on foot in an area of the park heavily utilized 
     by drug smuggling organizations.  Upon seeing the rangers, members of 
     the group scattered and fled into the surrounding tall grass and 
     brush. Rangers combed the area and were able to apprehend four of 
     them, all undocumented aliens.  The four were dressed in black or 
     subdued clothing typical of backpacking smugglers, but no contraband 
     was found in the immediate vicinity.  Border Patrol agents were 
     notified and took custody of the men.  Rangers then back-tracked down 
     the group's trail, apprehended a fifth man, and located the associated 
     cache of 432 pounds of processed marijuana.  The contraband carries an 
     estimated street value of $432,000.  [Fred Moosman, CR, CORO, 12/7]
     
     99-723 - C&O Canal NHP (MD/DC) - MVA with Two Fatalities
     
     A single-vehicle accident occurred on SR 51 in the Spring Gap section 
     of the park just before noon on December 5th. Park, state and county 
     units responded and found that the vehicle had left the road on a 
     sharp curve, struck a guardrail, traveled about 150 feet through the 
     air, then landed upside down in a section of the canal containing 
     water. Both the driver and passenger had been killed in the accident.  
     A joint investigation is underway.  [Tom Nash, Acting CR, CHOH, 12/7]
     
     99-724 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Stolen Vehicle
     
     On the morning of November 30th, rangers made a traffic stop on a 
     vehicle speeding through the park school's school zone. The driver was 
     given a warning.  The vehicle, a 2000 Buick, came back as stolen from 
     the state of New Jersey just as the rangers were clearing from the 
     stop. Ranger Tammy Keller relocated and stopped it and arrested the 
     driver, who was from Compton, California. [Kent Delbon, Lead Ranger, 
     South Rim District, GRCA, 12/2]
     
     RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND EDUCATION
     
     No submissions.
     
     OPERATIONAL NOTES
     
     No submissions.
     
     MEMORANDA
     
     "Alternative Transportation Program - FY 2000 Servicewide 
     Prioritization Project Call," signed by the director on November 22nd 
     and sent electronically to all regional directors.  A reply is due by 
     January 14th.  The text follows:
                  
     "By means of this memorandum, regions are asked to submit proposals 
     for transportation planning and implementation projects for 
     Servicewide prioritization for funding in FY 2000, under Category 
     III - Alternative Transportation Program (ATP) of the Federal Lands 
     Highway Program (FLHP).  Every proposed project must be able to meet 
     obligation schedules for award in FY 2000. A call for projects for FY 
     2001-2003 will be made in the summer of FY 2000.  The Project 
     Management Information System (PMIS) must be utilized to document, 
     rank, review and report all project needs.  Specific instructions as 
     well as eligibility guidelines are attached. All proposals must be 
     reviewed and approved in PMIS by the superintendent and regional 
     director. 
     
     "The National Park Service (NPS) will nationally prioritize ATP 
     projects for the following two categories: 1) alternative 
     transportation planning and 2) implementation of alternative 
     transportation systems (ATS). Funding for the FY 2000 ATP is $5-10 
     million, therefore, each region will be limited to submitting a 
     maximum of 20 projects for both categories. We anticipate spending a 
     substantial portion of FY 2000 funds on transportation planning in 
     order to have a better understanding of what our needs are so we can 
     make the best decisions regarding which projects should be implemented 
     in future years.
     
     "Regions should rank and prioritize all transportation planning 
     projects using the transportation planning criteria found in PMIS.  
     Regions should also prioritize implementation projects. The 
     Servicewide prioritization of implementation projects will occur in 
     Washington, D.C., on January 25-27, 2000, with participation by all 
     regions, using the Choosing by Advantages methodology to set 
     priorities.  Regions should prepare proposals for submission into PMIS 
     with regional approval no later than January 14, 2000.  All approved 
     projects are subject to review by the Development Advisory Board.
     
     "The goal of the ATP is to use innovative and appropriate 
     transportation solutions as a way to preserve and protect resources 
     while providing for safe and enjoyable access within the National Park 
     System. Projects should emphasize the use of clean fuel or other 
     innovative technologies; improve the visitor experience; reduce 
     congestion and pollution; mitigate adverse impacts on cultural or 
     natural resources; and, integrate transportation planning activities 
     with regional, State and local governments, and other public land 
     management agencies. Projects may also involve improvements to your 
     existing transportation system such as transportation demand 
     management; congestion management; intelligent transportation systems; 
     and connecting the existing transportation network to bicycle or 
     pedestrian paths. Roadway improvements such as lane widening, widening 
     or adding shoulders, and improving pavement structure can be funded 
     under ATP only if they are needed as a part of an ATS.  
     
     "Please consider other NPS initiatives, such as the Green Energy Parks 
     Program and Environmental Leadership, when preparing your submittals. 
     Select Green Energy Parks Program as the 'emphasis area' for projects 
     that demonstrate a commitment to promoting the use of energy efficient 
     and renewable energy technologies and practices and educating the 
     visiting public about these effects. Select Environmental Leadership 
     as the 'emphasis area' for projects that: 1) maintain compliance with 
     all environmental regulations; 2) move beyond compliance to embrace 
     pollution prevention and sustainability; and, 3) educate NPS staff, 
     concessions and other park users and visitors on these concepts.  
     
     "If you have any questions, please call Mr. Lou DeLorme, Team Leader, 
     Facilities and Transportation, at 202/565-1254 or Ms. Joni Gallegos, 
     Alternative Transportation Planning Program Officer, at 202/501-8926."
     
     INTERCHANGE
     
     No submissions.
     
     PARKS AND PEOPLE
     
     Zion NP - Construction has begun on six bus stops along the park's 
     scenic drive in preparation for the commencement of shuttle bus 
     operations on May 26th. The stops are at Canyon Junction, Court of the 
     Patriarchs, the Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend and Temple of Sinawava. 
     Construction activities will cause minor delays and impose some 
     limitations on access, particularly at the Temple of Sinawava. 
     Effective yesterday, visitors to the latter are being required to park 
     at the Big Bend pullout and walk the last mile to the site.  The new 
     shuttle system will also connect to the town of Springdale and the new 
     park visitor center.
     
     Fort Vancouver NHS - Columbia Cascades SO is currently advertising a 
     detail/temporary promotion opportunity for the position of GS-025-13 
     park manager (superintendent) at the park.  The assignment will be for 
     90 days, but may be extended to 120 days. Travel, per diem and salary 
     difference (if processed as a temporary promotion) will be paid for by 
     the park. The home park benefiting account will pay regular salary 
     costs. Supervisory approval is required. If you're interested, please 
     send a cc:Mail message to Teresa Wright no later than December 17th.
     
     Catoctin Mountain Park - The park is recruiting for a permanent, 
     GS-5/7/9 park ranger (law enforcement). The vacancy announcement 
     number is NPS-NCR-00-06.  It opened yesterday and closes on January 
     3rd. The position is covered by 6c retirement. Applicants must possess 
     Level I law enforcement commissions. The incumbent is responsible for 
     law enforcement, provision of information to visitors, campground 
     operations, fee collection, and emergency services, including SAR and 
     wildland fire. For additional information, contact chief ranger Roger 
     Steintl at 301-663-9552.
     
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     address requests pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your 
     servicing hub coordinator.  The Morning Report is also available on 
     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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