NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, November 8, 2000

                            *** NOTICE ***

There will be no Morning Report on either Thursday or Friday. Morning 
Reports will resume on Monday, November 13th.

ALMANAC

On this date in 1932, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York 
defeated President Herbert Hoover in the first of four presidential 
elections he would win.  Roosevelt voted from his home at Hyde Park, 
now Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

INCIDENTS

00-017 - Glacier NP (MT) - Follow-up: Poaching Conviction

On November 1st, B.P. of Browning, Montana, was convicted 
in federal district court for illegally killing two bighorn sheep rams 
in the park earlier this year. The jury found him guilty of two felony 
provisions of the Lacey Act which apply to crimes in which there is 
intent to sell illegally-taken wildlife parts. The jury acquitted 
G.H., also of Browning, on all charges of Lacey Act 
violations and conspiracy. B.P.'s defense included motions for 
dismissal on all charges that were based on disputation of the 
placement of the park's boundary and his perceived retention of 
hunting rights within the park as a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. 
These motions were rejected in pre-trial proceedings. The two men were 
indicted last May for conspiring to kill three bighorn sheep for the 
purpose of selling their curled horns. The incident took place on 
January 18th on Spot Mountain in Two Medicine Valley. The three 
carcasses were seized at the scene; the head of one of the rams was 
recovered on the Blackfeet Reservation. The investigation was 
conducted jointly by the NPS and Fish and Wildlife Service with the 
cooperation of the Blackfeet Tribe. [Amy Vanderbilt, PIO, GLAC, 11/3]

00-689 - Everglades NP (FL) - Employee Death

Contract specialist M.C. passed away suddenly on October 31st. 
Monte had worked at the park for the past 17 years; prior to coming to 
Everglades, he'd worked for other Department of Interior agencies in 
Washington, Denver and Albuquerque, and had worked with NOAA as a 
computer specialist. He began his federal career in the Department of 
the Army in 1968. M.C. touched many lives and will be missed greatly 
by his family, friends, co-workers and all who knew him. His 
dedication to his job was well known, but his sense of humor, cheerful 
personality and kindness will be remembered most of all.  Condolences 
may be sent to his wife, MA.C., and family. Services were held Saturday,
November 4th, at the  Stanfill Funeral Home, 10545 S. Dixie Highway.
[Walter Chavez, AO EVER]

00-690 - Delaware Water Gap NRA (PA/NJ) - Special Event

On the weekend of November 4th, the park hosted the United States 
Orienteering Federation's nationally-sanctioned championships in the 
area surrounding the Pocono Environmental Education Center, located in 
the park's Pennsylvania District. There were 600 registered 
participants representing 20 states and 10 countries. Orienteering is 
a sport in which participants use a highly-detailed map and a compass 
to find points called "controls" in the landscape. A standard 
cross-country orienteering course consists of a start, a series of 
control sites that are to be visited in sequential order, and a 
finish.  The route between control sites is not specified and is 
entirely up to the orienteer.  Courses were offered based on age and 
technical ability.  Ages ranged from small children with their parents 
to several participants who were over 70; course lengths ranged from 
2.5 to 8 kilometers. There was one reported injury.  On Saturday, a 
participant impaled his upper thigh on a stick and had to be evacuated 
by the park's rescue team.  He was treated and released from the 
hospital that night. Sunday's course ran smoothly, with no reported 
injuries.  (Michele Kuna, SPU Coordinator, DEWA, 11/7)

FIRE SITUATION

Shenandoah NP (VA) - The Shenandoah Complex (19,172 acres, 60% 
contained) consists of the Pinnacles Fire and the Old Rag Fire, which 
have burned together into one fire. Firefighters took advantage of 
cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Monday to make headway 
against the fire. Bulldozers and hand crews constructed line on the 
east flank of the fire. Crews followed behind, lighting leaves and 
other vegetation, which burned back into the approaching fire. 
Committed to the fire are 831 firefighters and overhead, 36 engines, 
three water tenders, eight bulldozers and nine aircraft. Closures 
remain the same as previously noted. For more information, call 
540-999-3311 or check the website at www.shenandoahfires.com [Lyn 
Rothgeb, SHEN, 11/7]

Big South Fork NRRA (KY/TN) - The Big South Fork Complex (6,555 acres, 
100% contained) consists of the School House Fire, Poplar Springs 
Branch Fire, Darrow Ridge Fire, and Camp Branch Fire. The area 
received a little rain on Monday. The fires remained within 
containment lines on Monday and were fully contained as of 6 p.m. last 
night. A total of 67 people remain committed to the complex; many 
firefighters have been released to work on other fires. The park will 
resume management of the fires today. A hotshot crew and two engines 
will remain on duty in the park in order to attack any new starts. For 
more information on camping and fire restrictions, call park 
headquarters at 423-569-9778. [Kris Fister, IO, IMT, 11/7]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Sig Sauer Weapons Problems - In September, the NPS became aware of a 
National Institute of Justice - National Law Enforcement and 
Corrections Technology Center (NIJ-NLECTC) study of auto-loading 
pistols for law enforcement agencies.  NIJ tests a wide array of 
firearms on a regular and recurring basis (every few years) and makes 
recommendations on them.  In a bulletin issued last January, the 
center published its 1999 test results. Evaluators found problems with 
six of the 23 pistols tested, including the .40 caliber Sig Sauer 
(P229). According to NIJ, this weapon failed in two areas. It failed 
the model qualification firing test, which involves firing 600 rounds 
with fewer than five malfunctions.  Malfunctions included failure to 
feed, fire or eject a round, failure to accept or eject a magazine, or 
failure of the slide to remain open after the last round was fired. 
And the weapon failed the drop safety requirement. This test involves 
dropping the weapon onto a rubber mat over concrete from a height of 
four feet from seven different angles.  If the weapon goes off, it 
fails. On October 3rd, NPS/FLETC armorer Joe Johnson contacted Sig 
Sauer regarding the NIJ test and bulletin. Sig Sauer did not agree 
with the study and made the following statement: "SIG Arms Inc. has 
complete faith and confidence in their P229 Model pistol as being one 
of the finest combat semi-automatic pistols made in the world today.  
Accordingly, SIG Arms Inc. has respectfully taken exception with the 
NIJ-NLECTC's testing standards and methodology and their subsequent 
findings concerning the SIG SAUER .40 caliber pistol (P229).  SIG Arms 
Inc., therefore, has respectfully requested that NIJ allow a 
re-testing of the P229-40 caliber pistol. SIG Arms Inc., hereby takes 
this opportunity to reaffirm that all of the SIG SAUER P229-40 caliber 
semi-automatic pistols sold to the National Park Service meet Sporting 
Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) standards and 
industry technical specification.  Please be assured that we will keep 
you informed of our progress with NIJ and with our resetting efforts." 
If you have any questions, please contact Joe Johnson at 912-267-3554 
or send him an email message. (Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

"Wildland Fire Portion on Fiscal Year 2001 Interior Appropriations 
Bill," signed on November 6th by Director Stanton and sent to all 
associate directors and regional directors. The full text follows:

"Effective November 1, 2000, I delegated the authority for the 
National Park Service (NPS) implementation and coordination of the 
wildland fire requirements contained in the fiscal year 2001 Interior 
Appropriations Bill and the President's Fire Initiative (National Fire 
Plan) to Rick Gale.  Rick, working through Associate Director Richard 
Ring, has organized an Incident Management Team to ensure that the 
requirements in both the Appropriations Bill and National Fire Plan 
are completely met within the mandated time frames.

"This effort is more than a Fire Management Program Center (FMPC) 
responsibility.  It will require major involvement with natural and 
cultural resources management, environmental compliance, human 
resources, contracting, public affairs, etc.  In short, the success of 
meeting mandated program and reporting requirements will require the 
involvement and assistance of the entire NPS.

"The Incident Management Team has been given the authority to request 
and use any resource or support that the team deems necessary to 
accomplish this task.  I expect every unit and function within the NPS 
to promptly and proactively respond to request for assistance made by 
the Incident Management Team.

"This effort and response is a top priority for the NPS and the 
Department of the Interior.  We all must work together to ensure the 
completion and success of this project."

The full text of that delegation appears below:

"Effective November 1, 2000, I have delegated to you and your Incident 
Management Team the authority to gather information, prepare the 
required reports, assure that the requirements are met and ensure the 
implementation of the wildland fire portion of the fiscal year 2001 
Department of the  Interior Appropriations Bill, as well as the report 
to the President entitled 'Managing the Impact of Wildfires on 
Communities and the Environment.' 

Specifically, you are to:

o       Manage the overall National Park Service (NPS) implementation 
        of the wildland fire authorities and programs in the 2001 
        Interior Appropriations Bill and the President's Fire 
        Initiative (National Fire Plan).
o       Represent the NPS with other bureaus and agencies and the 
        Congress to assure a coordinated, consolidated response and 
        implementation.
o       Coordinate with state and local governments in the 
        implementation of the National Fire Plan.
o       Ensure that all appropriate disciplines and functions within 
        the NPS are represented and consulted in this process.
o       Develop the overall strategy for implementation of the NPS 
        wildland fire budgets and programs for 2001 and succeeding 
        years.
o       Adhere to the timelines established in the fiscal year 2001 
        Interior Appropriations Bill regarding wildland fire.
o       Coordinate public and media information regarding this 
        initiative with the NPS Office of Public Affairs, the 
        Department and the United States Forest Service.
o       Review your staffing needs and request additional support or 
        personnel from throughout the Service as needed to meet all 
        requirements.
o       Keep senior NPS management periodically advised of the 
        progress and status of this project.

"You should report to Associate Director, Park Operations and 
Education, Richard G. Ring."

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Denali NP&P (AK) - The park is recruiting for a GS-025-12/13 chief 
ranger. The chief ranger at Denali is responsible for performing a 
full range of duties normally assigned in a large park and is a key 
member of the park management team. He/she has parkwide responsibility 
for protection of visitors, resources and employees, provision of 
visitor services, and oversight of the park wilderness and 
mountaineering programs. The full announcement can be obtained at 
USAJobs.  For more information, contact acting chief ranger J.D. Swed 
at 907-683-9522.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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