NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, May 16, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1914, a bronze statue of Commodore John Barry, an 
Irish immigrant who became the first American naval officer to capture 
an enemy vessel in the Revolutionary War, was dedicated in Franklin 
Park, part of National Capital Parks in Washington, D.C.

INCIDENTS

00-206 - Canyonlands NP (UT) - Boating Accident with Fatality

On the afternoon on Friday, May 12th, S.J. 74, of Jackson, 
Mississippi, a client on a five-boat OARS commercial river trip, died 
as a result of a rafting accident in Cataract Canyon.  An 18-foot row 
raft containing S.J., three other passengers and a guide flipped on 
a large wave at the entry to Big Drop Two.  S.J. swam into Satan's 
Gut, a massive hydraulic in Big Drop Three; although immediately 
reached and recovered by an OARS motorized raft, he was found to be in 
cardiac arrest.  Resuscitation efforts were begun as the motorized 
raft maneuvered through four additional rapids to the headwaters of 
Lake Powell Reservoir, where S.J. was pronounced dead by an OARS 
client who was a physician.  A 54-year-old female passenger also 
nearly drowned and was evacuated by a Classic Aeromedical Helicopter 
to a hospital in Moab.  At the time these incidents occurred, Cataract 
Canyon was flowing at approximately 27,000 cubic feet per second, with 
a water temperature of 58 degrees.  Park ranger/paramedic Marc Yeston 
was assisted by Glen Canyon rangers Kerry Haut and Aaron Kania and six 
OARS guides in S.J.'s recovery, the investigation of the accident, 
and the air evacuation of the near drowning victim from the remote 
accident location.  S.J. was transported to Salt Lake City for an 
autopsy; drowning was ruled to have been the cause of death.  This is 
the 13th river fatality in the history of the park and the third 
fatality which has involved a park concessionaire. [Steve Swanke, DR, 
CANY, 5/15]

00-207 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Sewage Spill

A blockage between the Old Faithful lift station line and an overflow 
tank caused approximately 500 gallons of raw sewage to back up through 
a manhole cover near the Old Faithful Inn on May 14th.  The blockage 
happened after a tree branch became lodged in the line, obstructing 
the flow of grease.  The spill was reported to the park at around 
10:30 p.m.; the line was cleared by 4:30 a.m. the next morning. A new 
overflow system was installed last spring on the Old Faithful system, 
and new grease traps were added last fall. The grease from the spill 
was old grease that had remained in the line since last fall and had 
become dislodged.   Park officials suspect that the spill was caused 
by vandals, since it would not have been possible for the branch to 
have naturally found its way into the line.  It is unclear how or when 
the branch was placed in the line.  Similar items (sagebrush, balls, 
rocks) have been found in other sewage spills. None of the sewage 
spill reached any watercourse. The incident was reported to the 
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. [Public Affairs, YELL, 
5/15]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported yesterday in the Southwest and South and 
initial attack increased in the South. 

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday: 162 
crews (up from 138 yesterday), 378 engines, 48 helicopters, 28 air 
tankers, and  1,254 overhead personnel (up from 807 yesterday). 

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New 
Mexico, Utah, California, Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

NPS FIRES

Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - The lightning-caused Cedar Ridge fire 
started on May 15th and has burned 400 acres near Traphill, North 
Carolina. The fire is 30% contained, but containment is being hampered 
by strong winds and low humidity. The Piney fire was also caused by 
lightning on May 15th and has burned 250 acres, mostly in the George 
Washington and Jefferson National Forests. About 75 acres of the fire 
are on park land. Firefighters yesterday were attempting to keep it 
from entering the James River Face wilderness area. The parkway was 
being used as a fireline around mile post 67. Most smoke was rising 
uphill, and therefore was not causing serious problems to parkway 
traffic. A total of 278 firefighters and overhead, 16 engines and four 
helicopters have been committed to these two fires.

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - A Type I incident management team (Frye) has 
been assigned to the Outlet fire, which is burning in designated and 
proposed wilderness two miles north of North Rim Village. The fire has 
burned 9,954 acres and is 45% contained. Fire activity increased 
yesterday due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Heavy fuels 
within the fire area have contributed to severe fire behavior, rapid 
fire spread, and difficulty in meeting containment objectives. 
Currently committed are 914 firefighters and overhead personnel, 30 
engines and seven helicopters.

Bandelier NM (NM) - An area command team (Meuchel) and two Type I 
incident management teams (Humphrey and Bateman) are assigned to the 
Cerro Grande fire. The fire has burned 44,323 acres and is 35% 
contained. Crews held and improved fireline on the north and south 
sides of the fire yesterday, but the potential still exists for 
wind-driven growth. Threatened resources include the Baca Ranch, the 
Santa Clara Indian Reservation, the Santa Clara Ranger Station, 
watersheds and endangered species. Currently committed are 1,262 
firefighters, 30 engines and seven helicopters.

If you would like to send cards or expressions of support to your 
friends and colleagues at the park, you can do so by mailing them to: 
Bandelier Ops Support, Intermountain Region Support Office, P.O. Box 
728, Santa Fe, NM 87504-0728.

The Department of Interior put out the following press release on 
Sunday regarding investigation of the fire:

"Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today announced that Tom 
Lonnie, Bureau of Land Management Deputy State Director for Montana 
and the Dakotas is serving as the team leader for the investigative 
team that will investigate the fire near Bandelier National Monument 
in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

"'There are many unanswered questions,' said Babbitt.  'The 
investigative team that we have formed will help us to understand what 
went wrong and to determine if our prescribed fire policy is sound and 
the established procedures are adequate.'

"The team will examine events and circumstances during the time period 
beginning with the planning and implementation of the prescribed fire 
up until the time the fire was declared a wildfire.

"Their specific objectives include:

o       If the Prescribed Fire Plan was adequate given complexity, 
        objectives, and environmental conditions, and if it complied 
        with NPS guidance set forth in Director's Orders #18 and 
        Reference Manual-18,
o       If the prescription, actions, and procedures set forth in the 
        Prescribed Fire Plan were followed,
o       If prescribed fire training and experience of personnel 
        involved were commensurate with agency qualification 
        standards, and
o       Recommendations for immediate and long-term actions to prevent 
        similar future occurrences and improve program performance.

"The team will complete the fact-gathering phase of the investigation 
by Thursday, May 18th.  At that point preliminary findings will be 
released to the public and the information will be turned over to an 
independent review board which will be established by Secretary 
Babbitt.

"The independent review board, including both federal and non-federal 
members, will then analyze the data, try to determine what happened 
and why, and make further recommendations to the Secretary.

"The investigative team includes Jim Loach, National Park Service 
Associate Midwest regional director for operations; Tom L. Thompson, 
U.S. Forest Service Deputy Regional Director for the Rocky Mountain 
Region, Tony Delfin, Bureau Chief of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals 
and Natural Resources Department Forestry Division, Tyler Przybylek, 
Chief of Staff, Albuquerque Operations Office of the Department of 
Energy, and a team of 20 other members with expertise in fire 
management.  The members come from the Bureau of Land Management, The 
National Park Service, Forest Service, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and 
Natural Resources Department Forestry Division, Santa Clara Pueblo, 
San Ildefonso Pueblo, National Weather Service, Department of Energy, 
and local county representatives."

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES

Lincoln NF (NM) - The Scott Able fire has burned 20,717 acres and is 
50% contained. Full containment is forecast by the end of the day 
tomorrow. 

OUTLOOK

NICC has posted a RED FLAG WARNING for strong southwest winds and low 
relative humidity for all of New Mexico and west Texas, and FIRE 
WEATHER WATCHES for strong winds and low relative humidity in all of 
Arizona and for low relative humidity in north and central Florida.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 5/16; Bruce Bytnar, BLRI, 
5/15; Carol Anthony, Public Affairs, WASO, 5/15]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Submission pending.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No submissions.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Zion NP (UT) - Superintendent Don Falvey has announced his retirement 
after 36 years of continuous federal service. His assignments over 
those years included design engineer at DSC, chief of maintenance for 
all of Rocky Mountain Region, superintendent of Badlands NP, manager 
for planning, construction and design at DSC, and superintendent at 
Zion NP. A retirement dinner and roast will be held on July 1st. 
Contact Tina Lutterman at 435-772-0142 for additional information. 
RSVP requested by June 16th.

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 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.

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Mark-up of the following bills:

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. 2833 (Pastor, AZ), a bill to establish the Yuma Crossing 
        National Heritage Area. 
o       H.R. 2919 (Portman, 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       H.R. 2409, a bill to designate El Camino Real de los Tejas 
        historic trail.
o       H.R. 2661, the General Aviation Access Act.

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

Tuesday, May 23rd

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Hearing on H.R. 3033, boundary adjustments for Biscayne 
National Park. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1334 Longworth.

Thursday, May 25th

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): 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 10 a.m. in 1334 
Longworth.

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.

Wednesday, June 14th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Mark-up of:

o       S. 2123 (Landrieu, LA) and H.R. 701 (Young, AK), identical 
        bills 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. 25 (Landrieu, LA), a bill to provide Coastal Impact 
        Assistance to State and local governments, to amend the Outer 
        Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978, the Land and 
        Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the Urban Park and 
        Recreation Recovery Act, 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.

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 9th):

o       H.R. 4044 (Hansen, UT), a bill to permit the payment of 
        medical expenses incurred by the United States Park Police in 
        the performance of duty to be made directly by the National 
        Park Service, to allow for waiver and indemnification in 
        mutual law enforcement agreements between the National Park 
        Service and a State or political subdivision when required by 
        State law, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 4410 (Murtha, PA), a bill to reauthorize the Southwestern 
        Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission, and for other 
        purposes.
o       S. 2546 (Cochran, MS), a bill making appropriations for 
        Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, 
        and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, year ending 
        September 20, 2001.  (Cape Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Title III, 
        Sec. 3108; NPS Construction, Chapter 3).
o       S. 2547 (Allard, CO), a bill to provide for the establishment 
        of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Great Sand Dunes 
        National Preserve in the State of Colorado, and for other 
        purposes.

NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: 

o       Public Law 106-192 - Designates a 12-mile segment of the 
        Lamprey Rive in the state of New Hampshire as a component of 
        the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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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