NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, December 26, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1738, Thomas Nelson, Jr., was born at Yorktown, 
Virginia.  He became a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a 
governor of Virginia, and commander of the Virginia militia at the 
siege of Yorktown in 1781.  His home, which bears artillery scars from 
the siege, is part of Colonial National Historical Park.

INCIDENTS

00-765 - Indiana Dunes NL (IN) - Rape; Assault

Rangers were summoned to a hospital in Gary to take a rape report on 
November 18th. Two men had sexually assaulted a woman, struck her with 
a wooden, bat-like weapon, and taken $300 from her. A third man was 
present and drove the car used by the trio, but did not participate in 
the assault. Initial information on the site of the incident was 
sketchy, but later was pinned down to a former residence in the park. 
An FBI agent and the park's special agent are investigating; an 
assistant U.S. attorney has also been assigned to the case. [Richard 
Littlefield, CR, INDU, 12/21]

00-766 - Redwood N&SP (CA) - Weapons Violations

On September 22nd, ranger Paige Ritterbusch investigated a report of a 
shot fired in the Bald Hills. On her way there, she asked a number of 
drivers if they'd seen any suspicious vehicles or heard any gunshots; 
none had. Just below the Schoolhouse Peak lookout, she asked the same 
question of the occupants of a pickup - and saw that there was a rifle 
sitting upright between the driver - B.W., 47, of Klamath - and 
his passenger. The rifle hadn't been rendered inoperable, as is 
required in a park, and bullets were immediately available. State 
ranger Richard French joined Ritterbusch. The rangers subsequently 
found a .22 rifle behind the seat, a third rifle in the rear tool box 
(which belonged to the passenger), and a deer that had been taken 
legally well outside of the parks. B.W. was cited for weapons 
violation and released. A follow-up investigation led to the discovery 
that B.W. has two prior felony convictions for marijuana 
cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.  The U.S. attorney's 
office and ATF were notified and a joint investigation ensued. Arrest 
and search warrants were obtained and executed on November 30th at 
B.W.'s residence. B.W. was arrested and indicted for being a 
felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Investigation and 
court proceedings are ongoing. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 12/21]

                    [Additional reports pending....]

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

Section 106 Regulations - On December 12th, the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation published in the Federal Register new 
regulations governing how federal agencies take historic properties 
into account under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act. This new rule will go into effect on January 11th.  Existing 
regulations, dating from June 17, 1999, will remain in force until 
then. The new regulations incorporate important changes in response to 
public comments, but also maintain the core elements of the Section 
106 process. The full text of the revised regulations and their 
preamble can be found in the Federal Register at 65 F.R. 77698-77739. 
The text of the revised regulations is also available on the council's 
web site (www.achp.gov) along with a brief summary of the changes 
these the new regulations will bring about. The council is reviewing 
the Section 106 guidance materials on the web site to make sure that 
those materials will be current by the effective date of the revised 
regulations. On a related note: The council has released a new 
publication - "Protecting Historic Properties: A Citizen's Guide to 
Section 106 Review."  Geared to the general public, this illustrated 
brochure provides a simple, easy-to-understand introduction to Section 
106. The emphasis is on making the public more aware of the 
opportunities that Section 106 provides for them to influence the 
outcome of federal projects that might harm historic properties. In 
the near future, the text of the document will be available on the 
council's web site. [Laura Feller, NRHE, WASO; Elizabeth Oster, State 
Historic Preservation Office, New Mexico]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Pinnacles NM (CA) - The park has announced an opportunity for a 
lateral reassignment for a GS-9 protection ranger. The position is 
covered by 6c. Major duties include resource protection, wildland 
firefighting, search and rescue and resource education. Bilingual 
ability is desired but not required. Climbing and technical rescue 
abilities are essential. Trail patrols are frequent and overnight 
wilderness patrols occur periodically. Required occupancy (two bedroom 
mobile home). If you're interested or have further questions, contact 
West District DR Gerry Reynolds (831-389-4485 x 258) by January 12th. 
[Leticia Ruiz, PINN]

Golden Gate NRA (CA) - The park is currently advertising for a 
GS-401-11/12 fire management officer (both merit promotion and all 
sources). The announcement closes on January 26th. The FMO is 
responsible for the park's fire management program. Housing is not 
available. For additional information, contact the Fire Management 
Office at 415-331-6374 or the chief ranger at 415-561-4745. [Yvette 
Ruan, CR, GOGA]

                             *  *  *  *  *

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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