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Subject: Fwd:NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, December 21, 1999
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 13:29:11 -0500
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Tuesday, December 21, 1999
INCIDENTS
99-731 - Kaloko-Honokohau NHP (HI) - Follow-up: Murder of Park Ranger
The funeral service for ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell was held on
Saturday, December 18th, at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo. A ranger
honor guard lined the driveway as the hearse arrived; the Park Police
honor guard then presented the colors, and the rangers saluted as the
casket was moved to the center of the stadium. Three Episcopal ministers
presented prayers, readings and a homily, and were followed by several
speakers. At the end of the service, rangers saluted again as the casket
was loaded into the hearse. Steve's widow, J.M.M.-J.,
rode in Steve's marked patrol car behind the hearse. These two vehicles
were followed by many marked NPS patrol vehicles and the rest of the
funeral procession. Police from the Hilo area stood along the road in the
pouring rain and saluted as the procession passed on its way to Mauna Kea
Memorial Park. A member of the Park Police honor guard played taps at the
cemetery. Director Stanton then gave the flag to Joni Mae, and Steve's
remains were interred. A Hawaiian feast and native music were provided at
the stadium after the funeral. Total attendance was estimated at about 400
people, including over 100 uniformed staff from the NPS and other
agencies. E.B. remains in custody without bail. A detention
hearing was held yesterday in federal district court in Honolulu. NPS and
FBI investigators continue to process information and prepare the case for
trial. Pacific West Region SET team members staffed many of the parks on
the island of Hawaii during the weekend while park staff attended the
services. Some all-risk management team members demobed on Sunday. A few
SET team members will remain at Kaloko-Honokohau NHP through the Christmas
period to assist the park's small staff with visitor and resource
protection. J.M.M.-J. has been approved as a participant
in the leave donation program. If you'd like to donate leave to assist her
and her family during this difficult period, please forward your donation
forms to Pacific Islands SO personnel officer Lea Scow (phone:
808-541-2693; fax: 808-541-3696). The park extends its thanks to everyone
in the NPS for the "overwhelming support and kind words of sympathy which
have been conveyed to us over the past few days." [Frank Dean, IO, IMT,
12/20; Daniel Kawaiaea, Superintendent, PUHE, 12/20]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND EDUCATION
Submission pending.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Submission pending.
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
INTERCHANGE
No submissions.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Submission pending.
CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
Congress is currently in recess and will remain so until January. Don
Hellman, chief of legislation in WASO, has prepared a status report on
legislation introduced during the first session of this Congress, which
began on January 6th and ended on November 23rd. Bills not passed in the
first session remain "alive" in the second session; that is, through this
coming September.
Prior to the final week of the Congressional session in November, five
park bills had been enacted into law:
o H.R. 171 (LoBiondo, R-NJ) - authorizes assistance to the New Jersey
Coastal Heritage Trail (P.L. 106-18).
o H.R. 193 (Meehan, D-MA) - designates Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord
wild and scenic rivers (P.L. 106-20).
o H.R. 66 (Wilson, R-NM) - provides for preservation of the Route 66
corridor (P.L. 106-45).
o S. 323 (Nighthorse Campbell, R-CO) - establishes Black Canyon of the
Gunnison National Park ( P.L. 106-76).
o H.R. 659 (Weldon, R-PA) - authorizes grant assistance to preserve
Paoli and Brandywine battlefields, NJ (P.L. 106-86).
Four bills were enacted into law that were primarily related to other
issues but included provisions affecting some parks and park programs:
o H.R. 1141 (Young, R-FL) - provides emergency supplemental
appropriations. Affects Glacier Bay. (P.L. 106-31).
o S. 507 (Warner, R-VA) - authorizes the Water Resources Development
Act of 1999. Affects Everglades and Fire Island. (P.L. 106-53).
o S. 1059 (Warner, R-VA) - authorizes Defense Department programs for
FY 2000. Relevant provisions include those on base closing property,
the National Military Museum, and Sonoran desert lands. (P.L.
106-65).
o S. 1072 (Shuster, R-PA) - makes technical corrections to the
Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act. Affects Wright Brothers NM
and Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP. (P.L. 106-68).
During the final days of the first session of the 106th Congress, 15 other
bills were passed by the House and the Senate and are awaiting the
President's action. The President is expected to sign all of them into
law:
o S. 382 (Johnson, D-SD) - establishes Minuteman Missile National
Historic Site, SD. Subsequently signed into law on November 29th.
(P.L. 106-115).
o S. 1398 (Helms, R-NC) - clarifies certain boundaries on maps
relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Affects Cape
Hatteras NS.
o S. 28 (Hatch, R-UT) - authorizes an interpretive center and related
visitor facilities within the Four Corners Monument Tribal Park.
o S. 548 (DeWine, R-OH) - designates Fallen Timbers Battlefield, OH,
as an affiliated area of park system.
o H.R. 20 (Gilman, R-NY-20) - authorizes the Upper Delaware Scenic and
Recreational River Mongaup Visitor Center, NY.
o H.R. 449 (Borski, D-PA-3) - authorizes building of Gateway Visitor
Center at Independence National Historical Park, PA.
o H.R. 592 (Fossella, R-NY) - designates Miller Field at Gateway
National Recreation Area, NJ, to honor World War veterans.
o H.R. 658 (Sweeney, R-NY) - establishes the Thomas Cole National
Historic Site, NY, as affiliated area of park system.
o H.R. 748 (Stupak, D-MI) - corrects constitutional problem with
Keeweenaw National Historical Park, MI, commission appointments.
o H.R. 791 (Gilchrest, R-MD) - provides for a study of the
Star-Spangled Banner trail as a possible national historic trail.
o H.R. 1104 (Sweeney, R-NY) - transfers land at Home of Franklin D.
Roosevelt National Historic Site, NY, to Archivist of the United
States for a visitor/archives center.
o H.R. 1619 (Gejdenson, D-CT) - extends boundaries of Quinebaug and
Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, CT.
o H.R. 1665 (Bateman, R-VA) - authorizes property at Fredericksburg
and Spotsylvania National Military Park, VA, to be acquired with
appropriated funds.
o H.R. 2140 (Deal, R-GA) - revises boundary of Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area, GA.
o H.R. 2737 (Costello, D-IL) - authorizes the Secretary to convey to
the State of Illinois certain Federal land associated with the Lewis
and Clark National Historic Trail for a visitor center.
In addition to these bills, the House and Senate passed the annual
Interior Appropriations bill, H.R. 3423, which was included by reference
in H.R. 3194, making appropriations for the District of Columbia for FY
2000. H.R. 3194 was signed into law on November 29th as P.L. 106-113. As
is customary, several park authorization issues were included among the
various funding provisions of the bill. Among these were the following:
o The name of the Steel Industry American Heritage Area was changed to
the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
o Leases, concessions, permits and other agreements associated with
properties administered by the National Park Service at Fort Baker,
Golden Gate NRA were exempted from taxes and special assessments,
except sales tax, by the State of California and its political
subdivisions.
o A boundary map for the Colonial NHP Page Landing addition was
corrected to allow for acquisition of property to be added to the
park.
o The National Park Service was encouraged to provide planning for
exhibits at Red Beach in the town of Calais, Maine in commemoration
of the 400th anniversary of settlement of Saint Croix Island.
o The Zion NP transportation plan was authorized to move ahead without
having appropriated funds available up front.
o Administrative costs to implement the national park passport were
increased from 10 to 15 percent.
o Leases, concessions, permits and other agreements associated with
properties administered by the Presidio Trust were exempted from
taxes and special assessments by the State of California and its
political subdivisions.
o The authority to establish the Thomas Paine Memorial in Washington,
D.C. was extended to December 31, 2003.
o The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor was renamed
the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage
Corridor. The commission for the heritage corridor also was renamed
for the late Senator Chafee.
o The NPS was authorized to study 14 areas for their suitability and
feasibility to be units of the National Park System. These areas
are: Anderson Cottage, D.C.; Bioluminescent Bay, PR; Civil Rights
Sites, multi-state; Crossroads of the American Revolution, NJ; Fort
Hunter Liggett, CA; Fort King, FL; Gaviota Coast, CA; Kate Mullany
House, NY; Loess Hills, IA; Low County Gullah Culture, multi-state;
Nan Madol, Micronesia (upon request of government); Walden Pond and
Woods, MA; World War II sites, Northern Marianas; World War II
sites, Palau (upon request of government).
Several other bills passed either the House or Senate and await further
action during the second session of the 106th Congress, which convenes on
January 24th. The following is a summary of park legislation awaiting
action:
Seventeen bills have passed the Senate and are awaiting House action:
o S. 700 (Akaka, D-HI) - designates Ala Kahakai Trail, HI as a
national historic trail.
o S. 938 (Akaka, D-HI) - allows land to be acquired at Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park using appropriated funds. The bill was
amended during consideration by the full Senate to include the
language of S. 939 (also Akaka), which corrects the spelling of
Hawaii national park units to reflect native Hawaiian language.
o S. 762 (Graham, D-FL) - authorizes study of Miami Circle as addition
to Biscayne National Park, FL.
o H.R. 149 (Hansen, R-UT) - makes technical corrections to Omnibus
Parks Act of 1996 and other public laws - returned to House for
concurrence in Senate amendments.
o H.R. 154 (Hefley, R-CO) - authorizes charging fees for filming on
public lands - returned to House for concurrence in Senate
amendments.
o S. 698 (Murkowski, R-AK) - provides for review of costs of
high-altitude rescues at Denali National Park, AK.
o S. 366 (Bingaman, D-NM) - designates El Camino Real de Tierra
Adentro as national historic trail, NM.
o S. 501 (Murkowski, R-AK) - revises management of fishing in Glacier
Bay National Park, AK.
o S. 734 (Murkowski, R-AK) - designates the National Discovery Trail
within the national trails system.
o S. 748 (Murkowski, R-AK) - requires study of native hiring and
contracting for Alaska park units.
o S. 710 (Lott, R-MS) - authorizes a feasibility study of the
Vicksburg Campaign Trail.
o S. 905 (Santorum, R-PA) - establishes Lackawana Valley American
Heritage Area, PA.
o S. 986 (Reid, D-NV) - conveys the Griffith Project to the Southern
Nevada Water Authority - impacts Lake Mead NRA, AZ.
o S. 1117 Lott, R-MS) - establishes Corinth Unit of Shiloh National
Military Park, MS.
o S. 1296 (Lautenberg, D-NJ) - designates portions of the lower
Delaware River as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
o S. 1324 (Santorum, R-PA) - expands boundaries of Gettysburg National
Military Park to include the Wills House, PA.
o S. 1569 (Kerry, D-MA) - designates segments of the Taunton River,
MA, for study for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers
System.
One bill has been reported by the Senate Energy Committee and is awaiting
action by the full Senate:
o H.R. 1487 (Hansen, R-UT) - provides for public participation in the
declaration of national monuments under the Antiquities Act.
Seven bills have passed the House and are awaiting Senate action:
o H.R. 940 (Sherwood, R-PA) - establishes the Lackawanna Valley
National Heritage Area, PA, and the Schuylkill River National
Heritage Area, PA.
o H.R. 834 (Hefley, R-CO) - reauthorizes the National Historic
Preservation Fund.
o H.R. 1615 (Sununu, R-NH) - designates an additional segment of the
Lamprey wild and scenic river, NH.
o H.R. 3002 (Young, R-AK) - restores a number of natural resource
reports that were eliminated.
o H.R. 2879 (Northup, R-KY) - provides for the placement at the
Lincoln Memorial of a plaque commemorating the "I Have A Dream"
speech of Martin Luther King, Jr.
o H.R. 2541 (Taylor, D-MS) - adjusts the boundaries of Gulf Islands
National Seashore to include Cat Island.
o H.R. 3373 (Leach, R-IA) - authorizes the Leif Ericson Millennium
Commemorative Coin Act (includes the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Commemorative Coin).
Three bills have been reported by the House Resources Committee and are
awaiting action by the full House of Representatives:
o H.R. 2435 (Goodling, R-PA) - includes Wills House in Gettysburg
National Military Park, PA;
o H.R. 1695 (James Gibbons, R-NV) - conveys public lands in Ivanpah
Valley, NS, to Clark County, NV, for the development of an airport
facility.
o H.R. 701 (R-AK) - establishes the Land and Water Conservation Fund
as a permanent appropriation and authorizes several other natural
resource protection funds from Outer Continental Shelf receipts
(Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999.)
One bill has been reported by the House Subcommittee on National Parks and
is awaiting action by the House Resources Committee:
o H.R. 2339 (Bereuter, R-NE) - designates the National Discovery Trail
within the national trails system.
Two bills have passed the House and Senate and are now in a conference
committee where the differences between the House and Senate versions are
being resolved:
o H.R. 1000 (Shuster, R-PA) and S. 1467 (McCain, R-AZ) -
Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The issue
of national parks air tour management as found in H.R. 717 (Duncan,
R-TN), as passed by the House on September 27th, will be resolved as
part of this same conference committee. The conferees met on
October 20th, but did not complete action and recessed subject to
the call of the chair.
For further information, contact Don Hellmann, Chief of Legislation, at
202-208-5675.
* * * * *
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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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