NPS Morning Report - Friday, December 7, 2001

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT



To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date: Friday, December 7, 2001

*** NOTICE ***

President Bush has ordered that all flags be lowered to half staff today in
commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

INCIDENTS

01-633 - Everglades NP (FL) - HazMat Spill

Rangers investigated a hazmat spill in the Buttonwood Canal on the evening
of December 3rd, but were unable to locate the source before darkness fell.
The investigation continued the following morning. The source was eventually
found north of Flamingo Marina on Buttonwood Canal. The hazardous material
had created a film on the water surface over an area estimated to measure
100 by 400 feet. Most of the material had evaporated by December 4th, and
the remainder was pushed by a northerly wind into the marina. Rangers
employed absorbent pads and tubes to remove the substance. Absorbent pads
were used to clean an area on the northeast side of the plug that is
frequented by the American crocodile. Samples of the material have been
taken and an investigation is underway. Florida DEP and the Coast Guard were
consulted. [Craig Thatcher, DR, EVER, 12/6]

01-634 - Biscayne NP (FL) - Drowning

On the afternoon of December 2nd, ranger Randy Whitton learned that
Miami-Dade fire and rescue was responding to a possible drowning in Mowry
Canal, which empties into Biscayne Bay. Several ranger assisted Miami-Dade
in the subsequent search. Divers recovered the body of an illegal Mexican
immigrant after an hour's search. The man had decided to go for a swim and
panicked after getting half way across the channel. [Holly Rife, CR, BISC,
12/3]

01-635 - Biscayne NP (FL) - Illegal Immigrants

A park visitor reported five Cuban immigrants on a remote island key on
November 30th. Rangers and Coast Guard personnel picked them up and the
Coast Guard transported them to INS in Miami for processing. [Holly Rife,
CR, BISC, 12/3]

HOMELAND SECURITY

No reports.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Structural Fire Program Update - The regions are currently in the process of
staffing up to support the program. Joe Mazzeo and Don Boucher will fill the
slots in, respectively, Northeast and National Capitol Regions; Pacific West
and Intermountain Regions have certs out and were hoping to make selections
by late November; Alaska, Midwest and Southeast Regions hope to issue a
joint vacancy announcement for their structural fire positions in the near
future. The structural fire discussion data base is now up and running on
Lotus Notes and will be used to post items of general interest and recall or
safety notices. [Mike Warren, FMPC/Boise]

* * * * *

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

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