NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, November 20, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1969, fourteen American Indians landed on Alcatraz, 
beginning a protracted occupation of the island to win support for 
their causes. Alcatraz is now part of Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area.

INCIDENTS

00-711 - Point Reyes NS (CA) - Serious Employee Injury

On the afternoon of November 3rd, park trail crew employee Shawn 
Maloney was off-duty and on his way home from the post office on his 
motorcycle when he was struck by a drunk driver who crossed the center 
line of a park road.  Rangers and Marin County ambulance personnel 
responded and provided EMS support until he was evacuated by 
helicopter to an area trauma center. The driver, a woman from the 
local community who failed to stop at the scene, was apprehended 
several miles away by California Highway Patrol officers, county 
deputies and rangers.  Efforts to locate the driver were already 
underway when the accident occurred, following the receipt of drunk 
driver reports from visitors and employees. The case is being 
investigated by CHP.  Charges against the driver are pending in state 
court for felony DUI, vehicular assault, and hit and run. Maloney has 
undergone several surgeries for massive leg and foot injuries, and 
it's not yet known if he will lose part of his left foot. He's 
expected to remain hospitalized until Thanksgiving. [Karyl Yeston, DR, 
PORE, 11/17]

00-712 - Sleeping Bear Dunes NL (MI) - Search 

When W.W., 32, failed to meet his hunting partners at the 
appointed time and place on the afternoon of November 16th, they 
checked some possible locations for him, then called 911. Rangers were 
dispatched and made an unsuccessful effort to find him. Additional 
help was brought in. W.W. was described by his companions as 
inexperienced in the outdoors; they also reported that he was poorly 
equipped for survival, and that he had a prosthetic leg. Temperatures 
were in the low 30s, with wind chill readings around zero. Over the 
course of the night and following morning, the search escalated to 
include three dog teams, a Coast Guard helicopter, and 75 ground 
searchers from six volunteer fire and rescue departments and eight 
other agencies. Fourteen park employees were involved. W.W. walked 
out at 8:30 the next morning. He said that he'd become disoriented, so 
made a pine bough bed for the night. Although he had seen the 
helicopter and heard search sirens, he was afraid to leave his 
prepared bed, so waited for the morning. [Tom Van Zoeren, PR, SLBE, 
11/19]

00-713 - Jimmy Carter NHS (GA) - Special Event

President and Mrs. Carter and a number of other dignitaries attended a 
ceremony on November 17th dedicating Jimmy Carter Boyhood Home. Over 
1800 people attended the ceremony, along with many representatives 
from the media. [Stacey Mathews, Administrative Assistance, JICA, 
11/17]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Plan

No new information. Please check the NPS Fire Management Program 
Center web page (www.fire.nps.gov) for further information on fire 
plan projects.

Park Fires

Shenandoah NP (VA) - The burned area recovery (BAR) team was called in 
following the Shenandoah Complex Fire. Their findings reveal the 
following: 

o       Vegetation - Overall, the burn effects on the hardwood forest 
        were found to be minimal. Large trees have survived within the 
        majority of the burned area. There are some areas along 
        Skyline Drive and in the forest where the above-ground 
        portions of mountain laurel have been killed. The laurels, 
        though, are still alive and will sprout vigorously from their 
        bases next spring.  Invasion of non-native plant species has 
        been the main concern of the vegetation specialists. Concern 
        is highest in areas where vegetation has been removed, such as 
        overlooks, and areas affected by suppression activities, such 
        as fire lines created by bulldozers or hand crews. Plans are 
        in place to monitor the area for non-native plants for the 
        next three years, re-seed native grasses on very vulnerable 
        sites (bulldozer lines, overlooks), and spot control 
        non-native plants if they are found within the burn area.
o       Soil and watershed - The Shenandoah Complex fires consumed 
        mostly ground fuels and leaf litter.  In many cases, the leaf 
        litter was charred but not completely consumed.  However, the 
        effective ground cover in these areas has been reduced.  
        Moderate to strong hydrophobicity (water repellency) was found 
        in some areas, but is very spotty and covers only 15 to 20% of 
        the area.  A few areas have strong water repellency, but these 
        areas had strong water repellency prior to the fire.  Nearly 
        all soils have a dense network of fine roots near the surface 
        that were not damaged by the fire and will reduce the 
        potential for erosion.  In addition, most of the soils have 
        large amounts of rock fragments on the surface that will offer 
        additional protection from erosion.  The vast majority of the 
        burn area was characterized by low burn severity.  All of the 
        above factors combine to create a situation where a 
        significant increase in runoff or erosion is not expected.  
        Because of the low burn severity, impacts to human life, 
        property, and critical natural and cultural resources within 
        and downstream of the burned areas are expected to be minimal. 
        No watershed treatments are recommended.
o       Archaeological resources - The majority of recorded cultural 
        sites within the fire area date to the historic period.  
        Because of their wooden construction, these sites are more 
        vulnerable to damage.   While the fire was of low burn 
        severity, it was hot enough to shatter some surface artifacts. 
        Where possible, firefighters protected standing structures, 
        including the Jenkins and Corbin Cabins. Archaeological 
        assessment is now determining if other historic sites were 
        damaged.  Fire-damaged archaeological sites will be protected 
        as needed to prevent further loss of information to 
        accelerated erosion. 
o       Wildlife and fisheries - One federally-listed threatened and 
        endangered species is known to occur within the burned area.  
        The Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) is known to 
        occur in three isolated populations within the park.  The 
        Shenandoah salamander typically goes into hibernation in the 
        winter following the first freeze, which had already occurred. 
        There are two areas of salamander habitat within the burn.  
        The larger area of the two was largely left unburned. The 
        smaller area was burned through but only accumulations of 
        leaves and other fine fuels were impacted.  The fire had no 
        effect on the salamander. Fisheries within the park will have 
        a short-term benefit as a result of the fire.  Some trees that 
        had to be cut for the fire line were dropped into or across 
        streams.  They will provide habitat for fish and aquatic 
        macroinvertebrates.

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

Reports pending.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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