NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, December 7, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1941, Japanese naval air forces launched a surprise 
attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 
precipitating America's entry into World War II.  The USS Arizona, one 
of 21 vessels sunk or damaged in the attack, suffered the greatest 
loss of life in American naval history, with 1,177 sailors and marines 
killed.  American casualties on Oahu are commemorated at the USS 
Arizona Memorial.

INCIDENTS

99-57/99-401 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Follow-up on Homicides

On December 6th, C.S., 39, was arraigned on state murder 
charges at the Mariposa County Courthouse. The charges are for the 
murders of C. and J.S. and S.P., which occurred in 
that county. Although C.S. has confessed to the killings, he plead 
not guilty, which "places the S.-P. allegations in contest, 
particularly in relation to potential penalty." Prosecutors won't 
decide on whether or not to seek the death penalty until a preliminary 
hearing on March 5th. The arraignment was covered by more than 15 TV 
crews and many other media representatives. [Scott Gediman, YOSE, 
12/6; Wayne Wilson, Sacramento Bee, 12/7]

00-733 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Climbing Fatality

On the afternoon of December 3rd, rangers responded to reports of 
climbers on Washington's Column yelling for help. At the base of the 
cliff they discovered the body of A.M., 28, of Morebank, 
Australia. He was attached to two joined ropes by a single ascender.  
It appears that A.M. placed his weight on one side of a double 
rope rappel system, which then pulled through the anchor and caused 
A.M. and the rope to fall several hundred feet to the ground. 
A.M.'s two climbing partners spent the night on the wall 600 feet 
above the Valley and rappelled off the following morning.  When they 
got down, they told investigators that A.M. had started to rappel 
down as they continued climbing. He yelled up to them that his rappel 
ropes had become stuck. It is likely that he was working to free the 
rope when the accident happened. A.M. and his climbing partners 
were part of a six-member Australian military alpine club that had 
come to Yosemite in duty status to climb. [Jim Tucker, DR, Valley 
District, YOSE, 12/5]

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

No fires reported.

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

Mount Rainier NP (OR) - Maintenance supervisor Mike Carney and trails 
leader Steve Scott received the Medal of Merit from the California Air 
National Guard in October for "meritorious service during the period 
of 4th May through 21st May 2000, while actively participating and 
supporting Operation Fallen Angel at Mt. Shasta, California." The two 
men were instrumental in "the assessment and aerial extraction of a 
downed UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter" that was "perched on a glacier at 
an altitude of 11,200 feet and resting on a 32 degree slope. Their 
outstanding support and high degree of technical skill contributed to 
the success of Operation Fallen Angel." The downed aircraft was 
involved in a search for two overdue hikers. All the air crew 
survived. The bodies of the climbers were found weeks later by ground 
crews. [Uwe Nehring, MORA]

United States Park Police (DC) - The Park Police and four other 
agencies received the William Spurgeon III Award for contributions to 
Exploring at the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference in July 
in Georgia this summer. Spurgeon's idea was to take professionals in 
career fields such as law enforcement and have them share their 
expertise with youth. The first Explorer post sponsored by a police 
department was chartered in 1961. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP]

FOOTNOTE

Correction: Your editor made a pretty embarrassing error in 
yesterday's Morning Report which requires immediate attention. The 
note on JNEM rangers receiving the "Law Enforcement Agency of the 
Year" award said that it had been presented by Mothers of Drunk 
Driving. That of course should be Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 
Apologies to both the park and to that estimable organization.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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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