NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, March 10, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation 
creating Cape Lookout National Seashore.  It encompasses a series of 
undeveloped barrier islands extending 55 miles along the lower Outer 
Banks of North Carolina.

INCIDENTS

00-085 - National Capital Parks (DC) - Vandalism

On March 6th, an oil-like substance in the shape of a cross was found 
underneath each of the four inscriptions in the chamber of the 
Jefferson Memorial. Spots of the substance were also found on three 
columns on the northeast corner of the memorial. Similar acts of 
vandalism have occurred at Civil War parks, including Gettysburg, 
Antietam and Vicksburg. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 3/9]

00-086 - Pictured Rocks NL (MI) - Rescue

On the morning of March 7th, rangers were advised of a 911 call 
reporting that a visitor had fallen through shore ice on Lake Superior 
off the beach at Sand Point. Rescue personnel from the park, sheriff's 
department and local ambulance service responded. They found J.J., 
63, of Manistique, Michigan, in a boat on the shoreline with 
two local fishermen. According to witnesses, J.J. was walking on 
the ice about 100 yards from shore when he fell through. The fishermen 
pulled him into their boat, then pushed the boat to shore over the 
ice. J.J. was treated for initial stages of hypothermia and a 
spiral fracture of the left femur. He was taken to a local hospital 
for further treatment. [Larry Hach, CR, PIRO, 3/8]

00-087 - Rocky Mountain NP (CO) - Resource Violation

Last December, ranger Jim Detterline discovered the intentional 
diversion of the Hidden Falls spring in the Wild Basin area of the 
park to create a new ice climbing route. A 51-foot-long, up to 
14-inch-deep trench had been dug to fashion the new 80-foot route. 
This practice, called "ice farming," has become popular in many areas 
to create climbing routes. Through contacts in the local climbing 
community and by monitoring a web site on rock and ice climbing 
conditions, Detterline and ranger Bill Alexander were able to identify 
Fort Collins resident B.D. as the responsible party. B.D. 
had written an entry on the site claiming an ascent of a new ice route 
named "Hidden Dream." In lieu of legal action, B.D. agreed to 
assist ranger staff in a rehabilitation project at Hidden Falls this 
spring. Aside from the trenching, resource damage was minimal. An 
article will also be submitted to Rock and Ice Magazine explaining NPS 
policy on this type of activity. [Joe Evans, CR, ROMO, 3/9]

00-088 - Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC) - Suicide

The body of R.B. was found in a wooded area of the park near 
milepost 203 on March 8th following a three-day search. He apparently 
died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; a suicide note and a rifle 
he owned were found nearby. The investigation began late on March 5th 
when a ranger found a vehicle that had reportedly been stolen from 
Cincinnati, Ohio. The operator was presumed to be R.B., who was 
listed as a missing person with mental health problems. He was also 
reported to have a high-powered rifle in his possession. A ground 
search proved fruitless, so a Virginia State Police helicopter was 
brought in. His body was spotted from the helicopter.  The case ranger 
is Pete Schula. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/9]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Gulf Island NS (MS/FL) - Prescribed Burns

The park conducted two prescribed burns in the Naval Live Oaks unit in 
the Florida District in Februarey - the first two of three burns 
scheduled for this year. The two burns totaled over 150 acres; another 
137 acres are scheduled for early this month. The park was able to 
conduct the burns by taking an interagency approach. The Service's 
Great Smokies prescribed fire module took the lead; assisting were 
park firefighters, FWS firefighters from the Tallahassee Prescribed 
Fire Training Center, local firefighters, and a fire effects team with 
personnel from Great Smokies and Everglades. The latter installed 
eleven burn plots prior to ignition of the fires. Fires in the areas 
burned had been suppressed for several decades. Although both were 
near built-up areas and had major hazard fuel components, the burns 
were completed without incident. Extreme fire behavior was frequently 
observed on the second, which was near the Villa Venyce subdivsion, 
but the burn remained fully within prescription. While fuel reduction 
was a major objective of the burns, they will also have benefits to 
habitat. Benefitting species include the gopher tortoise (Gopherus 
polyphemus) and the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). The burns were 
well received by local residents, with only a few smoke complaints 
registered. The park began its prescribed burn program in February of 
1999. Sixty-three acres were burned during that year. [Mark Nicholas, 
GUIS]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Correction - The original report on the structural fire at City Tavern 
in Independence NHP (00-081, March 8th) said that this was "the third 
fire in as many months" at the tavern. It should have read "the third 
fire in as many years." [G. Tinkham, INDE]

Comprehensive Law Enforcement Review - On January 14th, the director 
mandated a study of the Service's law enforcement program. Chairing 
the study is Mike Finley, superintendent of Yellowstone NP. He has 
sent along the following update on the study:

"The Team has conducted four structured scoping sessions to date.  The 
first session occurred at FLETC on February 7, 2000, and approximately 
72 employees participated.  The second scoping session took place in 
San Diego, California during the Pacific West Regional Chiefs meeting, 
with approximately 65 employees participating.  The third structured 
scoping session occurred on March 1, 2000, at the Northeast/NCR Chief 
Ranger's meeting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with approximately 76 NPS 
employees attending.  In addition, scoping was conducted at the 
Southeast Utah Law Enforcement refresher for 24 employees.  

"International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) personnel were 
present at the first three sessions and a NPS Team Member was at the 
fourth session.  In addition to formal comments, individual interviews 
were conducted and invitations for follow-up correspondence were 
offered.  The Team has received a significant amount of information 
and offers to assist in the study.  We thank all that participated for 
your time and sincerity.

"As a result of the scoping sessions, the Team has revised the 
Statement of Work and has entered into the final negotiations with the 
IACP.  A formal contract should be executed within the next week.

"The scope of work has been broken down into the following broad 
areas:

o       Conduct a work force survey of protection rangers and managers 
        related to Law Enforcement program. Questions will be 
        developed by IACP to seek information and elicit suggestions.
o       Ranger safety issues, including communication, and ranger 
        safety training regarding field contacts and personal risk 
        assessments.
o       Staffing levels for law enforcement and evaluation of the 
        Omnibus Act of 1998, Section 801 Report Requirements, and 
        evaluation/validation of V-Rap.
o       Review current NPS policy and written directives for adequacy; 
        evaluate knowledge of and accountability for compliance.
o       Career development from initial recruitment and screening to 
        career progression, in addition to evaluating training 
        including basic, field training, and specialized, with 
        emphasis on amount and appropriateness.

"These large blocks of program review have numerous sub-objectives and 
once the contract is finalized, we will make the  scope of work 
available.  

"The Team will conduct at least five site visits.  As previously 
stated, to reduce costs, the Team Review will be limited to two or 
three members per each site visit.  We have received invitations from 
12 areas and or/grouping of NPS areas, for site visits.  The Team has 
made an initial decision to commit to the following areas:

o       Mid-Atlantic parks to include, Gettysburg, Fort McHenry, 
        Harpers Ferry, Assateague, Shenandoah, Prince William Forest 
        Park, Antietam, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. 
o       Arizona parks to include Coronado or Organ Pipe, Casa Grande, 
        Hohokam Pima, Montezuma Castle, Walnut Canyon, Sunset 
        Crater/Wupatki, and Grand Canyon-and others such as Glen 
        Canyon if time and funding permit.
o       Georgia/Florida parks to include Fort Fredrica, Cumberland 
        Island, Timucuan, Fort Caroline, Castillo de San Marcos, Fort 
        Matanzas, Canaveral, and South Florida parks.
o       California site visit to include, Muir Woods, Golden Gate, 
        Point Reyes, Carl Sandburg, John Muir, Yosemite, and 
        Pinnacles.
o       A Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bighorn Canyon, and Little Bighorn 
        Battlefield site visit.

"Other site visits may be made by individual Team members in 
conjunction with other activities.  For example, Special Agent Gary 
White who is stationed in Boise, Idaho may be able to conduct a review 
at Craters of the Moon and Hagerman Fossil Beds, without serious cost 
implications.  We will look for other similar types of efficiencies.

"These site visits will be conducted during the period of March 
through mid-July of 2000.  Parks will be contacted in the near future 
to determine acceptable times.  

"In order to provide the IACP with basic information in a consolidated 
form, the Team has determined that the following working groups will 
be established (names of leads in parentheses):

1.      Documenting diminished law enforcement staffing (Mike Finley, 
        Marti Leicester assisting)
2.      Communication issues, including equipment, policy compliance, 
        dispatch, efficiencies, and deficiencies (Cheto Olais, Einar 
        Olsen assisting)
3.      Training issues (Paul Henry)
4.      Vehicle and other equipment issues (Cindy Ott-Jones)
5.      General policy issues (Gary White)

"These team members will each establish guidelines on developing a 
work product and how to invite participation.  They will use the 
Morning Report to communicate with all interested parties.  This data 
is being collected at the request of IACP and will be prepared for 
submission to the IACP Team.

"In terms of up-coming meetings, the following will be attended by the 
Review Team or designated alternates.

o       Women in Law Enforcement, March 13, 2000, Phoenix, AZ.
o       Ranger Rendezvous, March 14, 2000, in Knoxville, TN.
o       Southeast Region Regional Chief Ranger's Conference, April 
        3-7, 2000, at Jekyll Island, GA.
o       National Ranger Advisory Committee, April 12, 2000, Denver, 
        CO.
o       Advance Resource Protection Skills, March 26-April 7, 2000, 
        Tucson, AZ.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife team member is no longer participating due 
to work priority conflicts.  We hope to announce a new team member in 
the very new future.

"On a personal note, the Team would like to thank all of you for your 
candor and your demonstrated willingness to resolve possible program 
deficiencies."

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Pinnacles NM (CA) - Clarence Wheeler, who retired in 1995 as 
maintenance supervisor for the park's West District, passed away on 
March 7th after a long-fought battle against cancer. He began working 
at Pinnacles in 1976 after a 21-year career with the military. He's 
survived by his wife, Kathe, daughter, Agnete, and a grandson and 
granddaughter. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 10th at the 
Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel in Salinas. Letters to the family 
may be sent to Kathe Wheeler, 104 Hawthorne Street, Salinas, CA 93901. 
[Debbie Simons, PINN]

Appomattox Court House NHP (VA) - The park has two positions open - 
GS-0025-11 supervisory park ranger (chief of education and visitor 
services) and GS-1301 or 0401-9/11 natural resource program manager. 
The announcements are, respectively, SHEN-APCO-2000-10, closing on 
March 15th, and SHEN-APCO-2000-14, closing on March 18th. Appomattox 
is a small, rural community with churches, schools, stores and 
doctors. Larger cities with hospitals and other amenities are 35 to 40 
miles away. If you have any questions, call 804-352-8987 x 24. [Connie 
Moody, AO, APCO]

Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs (WASO) - The office is 
currently accepting applications for a GS-12/13 legislative 
specialist. The position is on USA Jobs under the NPS as announcement 
WASO-00-023 and closes on March 22nd. The incumbent is stationed in 
Washington. The office has one of the most active legislative programs 
of any bureau in the federal government and is currently tracking over 
325 bills that have been introduced in the 106th Congress.  The 
incumbent will be responsible for preparing legislative proposals, 
preparing testimony for congressional hearings, and working with 
committees with NPS oversight to amend legislation that will benefit 
the NPS and system.  Strong communication skills, writing ability and 
analytical skills are required.  Knowledge of the legislative process 
is also needed.  If you have any questions regarding this position, 
contact Kitty Roberts or Donald Hellmann at 202-208-5656.  [Elaine 
Hackett, Congressional Liaison Specialist, WASO]

                           *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed 
by park, office and/or regional cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please 
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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