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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office Day/Date: Friday, January 25, 2002 INCIDENTS 02-018 — Crater Lake NP (OR) — Search for Overdue Skiers; Avalanche Accidents On January 21st, the park began a search for two skiers overdue from a ski trip around the rim of Crater Lake. K.G., 21, and D.S., 24, both from Portland, began the 33-mile ski trip on January 17th and planned to finish on January 19th. During the initial search on the afternoon of January 21st, ranger Randy Benham and volunteer ski patrol member Bill Bloom were skiing along the East Rim Drive ski trail about three miles east of park headquarters. They had met and were skiing with two visitors, R.W., 32, and K.F., 28, both from Klamath Falls. All four were caught in an avalanche that released on a steep slope approximately 100 feet above them. Benham and R.W. ended up on the surface, but Bloom and K.F. were completely buried. Benham and R.W. immediately began a search for the other two skiers. Seeing a ski pole tip protruding from the snow, they located and dug out K.F., who was buried head down in six feet of debris for about ten minutes. The three then resumed the search for Bloom, and located him using avalanche beacons and probes. They were able to dig Bloom out from six feet of debris after about 40 minutes, just as he was about to lose consciousness. Benham, R.W. and K.F. were uninjured, but Bloom was suffering from mild hypothermia. After rewarming, the four were able to ski out with assistance from other rescue personnel. Bloom was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he stayed overnight for treatment of slight pulmonary edema. The search for D.S. and K.G. was complicated by low clouds and fog, approximately 40 inches of new snow, and by areas of high avalanche potential that prevented searchers from reaching the majority of the search area. At about 5:00 p.m. on January 23rd, searchers located the two skiers, both uninjured, near Vidae Falls, about three-and-a-half miles east of park headquarters. They told rangers that their progress had been slowed by the amount of new snowfall, and that they had both been caught in an avalanche on January 20th, but were buried only waist-deep and were able to extricate themselves with a shovel. The pair were found just one day before a major winter storm was forecast to hit the park, with up to four feet of snow and strong winds predicted. Ranger Pete Reinhardt was IC; employees from Mount Rainier and Lassen Volcanic assisted in the search, as did personnel from the Umpqua National Forest and local sno-cat operators. Two critical incident peer counselors are currently in the park to support the involved employees and other park staff. [David Brennan, CR, CRLA, 1/24] OPERATIONAL NOTES Clarification — The "Operational Notes" entry on the advanced notice of a proposed rulemaking regarding pet management at Golden Gate NRA that appeared in the January 22nd Morning Report was entitled "Pet Management Rulemaking." This was a misleading title, as the park is actually engaged in a proposed rulemaking process. Here's the text of the original entry on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding pet management at the park, which appeared in the Federal Register on January 11th: The notice seeks comment on the range of potential management options for addressing appropriate pet management within the park, consistent with protecting national park resources and assuring visitor safety. Comments may be submitted in writing and/or via fax and must be received by March 12th. The complete notice is available at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg (search for National Park Service). Once internet access is restored to Parknet, the material will be posted at the park's web site (http://www.nps.gov/goga). If you'd like background materials provided to your park or visitor center, please contact Chris Powell at 415-561-4728. [Mary Gibson Scott, GOGA]PARKS AND PEOPLE Gulf Islands NS (MS/FL) — The park is currently advertising a number of positions: • GS-189-3/4 seasonal recreation assistant (lifeguard) — A total of twelve positions between mid-March and mid-May. GUIS S02-03 and S02-04, closing on June 4th.• GS-2151-7 permanent dispatcher — CTAP only, prior experience in primary LE positions and NPS commission required. GUIS PO2-05, closing February 4th.• GS-025-5 seasonal ranger — Florida District. GUIS 02-01, closes February 15th.• GS-025-7 seasonal ranger — Florida District. GUIS 02-02, closes February 15th. • GS-025-7/9 permanent protection ranger — Florida District, multiple positions may be filled, open to permanent DOI employees and CTAP only. GUIS PO2-06, closes February 11th.• GS-025-7/9 permanent protection ranger — Mississippi District, open to permanent DOI employees and CTAP only. GUIS PO2-07, closes February 11th.All of the announcements can be viewed or downloaded from USA Jobs or can be obtained from the park by calling 850-934-2601. [Kitty Lewis, GUIS] UPCOMING IN CONGRESS The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming weeks on matters pertaining to the National Park Service or kindred agencies. For inquiries regarding legislation pertaining to the NPS, please contact the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at 202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate legislative specialist. For additional information on specific bills (full text, status, etc.), please check Congress's web site at http://thomas.loc.gov/.LEGISLATION INTRODUCED The following bills either directly or indirectly pertaining to the NPS have been introduced since the last Morning Report listing of new legislation (December 20th): No new bills. HEARINGS/MARK-UPS Saturday, January 26 House Small Business Committee (Manzullo): Field hearing on snowmobile access limitations in Yellowstone NP and impacts on small businesses. Testifying will be Director Mainella. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone. Thursday, February 7 House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands (Radanovich): Hearing on: • H.R. 2628 (Cramer, AL), a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama.• H.R. 2643 (Wu, OR), a bill to authorize the acquisition of additional lands for inclusion in the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes.• H. Res. 261, a resolutions stating that the aquia sandstone quarries on Government Island, Virginia, have historical significance.The witness is to be announced. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in 1334 Longworth. Thursday, February 14 House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands (Radanovich): Hearing on: • H.R. 1712 (Faleomavaega, AS), a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make minor adjustments to the boundary of the National Park of American Samoa to include certain portions of the islands of Ofu and Olosega within the park, and for other purposes.The witness is to be announced. The hearing will be at 2 p.m. in 1334 Longworth. FLOOR ACTION The House was scheduled to take up H.R. 2234 on January 23rd. The bill revises the boundary of Tumacacori NHP by adding two separate parcels totaling 310 acres adjacent to the original unit of the park. The Department supports the bill. NEW LAWS The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law by the President: No new laws. * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |