NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Friday, December 16, 2005

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INCIDENTS

Glacier Bay NP&P

Wolf Trapping Case Prosecuted

On June 2nd, a park biologist working in the preserve came upon a decomposing wolf carcass on an ATV trail with a snare around its neck. The snare was attached to a nearby tree and included an ID tag for a local trapper from Yakutat. Rangers were contacted and collected the snare and part of the carcass for the investigation. As part of a joint investigation with the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the evidence and photos were turned over to the state, which eventually charged the trapper with failure to salvage a furbearer, a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $10,000. After several delays and attempted plea agreements, the trapping case went to trial in December in Juneau on a reduced charge of trapping out of season. The defense contested the chain of custody, evidence, identification of the carcass as a wolf, and several other issues. With the testimony of the biologist, ranger and the AST officer, all of these legal challenges were addressed. The judge found the defendant guilty and fined him $100. This marks the first successful prosecution in Southeast Alaska of a trapping violation in a number of years. There have recently been a number of cases of wolves killed and not salvaged in and around the national preserve, and information from this case may lead to other prosecutions. The Alaska State Troopers and the DA's office made it a point to acknowledge NPS personnel for their work on this type of case, which has been difficult to prosecute in the past. [Chuck Young, Chief Ranger]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Visitor and Resource Protection

Special Agent Program Survey

As part of an overall evaluation of Visitor and Resource Protection in the Washington Office, many programs are being closely analyzed for overall efficiencies relating to field support.

JR Tomasovic, senior program manager at FLETC, has been tasked with conducting a thorough evaluation of the special agent program. The intent of this evaluation is to provide solid baseline information so that immediate and long-term decisions can be made relative to program efficiencies. The compilation of information so far includes an analysis of overall workloads, criminal activity, policy, geographic response capabilities, peripheral dynamics affecting investigative workloads, and development of several surveys for employees and managers within the special agent program.

Additionally, a customer service survey has been developed by the FLETC Research and Evaluation Division to solicit comments from field/regional employees. This survey is designed to capture the level of services provided by the agent program and will be randomly sent to various employees throughout the agency. The invitation will include a web link. Survey participants will be sent an email inviting them to complete the survey the web. In order for this review to be successful, we ask for your participation and candor. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and a prompt reply is requested as decisions need to made expeditiously. (Cam Sholly)

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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