NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, June 6, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1912, one of the world's largest recorded volcanic 
eruptions occurred near Mount Katmai in southwestern Alaska.  In 1918 
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Katmai National Monument - now 
Katmai National Park - to protect the "Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes."

INCIDENTS

96-35 - Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD) - Follow-up: Triple Homicide

On May 19th, a federal jury in Greenbelt convicted W.H. in 
the kidnapping and murder of three young women from the District of 
Columbia on January 27, 1996. W.H. was convicted on three counts of 
first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping. The women were 
shot to death on federal land. Federal prosecutors are seeking the 
death penalty. W.H.'s co-defendant, D.H., is scheduled to go 
on trial for kidnapping and murder in September. This successful 
conviction was the culmination of countless hours of investigation by 
detectives in the USPP Criminal Investigations Branch. [Sgt. R. 
MacLean, USPP, NCR, 5/31]

00-249 - Glen Canyon NRA (UT/AZ) - Memorial Day Weekend Incidents

The holiday weekend, which is traditionally one of the liveliest 
anywhere in the system, was busy but manageable. There was 24-hour 
protection coverage in the two busiest subdistricts, Wahweap and 
Bullfrog, made possible through the assistance of a number of 
neighboring parks - Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Mesa Verde, 
Curecanti, Dinosaur, and Canyonlands. County and state agencies also 
helped out. A total of 811 case incidents were recorded over the 
weekend, including a rape, nine weapons violations, ten disorderly 
conducts, 59 alcohol-related violations, ten boat and jet ski 
accidents, and 26 EMS calls. An interagency drug task force spent the 
weekend in Bullfrog and made eleven drug arrests. Another 27 drug 
arrests were recorded by Utah Highway Patrol and Kane County officers. 
Cocaine, mushrooms and "Ecstasy" were commonly found. Only one major 
SAR occurred. Rangers reunited a 15-year-old girl with her family 
after she spent a night stranded on a ledge 1,000 feet above the lake. 
[Cindy Ott-Jones, CR, GLCA, 6/2]

00-250 - Mount Rainier NP (WA) - Rescue

Two members of a guided climbing party were rescued after they were 
injured by an icefall while attempting to climb Mount Rainier on 
Sunday, June 4th. The accident occurred at 3:30 a.m. around the 
11,500-foot level of the Ingraham Glacier, just south of 
Disappointment Cleaver. Four climbers roped together in two teams were 
hit by debris from a serac that toppled above them. The two climbers 
on the first team, higher on the glacier, sustained only minor 
injuries; the two climbers on the second team were more seriously 
injured, suffering facial trauma and head lacerations. Rangers and 
Rainier Mountaineering (RMI) guides stationed at Camp Muir were 
notified shortly after 4 a.m. They climbed to the scene of the 
accident with oxygen and medical supplies, then assisted the climbers 
in their descent to Camp Muir, where a helicopter picked them up. The 
injured climbers were flown to the Kautz Creek helibase inside the 
park. One of them, an RMI guide, had been hit in the face by ice. 
Airlift Northwest flew him to Harborview Medical Center. The other 
climber, a client, suffered head lacerations from the falling ice, but 
was fortunately wearing a helmet. He was met by ambulance and 
transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. The other two climbers were 
able to descend the mountain under their own power. Steve Winslow was 
IC for the incident. [Maria Gillett, MORA, 6/4]

00-251 - Fredericksburg NMP (VA) - Special Event

The park hosted the fourth annual Memorial Day weekend luminaria in 
its national cemetery on Marye's Heights on May 27th. Over 16,000 
luminaries were set out by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to honor 
all of the nation's war dead. More than 4,500 people came to see the 
luminaria during the three-hour event despite the rainy weather. [Mike 
Johnson, CR, FRSP, 6/5]

00-252 - Ozark NSR (MO) - Assist; Marijuana Arrests/Convictions

In September, 1999, local drug enforcement officers learned that 
H.E. and R.F. were growing marijuana in the Mark 
Twain NF, south of Ozark NSR. Sources also revealed that H.E. had 
been in the marijuana growing business for over 20 years. USFS 
officers, an NPS special agent, county deputies and other officers 
participating in the area drug task force employed electronic 
surveillance and on-site monitoring of eleven plots with over a 
thousand plants for nearly two months. H.E. and R.F. were 
subsequently arrested for growing the plants. On April 24th, the two 
men pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to cultivate, 
manufacture and distribute marijuana. H.E. also pled guilty to a 
second felony count of maintaining a place for the purpose of 
manufacturing, distributing, and/or using a controlled substance; 
R.F. pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute. Under 
a plea agreement for first time offenses, each received six-and-a-half 
year sentences with no right of appeal. Two pickup trucks, $13,000 in 
cash, two $5,000 money orders, a mobile home and a 20-acre land tract 
were also forfeited to the United States. [Dan Madrid, OZAR, 6/1]

                   [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported in the South and Southwest yesterday. 
Initial attack was light to moderate.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 155 crews (+ 16), 
851 overhead (- 97), 219 engines (+ 49), 55 helicopters (- 8), and 0 
air tankers (no change).

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

NPS FIRES

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - There was a 500-acre slopover along  the 
eastern flank of the 13,350-acre Outlet fire on Sunday, forcing the 
closure of Point Imperial Road. Inaccessible terrain, low fuel 
moisture and above normal temperatures are making containment very 
difficult. Due to the dryness, preparations are underway for parkwide 
trail closures, some limits on backcountry use, and implementation of 
areas where smoking will be prohibited. [See also "Parks and People" 
below).

Bandelier NM (NM) - An area command team and two Type II incident 
management teams remain committed to the Cerro Grande fire, which 
remains 98% contained (no change from yesterday). BAER team members 
are wrapping up their final assessments and recommendations for 
treatments to reduce the risk of flooding in and around Los Alamos and 
neighboring sites.  A final report is expected on the week of June 
12th. Most team members have returned or are in the process of 
returning to home locations.  The team presented its findings and 
recommendations at a public meeting on June 2nd in Los Alamos.  About 
225 people attended.  A thunderstorm dropping a half inch of rain 
preceded the public meeting and concern arose over possible flooding, 
but this did not occur and observations indicated that little seed was 
eroded from slopes, particularly where contour raking took place 
(raking reduced the water repellency of the ground that occurred as a 
result of the fire).  Excellent results were also noted in areas where 
contour felling and grade control structures were in place.  About 
7,000 acres in the burned area had been aerial seeded as of Saturday.  
One plane and one helicopter should complete the seeding this week.  
They are employing 720,000 pounds of seed mix made up of annual 
ryegrass and barley and native mountain brome and slender wheatgrass. 
The two annuals are nurse seeds and will die out in two or more years. 
Eight remote area weather stations (RAWS) are being installed at 
critical watershed locations to give advanced warning for potential 
flooding.  Stations will be set to sound a warning when precipitation 
in a ten-minute period reaches a critical level and will be monitored 
around the clock by the Los Alamos County Police Department.  About 
450 volunteers assisted with erosion control projects in Los Alamos 
and White Rock on June 3rd.  A similar number participated the 
previous Saturday. Volunteers raked, seeded, and mulched on critical 
slopes above Los Alamos residences.  Volunteers in White Rock removed 
debris from channels, filled sand bags, and stacked them to construct 
low walls along the channels. Two Type II incident command teams  
(north and south) are in place to implement certain emergency 
rehabilitation projects before the annual monsoons hit the area.  Over 
800 firefighters are working in the burned area, including placement 
of log erosion barriers, hazard tree removal, road and suppression 
line rehabilitation, and contour felling. 

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Cibola NF (NM) - There are nine fires in the Magdalena complex, with 
is burning west of Socorro. Two of the fires have not yet been 
contained. Crews are building fire lines, holding the perimeters of 
the contained fires and attacking new starts. A Type II team is 
assigned.

Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (NV) - The 3,000-acres Buck Springs fire is 
burning in the Mt. Charleston wilderness ten miles east of Pahrump. 
Bristlecone pine stands and other sensitive areas are threatened. 
Major spotting and uphill runs were observed yesterday.

Florida State (FL) - The Microwave fire, which began on May 5th, 
burned out of containment lines yesterday and has now grown to 5,000 
acres. 

OUTLOOK

NICC has posted a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for gusty winds and low relative 
humidity in central Florida today.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/6; Sonya Capek, IO, BAER 
Team, 6/5; Mike Warren, NPS Fire Management Program Center, 6/5]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

San Antonio Missions NHP (TX) - Africanized Honey Bees

A hive of Africanized honey bees was discovered in a water cutoff box 
in the ground next to a non-historic structure at Mission San Jose 
last week. The hive was found during one of the park's routine 
monitoring patrols to identify environmental hazards at job sites or 
in areas open to the public. The hive was destroyed by the park's IPM 
coordinator in accordance with the park's approved IPM plan. [Editor's 
note: These bees are noted for their very aggressive behavior. Attacks 
by Africanized bees caused trail closures and similar exterminations 
in Saguaro NP back in April).

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No submissions.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Due to extreme fire activity, the park is 
looking for protection rangers to assist with fire security details. 
The details will last for 14 days and backfill is available to the 
home park. Interested parties who have supervisory approval should 
contact Grand Canyon fire base at 520-638-7855.

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 7th

House Resources Subcommittee on Forest and Forest Health 
(Chenoweth-Hage) and Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Joint oversight hearing on fire management on federal lands. 
The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. in 1334 Longworth.

Thursday June 8th

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

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. 3520, a bill to designate White Clay Creek (Delaware and 
        Pennsylvania) as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
o       H.R. 3745 (Nussle, IA), a bill to authorize the addition of 
        certain parcels to the Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa.

The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth. 

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.

Tuesday, June 13th

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

o       H.R. 4420 (Murtha, PA), a bill to reauthorize the Southwestern 
        Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission, and for other 
        purposes.
o       H.R. 3693 (Simpson, ID), a bill to provide for the acquisition 
        of Castle Rock Ranch in the state of Idaho and to authorize 
        the use of the acquired ranch in a series of land exchanges 
        involving lands within the boundaries of the City of Rocks 
        National Reserve and the Hagerman Fossil Beds National 
        Monument.

The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.

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.

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.

Thursday, June 22nd

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Oversight hearing on Yosemite NP's new transportation plan 
and access issues. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in 1324 
Longworth.

Tuesday, June 27th

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

o       H.R. 3190, a bill to establish the Oil Region National 
        Heritage Area in Pennsylvania. 
o       H.R. 4187, a bill to establish an interpretive center and 
        trail system at Diamond Valley Lake in California.
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. 

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in 1324 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 (May 16th): No new bills (Congress has been in recess).

NEW LAWS

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

o       Public Law 106-208 (May 26th) - Authorization of National 
        Historic Preservation Fund. This law reauthorizes the National 
        Historic Preservation Fund until 2005 and also makes several 
        technical and conforming amendments to the original act, which 
        passed in October, 1966.
o       Public Law 106-206 (May 26th) - Fee Reform for Commercial 
        Uses. This law authorizes the requirement of a permit and the 
        establishment of a reasonable fee for commercial filming 
        activities on federal lands. The Secretary of the Interior and 
        the Secretary of Agriculture will each administer these 
        requirements on lands only under their respective 
        jurisdictions.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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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