NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, June 1, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed 
legislation to create Saratoga National Historical Park, New York.  It 
preserves the field of the decisive American victory over the British 
in 1777, a turning point of the Revolutionary War.

INCIDENTS

90-109 - Gulf Islands (MS/FL) - Follow-up on Murder of Ranger

On Sunday, May 28th, J.W., one of the two men convicted of the 
1990 murder of ranger Bob McGhee, escaped from the state penitentiary 
in Parchman, Mississippi. J.W. and a second prisoner cut through a 
metal plate under a window in the prison's maximum security unit. 
State authorities believe the escapees are still in the densely wooded 
area north of the prison and are concentrating their search in that 
area. On Thursday, May 24, 1990, J.W. and D.B. escaped 
from the Holmes Correctional Institution in Bonifay, Florida, then 
kidnapped a hotel clerk, brought her to a motel in Ocean Springs, 
Mississippi, and raped her. The woman was able to escape from her 
captors two days later; D.B. and J.W. fled into the park in their 
stolen pickup. McGhee stopped their truck and was shot and killed as 
he was approaching the vehicle. J.W. at the time was serving 15 
years in jail for a number of crimes, including burglary, drug 
possession, battery on a law enforcement officer, and a previous 
prison escape. [Mark Lewis, DR, GUIS, 5/31]

00-216 - Rock Creek Park (DC) - Follow-up on Serious HazMat Spill

An unknown toxic substance was released into Rock Creek by an 
industrial plant in Silver Spring, Maryland, some time around May 
18th. The unknown substance flowed downstream and entered the District 
of Columbia and the waters of Rock Creek Park, killing over 100,000 
fish. On May 22nd, lab analysis confirmed that the substance was the 
insecticide cypermethrin, which is highly toxic to aquatic life and 
can be toxic to humans in high concentrations. This information 
greatly aided the investigative team in identifying potential sources 
of the spill. On May 26th, the multi-agency investigative team served 
a search warrant on Pied Piper Pest Control in Silver Spring, 
Maryland, to obtain additional information and evidence.  As of May 
29th, Rock Creek remained closed pending assurances that the levels of 
insecticide in the stream have returned to safe levels. It's expected 
that it will take several years for aquatic life to recover in the 
stream. Investigative and damage assessment efforts continue. Media 
interest remains high. (Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 5/30)

00-234 - Olympic NP (WA) - Follow-up on Search

The body of 22-year-old J.B. of Forks, Washington, was found by 
members of the park's dive team on the morning of May 30th. It was 
found in the area where his canoe overturned due to wind and waves on 
the afternoon of the 29th. J.B. was not wearing a life jacket, and 
there were no life jackets or flotation devices in the canoe at the 
time of the accident. [Barb Maynes, PIO, OLYM, 5/30]

00-236 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Drowning

E.M., 17, who drowned in the lake at Government Wash on May 
30th, was one of three teenagers swimming at that location. A second 
17-year-old nearly drowned in his efforts to rescue E.M. and 
required treatment at the hospital in Las Vegas. He was found to have 
a blood alcohol level of .238 and had also been smoking marijuana. 
Investigator Gary Sebade is attempting to find out who purchased the 
alcohol for the teens. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, 
LAME, 5/31]

00-238 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Structural Fire

Park and concession fire crews responded to a structural fire in the 
Yosemite Concession Services garage just after 10 p.m. on May 25th. 
The fire was confined to several small rooms and the attic. The 
building had been remodeled many times since it was constructed in the 
1930's, creating void spaces. The fire had extended into several of 
these void spaces, which made overhaul efforts more difficult. The 
origin of the fire was determined to have been a diesel-fired steam 
cleaning unit which had been in service when the fire started. The 
exact cause, however, has not yet been determined. Damage to the 
building and its contents has been placed at $20,000. Seventeen NPS 
and YCS personnel responded. [Deron Mills, FMO, YOSE, 5/30]

00-239 - New River Gorge (WV) - Train Derailment

On the morning of May 29th, a CSX coal train derailed within the park 
at Long Bottom, about two miles upstream from Sandstone Falls. The 
derailment occurred when the track pulled apart as the train was 
passing through the area.  A section of track about 1800 feet long  
was destroyed and 17 fully-loaded coal cars derailed, spilling about 
2,000 tons of coal on park land. CSX crews contained the spill and 
none of it reached the New River. No other contaminants were involved 
and there were no injuries in the accident. CSX is actively involved 
in cleaning up the spilled coal; rangers and resource management staff 
are monitoring the cleanup efforts and assessing environmental 
impacts.  The derailed cars will be removed for salvage beginning 
tomorrow.  CSX planned to have the tracks open by the evening of May 
30th. [Rick Brown, ACR/Operations, NERI, 5/31]

00-240 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Train-Car MVA

A CSX coal train hit a vehicle parked along the tracks in the Thayer 
area on the morning of May 28th. C.D. of Thayer, the 
driver of the vehicle, pulled it up alongside the railroad tracks, 
parked, and fell asleep in the driver's seat. Unfortunately, the rear 
of C.D.'s car extended over the tracks. When the coal train came by 
at about 3:30 a.m., the engineer was unable to stop it before it hit 
the car, knocking it off the tracks. C.D. was not injured - in fact, 
he was not even awakened. C.D. was arrested for parking in a 
railroad right-of-way and for creating a hazardous condition. Alcohol 
was a major factor in the incident, which was jointly investigated by 
the park and the county sheriff's department. [Rick Brown, 
ACR/Operations, NERI, 5/31]

00-241 - George Washington Memorial Parkway/C&O Canal (VA/DC) -        
         Fisheries Enforcement Operation 

On May 27th, a multi-agency task force concluded "Task Force Potomac," 
a fisheries enforcement operation on the Potomac River in the Little 
Falls/Chain Bridge area. The operation took place over six days during 
a one-month period. Citations were issued for over 420 violations, 
including the illegal catching of striped bass and shad, use of cast 
nets, snagging, fishing without a license, and a multitude of public 
use violations. Hundreds of pounds of highly prized anadromous striped 
bass were seized, some of which was donated to a homeless shelter. The 
operation also gained valuable intelligence on potential commercial 
fishing violations. No injuries occurred during the operation despite 
the rugged terrain in the area. Participating in the task force were 
the Park Police officers, NPS rangers and EMS personnel, USFWS agents, 
and officers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Marine 
Resources Commission, Maryland National Capital Park Police, DC Harbor 
Police, and Arlington Police. (Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 5/30)

00-242 - Buffalo NR (AR) - Storm Impacts

Heavy rains caused area flooding and forced the closure of portions of 
river over the Memorial Day weekend. Several visitor vehicles were 
submerged by flood waters; an accurate count has not yet been made. A 
number of visitors were evacuated from the Rush campground, and 
rangers assisted at least 50 people caught by the flood. There were no 
injuries or deaths. Additional information pending. [Patty Rooney, 
BUFF, via MWRO, 5/31]

00-243 - Joshua Tree NP (CA) - Multiple Incidents/Arrests

Over the period from Thursday, April 27th, to Saturday, April 29th, 
officers from seven federal, state and local agencies joined rangers 
in a saturation patrol of the eastern Coachella Valley. Twenty-four 
officers and rangers in two CHP aircraft, 15 marked units, and two 
unmarked units covered the area. Four arrests were made for weapons, a 
parole violation and outstanding warrants; 28 citations were issued 
for illegal dumping and for vehicle and county code violations. Two 
"rave" parties were dispersed, two stolen and one abandoned vehicle 
were recovered, and investigations were conducted for reptile 
poaching, spotlighting and recreational shooting. The operation was 
coordinated by ranger Jeff Ohlfs.  [Judy Bartzatt, CR, JOTR, 5/31]

00-244 - Natchez Trace Parkway (MS/AL/TN) - Suicide

The body of a 36-year-old man from Ridgeland, Mississippi, was found 
next to his vehicle in a pullout near the Ridgeland District Office on 
May 25th. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. 
Ranger Ron Jackson notified his wife and learned that her husband had 
been feeling depressed. He'd also left a note. [Tim Francis, DCR, 
NATR, 5/26]

00-245 - Natchez Trace Parkway (MS/AL/TN) - Suicide

On May 31st, a visitor pulling into the West Florida Boundary pullout 
saw a body next to a parked car and notified local police, who then 
notified rangers. They found the body of a 46-year-old man from 
Jackson with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Two notes - 
one for his wife, one for his daughter - were found in the vehicle. 
This was the second suicide in this district in one week; the other 
occurred just four miles south of this location. [Tim Francis, DCR, 
NATR, 5/31]

                        [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported in the South yesterday. Crews made 
significant progress on several of the large fires in the Four Corners 
area. Initial attack was moderate in Florida and light elsewhere.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 178 crews (+ 58), 
1,018 overhead (+ 316), 267 engines (+ 28), 55 helicopters (+ 6), and 
40 air tankers (+ 3).

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

NPS FIRES

Bandelier NM (NM) - An area command team and two Type II incident 
management teams remain committed to the Cerro Grande fire, which is 
98% contained. Fire activity increased yesterday due to afternoon 
heating, but there was very little torching or spread. Isolated smokes 
persist on some unburned islands within the fire perimeter. 
Construction of fireline and aggressive mop-up continue between Santa 
Clara Canyon and Cerro Grande. 

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Kaibab NF (AZ) - The Pumpkin fire (25 miles northwest of Flagstaff) 
has now burned 10,200 acres and is 50% contained. The fire made a run 
to the east yesterday. Burnout operations have successfully buffered 
private lands and structures from the fire. Crews are preparing for 
more firing operations.

Santa Fe NF (NM) - The Viveash fire (five miles northwest of Pecos) 
has burned 23,500 acres and is 15% contained. The fire spread on its 
northern and eastern edges and spotted into the head of Gallinas 
Canyon. Crews and dozers made significant progress on the south and 
west flanks.

BLM: Vernal Field Office (UT) - A Type II team is managing the 
3,272-acre Sweetwater fire (50 miles southeast of Vernal). Strong 
winds and low relative humidity caused major fire activity yesterday. 
The fire is 10% contained.

OUTLOOK

NICC has posted a RED FLAG WARNING for low relative humidity and 
strong wind in the Sacramento Valley in northern California and a FIRE 
WEATHER WATCH for low relative humidity in central Florida and central 
and eastern South Carolina.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/1]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No submissions.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

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

Wednesday, June 14th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Oversight hearing to 
review the final rules and regulations issued by the NPS relating to 
Title IV of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 
concerning park concessions. The hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in 
366 Dirksen.

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.

The session will be held in 366 Dirksen.

Thursday, June 15th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Oversight hearing on 
the General Accounting Office's March report entitled "Need to Address 
Management Problems that Plague the Concessions Program." 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 16th):

o       H.R. 4510 (Taylor, NC), a bill to designate the Blue Ridge 
        Parkway headquarters building in Asheville, North Carolina, as 
        the "Gary E. Everhardt Headquarters Building". 
o       H.R. 4521 (Hill, MT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to authorize and provide funding for rehabilitation 
        of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, to 
        authorize funds for maintenance of utilities related to the 
        Park, and for other purposes. 
o       H.R. 4560 (Cubin, WY), a bill to provide for the use of 
        snowmobiles in National parks.
o       H.R. 4574 (Udall, NM), a bill to authorize the Secretary of 
        the Interior to make compensation for damages arising from a 
        prescribed burn on the Bandelier National Monument in the 
        State of New Mexico.
o       S. 2627 (Burns, MT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to provide funding for rehabilitation of the 
        Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, to authorize 
        funds for maintenance of utilities related to the Park, and 
        for other purposes. 
o       S. 2638 (Cochran, MS), a bill to adjust the boundaries of the 
        Gulf Islands National Seashore to include Cat Island, 
        Mississippi.

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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