NPS Morning Report - Monday, November 19, 2001



                        NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, November 19, 2001

INCIDENTS

01-060 - DeSoto NM (FL) - Follow-up: Arson

On March 2nd, A.("B.")C., 20, of Brandenton, Florida, was 
arrested and charged with second degree arson in connection with the 
February 20th burning of Camp Ucita, the setting for the park's 
popular living history programs. Last month, A.C. pled no contest 
to the charge. On November 8th, he was sentenced in federal court to 
45 months in jail, plus five years' probation and restitution to the 
park for costs connected with the incident. A male juvenile earlier 
pled guilty to being an accessory after the fact and has also been 
sentenced. NPS special agent Steven Borders was the lead investigator 
in the case, with assistance from Big Cypress NP ranger Dane Tantay. 
The investigation was conducted in partnership with several federal, 
state and local agencies. Camp Ucita has been re-built and will be 
ready for the upcoming winter season after a re-opening ceremony set 
for December 14th. [Paul Carson, DESO, 11/15]

01-607 - Gateway NRA (NY/NJ) - Kidnapping Suspect Found

A fisherman at Sandy Hook contacted rangers via cell phone early on 
the morning of Sunday, November 1st, and reported that he'd found a 
man lying unconscious in the Horseshoe Cove parking lot. Rangers Debra 
Perry and Sara Wiemer responded. The man, subsequently identified as 
B.S., 37, of Neptune City, New Jersey, was taken to a local 
hospital. The next day, B.S. gave a note to his sister that 
implicated him in the recently kidnapping of six-year-old A.C.
of Spring Lake, New Jersey. His sister turned the note over 
to the police. FBI and local authorities had been investigating the 
case since November 8th, when A.C. was abducted from the yard outside 
her home. A $175,000 ransom note was sent which said that the abductor 
would not hesitate to kill the girl if the demand was not met. The 
ransom was not paid, and the next day A.C. was released unharmed at a 
local shopping mall. B.S. was apparently trying to commit suicide 
when he was found at Sandy Hook. On November 15th, bail was set by the 
superior court at $1.35 million on charges of kidnapping, child 
endangerment and making terroristic threats.  [Tom Lobkowicz, SA, 
Sandy Hook Unit, GATE, 11/16]

01-608 - Northeast Region - ARPA/NAGPRA/Lacey Act Convictions

The National Park Service has successfully concluded a 30-month-long 
covert investigation (Operation Skullmasters) into the selling of 
endangered species parts and Native American remains in the Richmond 
area. C.S., Jr. and C.S., III, trading as Great 
Southern Arsenal, a Virginia corporation, were convicted in federal 
court on various violations stemming from the illegal sale of 
endangered, threatened and native species of wildlife and from the 
sale of Native American remains. The NPS became involved in the case 
because the two men were trying to sell human remains that were 
thought to be from Everglades NP (they turned out to be from the 
Southwest or northern Mexico). During the investigation, NPS special 
agents purchased Native American human remains from the men, and USFWS 
and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries agents purchased 
or seized endangered, threatened and native species of wildlife, 
including a white rhinoceros head, a black leopard, grizzly bears and 
parts, bobcats, gray wolves, black bears, white-tail deer, and 
migratory bird mounts. The value of the wildlife was placed in excess 
of $80,000. C.S., Jr., 69, was sentenced to 24 months in 
jail, fined $10,000 (to be paid into a Lacey Act reward account), 
ordered to pay $7,500 to the NPS to repatriate the Native American 
remains, and ordered to forfeit two vehicles - a 2000 Ford Excursion 
valued at $40,000 and a 1997 Chevy Suburban valued at $26,000. 
C.S., III, 40, was sentenced to year's probation and  fined 
$3,000 (to be paid into the Lacey Act reward account). C.S. 
Limited, trading as Great Southern Arsenal, was sentenced to two 
years' supervised probation, fined $15,000 (paid to the Lacey Act 
account), ordered to pay $7,500 to the NPS to repatriate the Native 
American remains, and ordered to pay $1,325 in special assessments and 
forfeit the two above noted vehicles. The NPS extends its thanks to he 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Virginia Department of Game and 
Inland Fisheries, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern 
District of Virginia, the Department of Justice Environmental 
Division's wildlife section, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
Firearms, the Henrico County Police Department, and the Internal 
Revenue Service for their assistance and cooperation in this 
successful investigation. [Clark Guy, SAC, NERO, 11/15]

01-609 - Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Rescue

On November 10th, ranger Jennifer Durney checked out a report of a 
lost dog wandering in the Baker Beach area. Durney scaled two 20-foot 
cliffs and worked her way along a rocky coastline, eventually finding 
the dog and its male owner in two "pocket cove" beaches north of Baker 
Beach. The man, who was very muscular and fit, was moving through 
various martial arts offensive positions; these actions, combined with 
other verbal and physical indicators, led Durney to believe that he 
was high on angel dust (PCP). Rangers Matt Ehmann, Steve Prokop, Bob 
Airey-Van Diem, Eric Beckert, and Park Police officer William Bottomly 
responded as back-up. Due to an incoming tide, with six-foot surf 
smashing against a vertical sea cliff inside the coves, lifeguards 
Sean Scallon and Scott Palmer also responded. The man alternated 
between attempting to run up steep cliffs and assuming threatening, 
aggressive postures when approached by the rangers and officer. Since 
the incoming tide was threatening to trap everyone inside the cove and 
since all efforts to reason with him failed, the rangers employed 
pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. Because of his condition, it 
took several applications of the spray to overcome him. He was taken 
over the cliffs and through chest high surf back to Baker Beach, where 
he was checked by Presidio FD paramedics, then taken to San Francisco 
General Hospital and admitted to a psychiatric hold unit for 
observation and treatment. [Richard Danielsen, Operations Supervisor, 
GOGA, 11/16[

01-610 - Pictured Rocks NL (MI) - MVA with Multiple Injuries

Several people were injured in a single vehicle accident on Miner's 
Castle Road just north of the Miner's Beach turnoff on the afternoon 
of Saturday, October 27th. A 21-year-old man from Munising failed to 
negotiate a curve on wet pavement, went off the road, and hit a tree. 
The driver and both passengers - two 20-year-old women - were 
extricated from the vehicle and taken to Munising Memorial Hospital. 
The driver was treated for a dislocated hip and released; the two 
passengers were still in serious condition at the time of the report, 
one with head injuries and the other with a fractured pelvis and a 
damaged spleen. Michigan State Police are investigating. [Larry Hach, 
CR, PIRO, 10/29]

HOMELAND SECURITY

As of Friday afternoon, the Main Interior Building (MIB) was still not 
receiving first class and priority mail from the Postal Service, and 
there are no indications at present as to when that service will 
resume. MIB has just begun receiving other mail from USPS, including 
packages and magazines. Those items are being stored until a decision 
can be made on how to handle them. DOI is not alone in this respect - 
other federal agencies in the Washington area are not yet receiving 
priority or first class mail, nor is Congress. Field areas should use 
alternative mail delivery services when sending items to WASO to avoid 
possible damage from the radiation being used to sanitize the mail. 
[Dick Powell, Chief, Risk Management Program, WASO]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 2

Initial attack was moderate in the South and East on Saturday and 
light elsewhere. Nine fires within those two areas were contained. 
Among the larger fires still burning: 

o       Eastern District Complex (KY) - A complex of 34 fires in six 
        counties under a Type 2 team. The fires have burned 27,000 
        acres and are 75% contained. 

o       District 2 Ridgecrest (KY) - Just under a thousand acres. Type 
        1 team assigned.

o       Kentucky River Complex (KY) - Two of the largest fires have 
        been contained. A total of 36,258 acres have burned. A Type 2 
        team is assigned. 

o       Redbird Falls Fires - A Type 1 team has been assigned; 15,738 
        acres have burned. 

Very high to extreme indices were reported in West Virginia, New 
Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

Park Fire Situation

Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - The Sharp fire has burned 3,713 
acres and is 20% contained. The south line is holding. Preparations 
for burnout operations were underway at the time of the report. A burn 
ban has been issued for the park.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 11/18; NPS Situation 
Summary Report, 11/16]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

FLERT Update - The firefighter law enforcement retirement team (FLERT) 
has moved to a new location and has a new address: Department of the 
Interior, Office of the Secretary, Firefighter and Law Enforcement 
Retirement Team, 300 E. Mallard Drive, Suite 170, Boise, ID 
83706-6648. The fax there is 208-334-1558. Over the past few weeks, 
the team has packed about 900 boxes with FF/LE retirement files, so it 
will likely take several weeks to unpack them. FLERT team members and 
their duties and phone numbers are as follows:

o       Marcia Scifres, team leader, 208-334-1549

o       Toni Orth, paralegal assistant, 208-334-1551 (number for 
        general inquiries/claim status)

o       Karen Sexsmith, clerical assistant, 208-334-1556

o       Marvette Benscoter 208-334-1555 (all DOI PD's)

o       Donna Burch, 208-334-1550 (primary contact for BLM, OIG, BOR, 
        IG, others)

o       Michael Gillmore, 208-334-1552 (primary contact for FWS)

o       Marilee Pospahala, 208-334-1553 (primary contact for NPS)

o       Matt Wagers, 208-334-1554 (primary contact for BIA)

To contact a team member by email, use their first name, underscore, 
last name and @ios.doi.gov, i.e. Marilee_Pospahala@ios.doi.gov. 
[Marilee Pospahala, FLERT]

DOI Law Enforcement Organizational Changes - The Department of 
Interior has established a new Office of Law Enforcement and Security 
under a deputy assistant secretary for law enforcement and security. 
The changes have been made "to improve coordination and information 
flows of law enforcement and security program matters among DOI's 
bureaus and offices." The office will serve as the central point of 
contact for DOI law enforcement and security policy and programs; all 
LE and security functions and responsibilities currently assigned to 
the Office of Managing Risk and Public Safety have been reassigned to 
the new office. The acting director of this new office is Steven 
Calvary. Other members of the LE and security team are Gary Allen, 
Roger Phillips, Lori Wilson and Pam Rivera. [DOI memoranda, via Dennis 
Burnett, RAD/WASO]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Intermountain Regional Office (CO) - Long-time ranger and retired Zion 
NP superintendent Harry Grafe passed away on the morning of Friday, 
November 16th, following surgery. A funeral will be held at 10:30 
a.m., on Tuesday, November 20th at Messiah Lutheran Church, 840 No. 
11th in Grand Junction, Colorado. Callahan-Edfast Funeral Home 
(970-243-2450) is handling the funeral arrangements. Condolences may 
be sent to his wife, Marilyn, at 510 Tiara Drive, Grand Junction, 
Colorado 81503 (970-243-1584). The family has asked that memorials in 
Harry's name be made to the American Heart Association.  [Karen Wade, 
RD, IMRO]

Washington Office (DC) - The national fee program office in the Ranger 
Activities Division has several openings: GS-0343-11/12 recreation fee 
program analyst (WASO 01-106), GS-301-12/13 fee passport and 
reservation program coordinator (WASO 01-108), and GS-0340-12/13 
deputy fee program manager (WASO 01-107). For more information, 
contact fee program manager Jane Moore at 202-208-4205. [Jane Moore, 
Fee Program Manager, RAD/WASO]

Lassen Volcanic NP (CA) - The park has readvertised a vacant 
GS-401-11/12 FMO position. Lassen's fire program includes fire 
suppression, fire use (including Rx fire), aviation, and structural 
fire program management. Operations are integrated with the park's 
Division of Science and Natural Resources and with neighboring Lassen 
National Forest. The park's fire program is fully integrated into a 
regional interagency ordering, communications and dispatching system, 
and enjoys strong management support. This is a 6(c) covered position. 
The announcement number is PGSO-011-130-MPP. For more info, call chief 
ranger John Roth at 530-595-4444 ext 5150. [John Roth, CR, LAVO]

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TRAINING CALENDAR

This calendar appears every other Monday as an addendum to the Morning 
Report. Please note:

o       Entries are listed no sooner than FOUR months before a 
        training course begins, except in cases in which registration 
        dates close much earlier. 

o       Brevity in submissions is required and appreciated.

o       Please send along web sites for additional information where 
        possible.

o       Asterisks (*) indicate new entries; pound signs (#) indicate 
        revised entries.

**********************************************************************

Open Enrollment: FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. This 
intranet-based course is designed to provide administrative, budget 
and financial management personnel with entry, developmental and full 
performance competencies in financial management processes. Tuition: 
$100. Refer to the announcement for registration procedures.  Contact: 
The announcement is posted at: http://www.nps.gov/training/; for more 
information, call Jan Gauthier at 304-535-6402. [Joyce Howe, STMA]

Open Enrollment: SMARTPAY CHARGE CARD PROGRAM. Mandatory training via 
the internet is available for the SmartPay (Bank of America) charge 
card for travel and purchase activities. No tuition. Refer to the 
announcement for details. Contact: The announcement is posted at: 
http://www.nps.gov/training/; for more information, call Jan Gauthier 
at 304-535-6402. [Joyce Howe, STMA]

* Fiscal Year 2002: RISK MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Closes on 
December 4th.  The program provides up to $600 to each participant to 
apply toward the tuition for any entry, developmental or full 
performance level risk management training course. The training must 
directly apply to safety and occupational health issues and must 
assist the park safety program in meeting its goal of providing 
employees with the essential competencies to perform their duties. It 
is NOT to be used for mandatory or supervisory training or Servicewide 
training courses. Contact: Regional employee development officers or 
the Learning Place BB for applications; FLETC for further information 
(912-267-2246, WASO FLETC-NPS). (Wiley Golden, FLETC)

January 14 - May 14: BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PARK RANGERS 
[NPRI-202], FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on November 28th. Basic LE 
training developed for the NPS and specifically designed to meet the 
basic training needed by rangers to qualify for permanent NPS 
commissions. Contact: Regional employee development officers or the 
Learning Place BB for applications; FLETC for further information 
(912-267-2246, WASO FLETC-NPS). (Wiley Golden, FLETC)

January 15 - 17: CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (CONSTRUCTION 
AND DESIGN PROJECTS), Jean Lafitte NHP, LA. Closes November 26th. This 
training will satisfy the mandatory training requirement for COTR's;  
the eight-hour refresher will be included in the first day's session. 
Tuition is $250. Contact: Dale Wilkerson at 662-680-4009 or 
http://www.nps.gov/training.  [Joyce Howe, STMA]

* January 16 - 17: CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) 
EIGHT-HOUR REFRESHER. BLM will be delivering this training via 
satellite broadcast. Please see their website (www.ntc.blm.gov) for a 
complete course description. Refer to the training announcement for 
registration details. All Servicewide training announcements are 
posted at http://www.nps.gov/training. [Joyce Howe, STMA]

* January 28 - February 1: INTRODUCTION TO PARK PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, 
Anchorage, AK. Closes November 30th. This course is designed to 
provide employees from all disciplines with tools and processes for 
analyzing and accomplishing work, techniques for planning and 
organizing the work, management and accountability of funds, and 
evaluation of results. Contact:  http://www.nps.gov/training or Beth 
Lowthian at 907-224-2122.  [Joyce Howe, STMA]

February 4 - 8: INLAND SAR COORDINATION, Camp Atterbury, IN. Closes on 
November 19th. Comprehensive, graduate-level look at inland SAR theory 
and its application to planning land and air searches for missing 
persons and aircraft. Taught by USAF National SAR School. Contact: 
www.nps.gov/training or Peggy_Sandretzky@nps.gov. [Joyce Howe, STMA]

February 11 - 15: INTRODUCTION TO PARK PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, Carlsbad, 
NM. Closes January 11th. This course is designed to provide employees 
from all disciplines with tools and processes for analyzing and 
accomplishing work, techniques for planning and organizing the work, 
management and accountability of funds, and evaluation of results. 
Contact:  http://www.nps.gov/training or Bob Shannon at 505-785-2232 
ext 435.  [Joyce Howe, STMA]

February 25 - June 24: BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PARK RANGERS 
[NPRI-203], FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on January 8th. Basic LE 
training developed for the NPS and specifically designed to meet the 
basic training needed by rangers to qualify for permanent NPS 
commissions. Contact: Regional employee development officers or the 
Learning Place BB for applications; FLETC for further information 
(912-267-2246, WASO FLETC-NPS). (Wiley Golden, FLETC)

* February 26 - March 2: INLAND SAR COORDINATION, Bell 
Buckle/Shelbyville, TN. Closes on December 3rd. Comprehensive, 
graduate-level look at inland SAR theory and its application to 
planning land and air searches for missing persons and aircraft. 
Taught by USAF National SAR School. Contact: www.nps.gov/training or 
Peggy_Sandretzky@nps.gov. [Joyce Howe, STMA]

                            *  *  *  *  *

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the 
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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