NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, April 27, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1897, Grant's Tomb in New York City was dedicated on 
the 75th anniversary of President Grant's birth and about a dozen 
years after his death.  The mausoleum is officially designated General 
Grant National Memorial.

INCIDENTS

00-144 - National Capital Parks (DC) - Follow-up: USPP Officer Shot

Officer Jonathan Daniels was discharged from the hospital on April 
24th after undergoing surgery on the left side of his face. Daniels is 
now recuperating at home with his family and is expected to eventually 
return to full duty. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/26]

00-164 - Cape Krusenstern NM (AK) - Rescue

On April 18th, rangers were notified of an overdue snowmobiler who had 
last been seen leaving a hunting camp in the park. The missing man, 
C.K., 52, had left for his home in Kivalina around 1 a.m. on 
the previous morning; his 48-mile route followed frozen shoreline and 
moving pack ice along the park's west coast. C.K. was known to have 
a heart condition. The weather at the time of his departure was clear 
and windy, with temperatures in the single digits. Park employees 
Archie Ferguson and Joseph Murphy were dispatched to the area by 
snowmobile. They encountered thin, "young" ice (seawater which had 
refrozen in recent weeks), open leads, and intensive glare along the 
coast. A lone Civil Air Patrol aircraft providing reconnaissance in 
the area spotted C.K. about two miles offshore and informed the NPS 
of his location. The thin, moving sea ice forced Ferguson and Murphy 
to travel in 50-foot increments, testing the surface as they went. 
They found that C.K. was snow-blind but otherwise in good condition. 
After losing his vision due to the intense glare of the sun (his 
broken sunglasses were in his shirt pocket), C.K. had traveled in 
circles until he'd become disoriented and lost on the ice pack. While 
Murphy selected the safest route back to shore, Ferguson guided C.K. 
back over the ice pans. A Kivalina search and rescue crew picked 
C.K. up from the frozen beach later that afternoon and returned him 
safely home. The rescue coordination center in Anchorage declared the 
rescue a "life save." [Greg Dudgeon, CR, WEAR, 4/19]

00-165 - Grand Teton NP (WY) - Rescue

Rangers received a report of a cross-country skier with a broken leg 
at the Death Canyon trailhead on the morning of Saturday, April 15th. 
They found V.S., 53, of Baltimore, Maryland, suffering from a 
severely angulated left ankle. Investigation revealed that V.S. 
had set out alone for a five-day backcountry ski trip into the canyon 
on April 11th. While skiing a steep ravine that afternoon, his ski tip 
caught in a severe angle at the narrow base of a ravine, causing his 
ankle to snap. V.S. set up his tent and stayed the night at that 
location, leaving his boot on the foot of the broken leg. On 
Wednesday, realizing that he'd be listed as overdue until at least 
Saturday night, he decided to try and get himself out. He had plenty 
of food, but knew he needed medical attention. V.S. was about five 
miles from the trailhead. His injured leg wouldn't support any weight, 
so he left most of his gear at the campsite. V.S. employed two ski 
poles as crutches where possible, but had to cover most of the 
distance by dragging himself or sliding on the snow. He was on the 
move from Wednesday through Saturday morning, inching his way down the 
canyon and over the Phelps Lake moraine. At night, he sought shelter 
under fir trees, placing the branches in a pile to raise himself off 
the snow. He ate snow to keep hydrated, as he was unable to carry 
water. Overnight temperatures were in the mid-30s - moderate for 
April. A visitor found V.S. only 400 yards from the trailhead on 
Saturday morning. Rangers evacuated him to St. Johns Hospital in 
Jackson, where he's undergone two operations for an open fracture and 
is being treated for advanced stages of gangrene. [Colin Campbell, CR, 
GRTE, 4/18]

00-166 - Perry's Victory & IPM (OH) - Vandalism

A material that appears to be oil was smeared on the south face of the 
granite pillar at the southeast corner of the memorial's upper plaza 
sometime during the evening of April 23rd. The oil was evidently 
applied in strokes, possibly with a paintbrush or similar object. 
Seven or eight strokes were applied, but none of the markings are 
decipherable. The oil from two of the strokes streaked to the base of 
the pillar, flowed along a lip of granite, and stained a four foot by 
eight inch wide section. Another small puddle of oil was found on the 
top of the contiguous parapet wall, about two feet west of the pillar. 
A large "X" was formed with duct tape on the memorial's upper plaza 
and about 15 feet from the pillar; a granite bench was used as the 
center of the "X." Nearby were an empty can of cigarette lighter 
fluid, a long, charcoal-type striker, an empty plastic 16-ounce soda 
bottle (which had apparently held the oil), and another 16-ounce soda 
bottle half-filled with what appeared to be urine. No burn marks of 
any kind were found. Two obscenities and a smiley face were scrawled 
atop the parapet in what appeared to be a dark-colored lipstick. 
[Gerry Altoff, CR, PEVI, 4/24]

FIRE UPDATE

Great Sand Dunes NM (CO) - On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 18th, a 
fire escaped and spread from private lands onto BLM and other private 
lands about two miles from the park's boundary.  Due to warm dry 
conditions and steady 50 to 60 mph winds, the fire spread quickly, 
reaching the park within an hour.  The fire ran over three and a half 
miles and consumed about 4,000 acres over a three hour period.  All 
visitors, employees, and other park occupants who could be immediately 
rounded up were evacuated to areas of bare sand dunes as the fire 
front passed through the park's primary developed area.  During the 
evacuation and as the flame front passed, the intense heat, smoke, 
blowing sand, and 30 to 50 foot flames caused a great deal of chaos 
and apprehension but resulted in no injuries. One NPS volunteer  was 
transported and treated for hyperventilation.  Damage to NPS 
facilities was significant. A seasonal quarters/contact station, an 
interpretive center, and most of their contents were destroyed along 
with a majority of the traffic control signs and structures in the 
developed area, numerous wooden structures in the campground, and at 
least one backcountry restroom.  The fire moved through the primary 
visitor use area, maintenance area, residential area, and campground, 
then on to a backcountry portion of the park and to adjoining USFS 
lands.  Several telephone structures and at least a dozen power poles 
were destroyed.  At least two transformers - possibly containing 
PCBs - were felled.  All park residents were temporarily relocated to 
the nearest town.  Partial power and telephone service was restored 
late on the 19th. All available fire personnel and equipment from all 
agencies in the area responded to the initial attack.  A Type II 
interagency fire team was called and took over suppression efforts. 
Resources included four to six hand crews, numerous engines, and air 
support. The cause of the fire is under investigation by an 
interagency team.  The incident attracted significant regional and 
state media attention. [Steve Chaney, GRSA]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Court Ruling on Special Use Permit Authority - On January 28th, a 
federal district court judge affirmed the October, 1997, conviction of 
Jerry Counts for violation of 36 CFR 1.6(g)(1) (engaging in an 
activity subject to a permit requirement without obtaining one) for an 
illegal event that Counts had held at Death Valley NP. The event, 
called "The Death Valley 400" was a dual-sport motorcycle 
"self-guided" tour. Counts, the event's promoter, was found guilty of 
conducting a business event without a permit and engaging in a special 
event without first obtaining a permit from the NPS. He was originally 
sentenced to 24 months' probation and a $500 fine. During the trial, 
Counts contended that he was not a commercial user because he did not 
offer or perform personal services or perform substantial business 
solicitation activities upon federal land.  He argued that he was 
simply providing "trip tickets," similar to the AAA auto club.  The 
court, however, found that Counts had marketed a map, had obtained 
payment for registering in the event, and that his motorcycle tour 
"affected the objectives of a federal land management agency." This 
ruling upholds the previous conviction, and affirms the Service's 
authority to manage events within park boundaries. [Eric Inman, SA, 
DEVA]

Yount Award - Stuart Schneider, chief ranger at Great Sand Dunes NM, 
is this year's recipient of the Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award 
for excellence in "rangering." The award, named after Harry Yount, 
generally recognized as the first NPS ranger,  is normally presented 
during National Park Week events in Washington, but the IMF/World Bank 
demonstrations and the roll-out of the National Parks Pass led to the 
postponement of the formal event until a future date. A reception with 
NPS and DOI leaders and a White House award presentation are being 
planned. Director Stanton had this to say: "It is a tremendous 
pleasure to meet the Yount Award recipient and present the award. I am 
again looking forward to this opportunity. Selected by his peers, the 
recipient represents the hallmark of 'rangering.' Being honored with 
this award is a true testament to an employee's commitment, dedication 
and devotion to the stewardship of the special and sacred places that 
make up the National Park System." Schneider began his career in 1979 
as a seasonal ranger at Ozark NSR. After several seasons at Rocky 
Mount NP and Zion NP, he achieved permanent status in 1987 at 
Hovenweep NM. He moved to his present position in 1993. Schneider was 
selected from among the seven regional award recipients who were 
honored this year. The other six were: North Atlantic - John Lynch; 
National Capital - John Kempisty; Southeast - Sandra Hines; Midwest - 
Chris Johnson; Pacific West - Kelly Bush; Alaska - Lee Fink. Paul 
Henry, NPS superintendent at FLETC, was also among the nominees for 
the Servicewide award this year. [John Townsend, MWRO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

No submissions.

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

Thursday, April 27th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation and Recreation (Thomas): Markup of the following 
bills:

o       S. 1438, a bill to authorize a National Law Enforcement Museum 
        on federal land.
o       S. 1921, a bill to authorize a plaque at the Vietnam Veterans 
        Memorial.
o       S. 2343, a bill to establish a lighthouse preservation program 
        under the National Historic Preservation Act.
o       S. 2352, a bill to designate the Wekiva River (Florida) as a 
        wild and scenic river.
o       S. 2231/H.R. 2879 (Coverdale, GA), a bill to provide for the 
        placement at the Lincoln Memorial of a plaque commemorating 
        the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the "I Have A 
        Dream" speech.
o       H.R. 3201 (Holmes, DC), a bill to authorize the Secretary of 
        the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of 
        designating the Carter G. Woodson Home in the District of 
        Columbia as a National Historic Site, and for other purposes. 

The hearing will be at 2:30 p.m. in 366 Dirksen.

Thursday, May 4th

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Hearing on H.R. 4115, a bill to authorize appropriations for 
the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1334 
Longworth.

Tuesday, May 9th

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

o       H.R. 2267 (McInnis, CO), a bill to amend the National Trails 
        System Act to clarify Federal authority relating to land 
        acquisition from willing sellers for the majority of the 
        trails, and for other purposes.  
o       H.R. 4086 (Ryun, KS), a bill to amend the National Trails 
        System Act to require that property owners be compensated when 
        certain railbanked trails are developed for purposes of public 
        use, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 2409, a bill to designate El Camino Real de los Tejas as 
        a National Historic Trail.

The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1334 Longworth.

May 16th

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

o       H.R. 3632 (Lantos, CA), a bill to revise the boundaries of 
        Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and for other purposes. 
o       H.R. 4063 (Miller, CA), a bill to establish the Rosie the 
        Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park in 
        the State of California, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 4125, a bill to provide a grant to Millennium Cultural 
        Cooperative Park in Ohio.

The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1334 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 (April 11th):

o       H.R. 4312 (Johnson, CT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility 
        of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage 
        Area in the state of Connecticut and the commonwealth of 
        Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
o       S. 2418 (Campbell, CO), a bill to prohibit commercial air tour 
        operations over Black Canyon National Park.
o       S. 2421 (Lieberman, CT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility 
        of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage 
        Area in the state of Connecticut and the commonwealth of 
        Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
o       S. 2437 (Smith, NH), a bill to provide for the conservation 
        and development of water and related resources, to authorize 
        the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for 
        improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and 
        for other purposes.

NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: No 
new laws.

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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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