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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, October 24, 2000
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Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 08:34:27 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2000
ALMANAC
On this date in 1852, Daniel Webster died after a notable career as a
lawyer, U.S. senator, and secretary of state. He is commemorated in
Washington, D.C., by a 30-foot bronze statue in National Capital
Parks.
INCIDENTS
00-283 - National Capital Parks East (DC) - Follow-up: Resource
Violations
Additional details have been received on the investigation and court
case reported in last Friday's Morning Report. The full text of the
second report follows: On October 18th, T.L., 65, pled guilty
in federal district court to various environmental crimes charges
resulting from his ownership and operation of Anacostia Marina
Incorporated (AMI), a park concession which provides marina and boat
repair services. AMI pled guilty to one felony point source violation
of the federal Clean Water Act (33 USC 1311, 1319) for knowingly
discharging cleaning liquids, including acids, into the Anacostia
River while cleaning boats. AMI also pled guilty to one felony
commercial dumping violation under D.C. law for operating an
unauthorized dump at the marina. T.L. personally pled guilty to
making a false statement (18 USC 1001) to the U.S. Coast Guard when
reporting an oil spill at the marina to the National Response Center,
as required by the Oil Pollution Act. T.L. also pled guilty to one
misdemeanor charge of failing to report the spill to the D.C.
government. Sentencing is scheduled for January 17th. Following the
plea, U.S. attorney Wilma Lewis made this statement: "This prosecution
gives notice that the Anacostia River must be protected. People who
use, enjoy and benefit from the river will not be allowed to ignore
environmental regulations and put the quality of our environment at
risk." Lois Schiffer, assistant attorney general for the Environment
and Natural Resources Division, added the following: "We are
committed to restoring the Anacostia River and taking strong actions
against those who degrade it." The Anacostia River has been
identified as one of the ten most endangered rivers in the United
States by American Rivers, a non-profit group. The criminal case began
earlier this year after six years of efforts at obtaining
environmental compliance by the NPS and other agencies at the marina
had failed. The marina had previously been cited for 13 different
types of environmental, OSHA, and life safety violations. The
investigation was conducted by the FBI, DC environmental crimes unit,
and NCR Ranger Services. The NPS was represented by environmental
compliance officer Julia Hewitt and investigator Jon Crichfield. The
concessions contract expired on September 30th and has not been
renewed. Environmental remediation efforts at the marina are underway
at this time. (Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO; Washington Times; Washington
Post; USA Today 10/19]
00-662 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Assist: Helicopter Accident
On October 14th, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office asked park staff
to assist with a helicopter accident outside the park on the North
Rim. A Classic Lifeguard helicopter had crashed on take off during a
medevac three miles west of Jacob Lake. Ranger Jeff Martinelli
responded by vehicle; the park helicopter flew from the South Rim,
picked up ranger/park medic Ron Martin, and continued to the scene. By
the time they arrived, the crew of the downed helicopter had
extricated themselves and their patient, a 37-year-old woman who had
suffered trauma injuries in a horse-riding accident. It's not known
whether she received additional injuries in the crash. She was
transferred to the park helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical
Center. The helicopter's crew was taken to Page. The cause of the
accident is under investigation. [Bill Vandergraff, GRCA, 10/17]
00-663 - Amistad NRA (TX) - MVA with Fatality
Just before midnight on Saturday, October 21st, the driver of a
vehicle headed south on Highway 277 lost control of the car on a
bridge that crosses over Lake Amistad and struck the guardrail.
Passenger S.G., 21, of Kerrville, Texas, was ejected through
the passenger side window, went over the guardrail, and fell about 120
feet to his death on the dry lakebed below. The driver and vehicle
remained on the bridge. Texas DPS officers are leading the accident
investigation. Ranger Greg Garetz is assisting. [CRO, AMIS, 10/23]
00-664 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drug Arrest
On the morning of October 14th, rangers at Katherine Landing checked
out a trespassing complaint at a vacation trailer site in the trailer
village. They came upon a man who had been evicted from the trailer
two weeks earlier at the owner's requests. He was arrested. Further
investigation led to the discovery of signs that the trailer had been
used to manufacture methamphetamine. Local narcotics officers were
called in to help with the investigation and dismantle the lab.
Further investigation indicated that the man was renting out the
trailer to a known local drug dealer so he could manufacture drugs.
Rangers and local officers gathered sufficient information to seek
arrest warrants for several local drug dealers and determined the
location of two more labs in the Bullhead City area. The investigation
continues. [Ralph Patterson, DR, LAME, 10/19]
00-665 - Canaveral NS (FL) - Drug Seizure
On Friday, October 13th, a visitor reported that a suspicious package
had washed up on the Playalinda Beach. The package was identified as a
half-bale of marijuana, weighing about 30 pounds. A search of the
entire seashore led to the discovery of three more complete bales,
each weighing about 50 pounds. Another seven bales washed ashore on
area beaches south of the park. The estimated value of all bales was
placed at about $350,000. The Brevard County vice/narcotics unit and
Customs are leading the investigation. [John Nichols, ADR, CANA,
10/19]
00-666 - Amistad NRA (TX) - Drug Seizure
The Pecos subdistrict ranger was contacted by the Border Patrol on
October 9th and asked to assist with the apprehension of a number of
people involved in the smuggling of drugs across the border in a
remote section of the park. A group of a dozen smugglers had crossed
the Rio Grande on foot carrying processed marijuana. They were spotted
on a private ranch just outside the park. They were approached while
waiting for a vehicle to pick up their load near Highway 90; two were
apprehended, a third was arrested early the next morning, and the
other nine escaped. A total of 646 pounds of marijuana was seized.
[CRO, AMIS, 10/16]
00-667 - Andersonville NHS (GA) - Suicide
Visitors reported a body lying on one of the earthworks near the
prison on the afternoon of October 20th. Park staff responded and
found the body of a 24-year-old man and a handgun nearby. A suicide
note was found in his vehicle. Local sheriff's departments and the
Georgia Bureau of Investigation also responded. [Fred Sanchez, Chief,
I&RM, ANDE, 10/23]
CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No submissions.
INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES
No submissions.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
No submissions.
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
INTERCHANGE
No submissions.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Rosie the Riveter NM (CA) - CORRECTION: The deadline for applications
for a detail or temporary position opportunity to serve as park
manager of this recently created park is October 27th, not October
17th as was reported in yesterday's Morning Report. Contact Mary
Benard at 415-427-1342 for further information.
Dry Tortugas NP (FL) - The park is seeking a protection ranger
interested in a challenging tropical island career opportunity at this
diverse park, which includes Fort Jefferson, the park's cultural
centerpiece, and 100 square miles of the finest coral reef habitat in
North America. The park also provides the opportunity for snorkeling,
sailing, kayaking, and scuba diving in a world class setting. Because
the Service also maintains off-site quarters in unique Key West, a
great social life is very much part of the Dry Tortugas experience.
Although a boating background is certainly desirable, the park is
prepared to train the right person and give him or her solid
fundamental ranger skills. If you're interested in a ranger position
with a strong emphasis on boating, water-based SAR and EMS, consider
applying. For more information, contact Paul Taylor at 877-472-0977 or
via cc:Mail.
Lake Roosevelt NRA (WA) - The park is advertising for one to four
GS-025-5/7/9 STF law enforcement ranger positions. The four
announcements will close on November 10th. Announcement numbers are as
follows: FW0008 - OPM announcement for the GS-5/7 levels;
CCSO-00-61a - merit promotion announcement for the GS-5/7/9 levels;
CCSO-00-61b - competitive GS-9 announcement; CCSO-00-61c - GS-5/7
outstanding scholar announcement. The persons selected will be
responsible for visitor protection, natural/cultural resource
management, and visitor service functions. Primary duties include law
enforcement, DARE, criminal investigations, boating and frontcountry
patrols, search and rescue, EMS, wildland and structural fire
suppression, and natural and cultural resource management. These
rangers will work with local community members, concessioners, and
Native American tribes and will supervise VIP's and seasonals. Special
patrol emphases include resource protection and monitoring for
encroachments and degradation of park resources. For more information
on the area, duties and other matters, contact Daniel Mason at
509-633-9441 x 123.
Washington Office (DC) - The American Battlefield Protection Program
(ABPP) has announced an opening for a professional, interdisciplinary
position for an archaeologist (planner) or historian (planner). ABPP
provides guidance, support and seed money for battlefield
preservation, planning, interpretation, and education projects, and
conducts research related to program needs (e.g., Civil War,
Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Indian Wars). For more information
about ABPP, visit their web site at www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/index.htm.
For the complete job announcement, including duties, responsibilities,
and application procedures, see USAJobs. For further information,
please contact Paul Hawke at 202-343-1005 or via cc:Mail.
* * * * *
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.
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