NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, May 9, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1926, Floyd Bennett piloted a three-engine Fokker 
monoplane from Spitzbergen over the North Pole and back. His navigator 
was Richard Evelyn Byrd. This first polar flight earned them the Medal 
of Honor.  Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, so named after 
Bennett's death two years later, is now part of Gateway National 
Recreation Area.

INCIDENTS

00-135 - Saguaro NP (AZ) - Follow-up: Pursuit with Fatality

On the evening of April 23rd, J.D., 28, of Avra Valley turned 
himself in to authorities after a first degree murder warrant was 
issued for him. The warrant stemmed from the death of J.M., 
27, also of Avra Valley, in an accident in the park  on April 9th 
while the two men were fleeing from deputies. J.D. fled from the 
accident scene to avoid capture. A search of the vehicle led to the 
discovery of stolen items and numerous weapons, including a sawed-off 
shotgun. Several of these linked J.D. to three other homicides in 
southeast Arizona. He has been indicted by a local grand jury on eight 
charges, including the first degree murder of J.M. and the first 
degree murder of a security guard. Other charges are pending. J.D. 
remains in jail on a $2 million bond. Media interest remains high. 
[Robert E. Stinson, DR, SAGU, 5/1]

00-178 - Death Valley NP (CA) - Follow-up: Search and Rescue

On the evening of April 19th, rangers Dave Brenner and Jeremy Monroe 
joined a search for two boys who were missing from a small town 
adjacent to the park. The boys had experimented with hallucinogenic 
drugs and wandered off into the desert. Brenner and Monroe found one 
of the boys in the early hours of the following morning, but the other 
boy was not with him. Search efforts continued, and he was eventually 
found - 20 miles from the point where he'd last been seen... [Bill 
Blake, CR, DEVA, 5/6]

00-194 - San Juan NHS (PR) - Demonstrations

Special event teams from Southeast, Midwest and Northeast Regions 
joined  park staff in dealing with a series of demonstrations in and 
around the park opposing the Navy's use of the Vieques Island bombing 
range. The first incident occurred on February 21st, when 30,000 
demonstrators closed a highway in San Juan. Then, as noted in a 
previous incident report (00-159), two dozen demonstrators occupied El 
Morro Fort in the park and raised socialist and independence banners. 
None of them were arrested due to the fact that only two protection 
rangers were available. The demonstrators left the following day. On 
May 4th, the day the protestors on Vieques were arrested, a large 
demonstration occurred in Quincentennial Plaza across the street from 
El Morro. About 500 demonstrators attended, some of whom were on park 
land. No attempts were made to retake the fort. On May 5th, a thousand 
demonstrators tried to delay the arrival of Supreme Court justices 
Breyer and Souter, who were attending the dedication of the courthouse 
in Old San Juan. The vehicle carrying the former governor of Puerto 
Rico to that event was attacked and had its windows broken out, but he 
escaped serious injury. The governor called out the National Guard to 
protect the water system, airport and electrical plants, and the U.S. 
Marshals brought in 115 deputies from the mainland. During their 
detail to the park, Southeast SET rangers made an ARPA case and 
recovered four Spanish coins from the 1820s and several musket balls. 
The SET from Northeast reported an incident in which a man grabbed a 
woman's hand, brandished a hypodermic which he claimed had AIDS virus 
on it, and demanded money from her companion. The male companion 
turned over his wallet, which contained $35 in cash; the assailant 
fled into La Perla, an area with high drug use. Ranger Andres Matos 
arrested a man on May 8th for being on park land while under the 
influence of heroin. A photo spread will be prepared for the robbery 
victim to review. While the SET teams were there, park maintenance 
workers turned over 300 hundred hypodermic syringes found in the park 
over the last several months. The teams were demobilized on May 8th. 
One squad of five SET members remain in the park due to the current 
atmosphere of anti-Americanism. More demonstrations are anticipated 
when the Navy resumes bombing in June. [Judy Forte, IC, SERO, 5/8]

00-195 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue

Rangers received a report of a climber in urgent need of help on the 
Zenyatta Mondatta route of El Capitan just after noon on May 3rd. When 
the first rescuers arrived at the base of the wall, they found the 
climber, J.S., hanging upside-down about 12 feet out from the 
rock and 150 feet above the ground. J.S.'s rope was wrapped around 
his leg, causing intense pain and numbness and making the leg 
unusable. Ranger Keith Lober employed a line gun to shoot a light cord 
to J.S., who managed to pull up additional gear and a rope, then 
attach the rescue rope to the rope from which he was hanging.  Rescue 
team member Scott Burk ascended to J.S., clipped him in, set up a 
free-hanging lowering system, and lowered him to the ground. When 
J.S. reached the ground, rangers became aware that he smelled of 
alcohol. He admitted to drinking vodka prior to the start of his climb 
that morning, but refused to permit an alcohol test. J.S. later 
explained how the accident occurred. He was attempting to pull up his 
40-pound haul bag by counter-weighting it with his 175 pounds of body 
weight. When he unclipped from his anchor, his only point of 
attachment was a single jumar ascender on the haul rope. He lost 
control of the haul when he placed his full weight on that rope and 
fell about 100 feet as the haul bag came flying up from the ground. He 
stopped falling only when his leg became wound up in the haul rope. 
J.S. hung there, attempting to free himself for about two hours. 
Eventually he became so exhausted that he could not hold himself 
upright. Because he still could not use his leg after he was on the 
ground, a rescue helicopter from Lemoore Naval Air Station was used to 
hoist him from the base of the wall.  J.S. refused medical treatment 
and transport after being evacuated, even though his leg still tingled 
and he had less than full movement. He will be prosecuted for creating 
a hazardous condition [36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)]. (Mary Hinson, Shift 
Supervisor, YOSE, 5/5)

00-196 - Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Resource Damage Recovery

On February 10, 1999, ranger John Sherman discovered two unoccupied, 
15-ton utility trucks owned by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) on the 
Baquiano trail in the Sweeney Ridge area of the park. The trucks had 
become bogged down in mud as PG&E employees attempted to reach and 
repair power lines that traversed the ridge top. In their efforts to 
free the trucks, the workers caused extensive damage to native 
vegetation, primarily coyote bush and coffeeberry. Entire sections of 
native plants had been excavated in several areas, exposing bare soil. 
Other PG&E trucks drove off road to bypass the two stuck trucks, 
creating deep ruts in a grassy meadow. A resource damage assessment 
team led by park plant ecologist Sharon Farrell determined that the 
restoration would cost $10,000. A report was submitted to PG&E and the 
park received payment in full last month. The funds will be used to 
restore and monitor the site. [Richard Danielson, Operations 
Supervisor, GOGA, 5/1]

00-197 - Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - Special Event

The Bike New York - Great Five Boro Bike Tour took place in New York 
City on Sunday, May 7th and ended at Fort Wadsworth. Over 30,000 
participants - a record number - stopped at the site for rest, food 
and water. A major concern this year was heat exhaustion or stroke due 
to unusually hot weather (last year's major concern, by contrast, was 
hypothermia). Although the temperature in the city reached a record 93 
degrees, few incidents were reported, much to the credit of 
organizers. The event was managed under a special use permit. A number 
of other city, state and federal agencies cooperated with the NPS. 
[Marty O'Toole, GATE, 5/8]

00-198 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure; Arrest

While hiking off duty on May 5th, rangers saw two suspicious vehicles 
pass through the park in tandem and relayed information on the 
sighting to Border Patrol agents. Both vehicles returned through the 
area about 30 minutes later. Due to the suspicious nature of the 
activity, one vehicle was stopped by agents and found to be carrying 
167 pounds of processed marijuana. The area through which they passed 
is heavily utilized by drug smugglers. [Fred Moosman, CR, CORO, 5/5]

FIRE ACTIVITY

National Preparedness Level - Level II 

Current Situation

Major growth occurred on large fires in New Mexico and Texas 
yesterday. The Cerro Grande (see below) and Cree fires in New Mexico 
have together burned over 8,000 acres; both are only 10% contained at 
present. The Cook Ranch fire in Texas has burned 30,000 acres.  A 
total of 49 crews (up from 28 on Sunday) and 381 overhead personnel 
were deployed on all fires.  

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New 
Mexico, Texas, California, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Indiana and 
Michigan.

NPS Fires

Bandelier NM (NM) - The Cerro Grande fire has burned 3,044 acres, up 
substantially from the 550 acres reported burned as of Sunday. The 
fire is burning in mixed conifers a mile southwest of Los Alamos. The 
fire is threatening the Los Alamos Laboratory, residences in the city 
of Los Alamos, gas pipelines, and endangered species. Some voluntary 
evacuations have taken place. Challenges to containment include heavy 
fuels, high winds, and long range spotting. A Type I incident 
management team (Humphrey) has been assigned; 327 firefighters (up 
from 137 on Sunday), six engines and two helicopters have been 
committed. 

Outlook

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH has been posted today for low humidity in 
northern Florida. It will be cloudy in northern New Mexico, with west 
winds of from 15 to 25 mph. Highs will be in the 80s and 90s.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 5/9]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Yellowstone NP (WY) - Rare Geyser Eruption

Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, erupted for the 
first time in almost nine years early on the morning of  May 2nd. 
Eruptions of the geyser, located in the Norris Geyser Basin, are 
entirely unpredictable, with the last eruption on October 2, 1991. A 
park employee traveling to work around 7 a.m. spotted a very tall 
vapor column as he neared the geyser basin and - suspecting a possible 
eruption - stopped to investigate.  Two park visitors, sleeping in 
their pickup camper truck at the Norris parking area, told him that 
they were abruptly awakened about 5 a.m. by what they thought was an 
earthquake.  Frightened, they drove south toward Madison, but upon 
looking back noted the huge vapor plume and returned to the geyser 
basin.  By the time the park employee arrived, a very heavy, wet mist 
enveloped most of the area around the geyser, and Steamboat - emitting 
a tremendous roar - was in the full steam phase, with a huge vapor 
plume approximately 500 feet tall. Steamboat Geyser rarely erupts in 
major phase.  More commonly, Steamboat ejects water in frequent bursts 
of 10 to 40 feet. During a major eruption, Steamboat can reach heights 
of over 300 feet, showering viewers with mineral-rich waters.   For 
hours following its rare three to 40 minute-long major eruptions 
(water phase), Steamboat thunders with powerful jets of steam; this 
steam phase can continue as long as 12 hours after the cessation of 
the water phase.  Steamboat's unpredictability makes this observance 
even rarer.  Intervals vary from three days to fifty years (Steamboat 
was dormant from 1911-1961).  In recent years, Steamboat has erupted 
in 1989 (three times), 1990 (one time), and 1991 (one time). [Public 
Affairs, YELL, 5/2]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Reports pending.

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

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.

Thursday, May 11th

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (Smith): Oversight 
hearing on the Everglades. 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Hearing on:

o       S. 1367 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to amend the Act which 
        established the Saint-Gaudens Historic Site, in the State of 
        New Hampshire, by modifying the boundary and for other 
        purposes. 
o       S. 1617 (DeWine, OH), a bill to promote preservation and 
        public awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad by 
        providing financial assistance, to the Freedom Center in 
        Cincinnati, Ohio. 
o       S. 1670 (Graham, FL), a bill to revise the boundary of Fort 
        Matanzas National Monument, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2020 (Cochran, MS), a bill to adjust the boundary of the 
        Natchez Trace Parkway, and for other purposes.
o       S.2478 (Akaka, HI), a bill to require the Secretary of the 
        Interior to conduct a theme study on the peopling of America, 
        and for other purposes.
o       S.2485 (Collins, ME), a bill to direct the Secretary of 
        Interior to provide assistance in planning and constructing a 
        regional heritage center in Calais, Maine.

Tuesday, 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.

Thursday, May 18th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Hearing on:

o       S. 1584 (Santorum, PA), a bill to establish the Schuylkill 
        River Valley National Heritage Area in the State of 
        Pennsylvania. 
o       S. 1685 (Bennett, UT), a bill to authorize the Golden 
        Spike/Crossroads of the West National Heritage Area. 
o       H.R. 2932 (Hansen, UT), a bill to authorize the Golden 
        Spike/Crossroads of the West National Heritage Area.      
o       S. 1998, a bill to establish the Yuma Crossing National 
        Heritage Area in Arizona.
o       S. 2247 (Byrd, WV), a bill to establish the Wheeling National 
        Heritage Area in the State of West Virginia, and for other 
        purposes.
o       S. 2511 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to establish the Kenai 
        Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area in the State of 
        Alaska, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2421, a bill to establish the Upper Housatonic Valley 
        National Heritage Area in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

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

Thursday, May 25th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Oversight hearing on 
the potential ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton 
National Parks and other units of the National Park System. The 
hearing will be at 2:30 p.m. in 366 Dirksen.

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 (May 2nd):

o       H.R. 4377 (Young, AK), a bill to provide Outer Continental 
        Shelf Impact Assistance to state and local governments, to 
        amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the 
        Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, and the 
        Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to 
        as the Pittman-Robertson Act) to establish a fund to meet the 
        outdoor conservation and recreation needs of the American 
        people, and for other purposes.
o       S. 2511 (Murkowski, AK), a bill to establish the Kenai 
        Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area in the State of 
        Alaska, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2512 (Moynihan, NY), a bill to convey certain federal 
        properties on Governors Island, New York.

NEW LAWS

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

                            *  *  *  *  *

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.

                             --- ### ---