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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT BLACKBERRY EDITION Friday, February 24, 2006 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Everglades NP Successful Migratory Bird Treaty Act Investigation In 2004, rangers in the East Everglades Subdistrict began an investigation and developed intelligence which lead to the uncovering of a large scale market of persons and businesses involved in the trapping and sale of protected migratory bird species. The investigation began when rangers monitoring websites on the internet discovered that bird traps were being placed in the park. The traps were found to contain painted buntings and indigo buntings. Rangers and state officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission subsequently conducted surveillance operations and followed the people who retrieved the traps and birds to a residence in a North Miami area called Hialeah. Once at this residence, they stopped, detained, interrogated, seized evidence from and cited several people for Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) violations. Further information was gained by state and federal USFWS agents who continued the investigation and uncovered a large marketing site in Hialeah. Additional observations by field biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey conducting research in South Florida revealed that many of the protected migratory birds were being sold illegally in pet stores and informal flea markets around Miami. Six defendants, all residents of the Miami-Hialeah area, unlawfully sold and offered for sale indigo and painted buntings (Passerina cyanea and Passerina ciris), blue grosbeaks (Guiraca caerulea), and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinals) during the period from October 24, 2004 through July 11, 2005 in violation of 16 USC 703 and 707. The defendants conducted regular sales almost every Sunday, for many months in the parking lot of a business in Hialeah. Undercover officers made direct purchases of birds from the various defendants over the course of the investigation. The informal bird market, often attended by 50 to 100 people, relocated to a local municipal park area during the undercover investigation. Over the course of the operation, officers were illegally sold over 250 protected migratory birds and were offered in excess of 3,500 birds by the illegal dealers. The investigation also led to charges and convictions against three pet store operators for possessing the same protected species in their stores. Under federal law, the Secretary of the Department of Interior maintains a list of highly migratory birds that are protected from, among other things, capture, barter, sale, or transport. The purpose of the federal law, which is almost 90 years old, is to protect species of birds which, because of their migratory behavior, may be subjected to such severe hunting and other “take” activity over their range that the species may suffer extirpation or extinction. Research conducted over a 30 year period has shown that populations of at least one of the protected species involved in these cases - the painted bunting (Passerina ciris) - have declined over 50% throughout their migratory range. Further information regarding these species, including photographs and research information, may be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html" http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html. A copy of all press releases may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at HYPERLINK "http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls" www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. [David Pharo, Supervisory Park Ranger] Glacier Bay NP&P Assist with Structural Fire On February 21st, park staff responded to a mutual aid fire call in the town of Gustavus. A single story residential structure was reported to be on fire by a passerby who called in on the local 911 line. The park's structural fire brigade and other park staff responded along with the local volunteer fire department. By the time responding units began arriving on scene, the structure was fully engulfed and could not be saved. Neither the owner of the house nor any other people were present when the fire started. The fire, which had begun burning into a stand of nearby trees, was limited to the structure. Two vehicles and a boat on a trailer parked in an attached carport were also destroyed. The cause of the fire, which is under the jurisdiction of the state fire marshal, has not been determined. Ten park staff served in various positions on the fire - as the operations section chief, as firefighters, and as support staff assisting with maintaining water supplies, logistics and dispatch. Park staff are integral to the community's emergency response resources and are routinely called in to respond to incidents of this type under an existing memorandum of understanding. [Chuck Young, Chief Ranger] OPERATIONAL NOTES Director's Office Management Policy Comment Period Extended Due to a brief power outage that occurred last weekend on the park planning website, Director Mainella has extended the comment period on Management Policies until 11:59 p.m. MST on Saturday, February 25th. [Lisa Harrison, Special Assistant to the Director, and Director of Communications] TRAINING NOTE: Insofar as is possible, new training submissions will now be run as separate, discrete entries when they are received, then will be briefly summarized and posted in this weekly training calendar, which comes out on Fridays. This will provide readers with two opportunities to catch new training postings. Please submit information to HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face. ********************************************************************************************************** March 3 - March 5 EMT-B Refresher, Statue of Liberty NM, Ellis Island, New York City, NY. No tuition. Travel, lodging and per diem paid by benefiting account. For more information, contact Eugene Kuziw, 212-363-3200 ext. 208. March 14 - March 17 REVISED: Boundary Management, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD. Upon conclusion of the course, participants will be able to research boundaries, plot a deed, then identify, find and mark a boundary. Part of the session will be spent in the county courthouse, learning to use courthouse records and perform deed searches. There will be three sessions in the field, performing boundary identification and maintenance. This is a one-of-a-kind class in learning how to manage your boundary from A - Z. The class will be co-taught by NPS and BLM and will include a field boundary handbook. It is very unlikely that this class will be presented again, so register now before the class fills up. Funded by benefiting accounts. Rustic accommodations are available free on site. For more information, contact Mike Barnhart at 301-416-0012. March 20 - March 24 First Responder Training, Cape Hatteras NS, Buxton, NC. The course will be taught in accordance with the national standard curriculum and meets all First Responder requirements of NHTSA and the National Registry. CPR is a pre-requisite. Students will be given the chance to acquire current CPR certification on the first day of class, if needed. For more information, contact Gary Henson via email or at 252-995-5044. April 3 - April 7 Wireless Telecommunications Systems, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. This is a multi-agency course taught in conjunction with industry representatives. The course provides information about the construction, operation, and management of wireless telecommunication systems. Participants will learn to distinguish among different wireless technologies and services. The course number is BLM-2000-21. There is no tuition for NPS participants. Contact Lee Dickinson at 202-513-7092 for more information. April 17 - April 21 Archeological Resources Protection Training Program (XP-ARPTP-602), Custer, SD. Training in all aspects of archeological investigation and subsequent prosecution of crimes. Taught by instructors who are nationally-recognized subject-matter experts in the fields of law enforcement, archeology and law. Questions should be directed to senior instructor Charles Louke (912-280-5188, charles.louke@dhs.gov); for NPS course registration information, contact Wiley Golden (912-267-2246, Wiley_Golden@nps.gov). Closing date for applications is March 17th. April 18 - April 21 Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, Omaha, NE. Midwest Region is sponsoring a competency-based training course on special park uses. Topics include authorities for special park uses, the permitting process, compliance issues, special events, filming, use of parks for First Amendment activities, rights-of-way for public utilities, telecommunications, commercial use authorizations and leasing, and cost recovery. For more information, contact Floy Westermeier at 402-661-1652 or Lee Dickinson at 202-513-7092. April 19 - April 21 Basic EMT Refresher, ALS Refresher, Zion NP. The park will be hosting a 24-hour EMT refresher from April 19th to the 21st and an ALS refresher on April 18th. No fee/tuition. For more info, contact Cody Cole at 435-772-7826 or via email at HYPERLINK "mailto:Cody_Cole@nps.gov" Cody_Cole@nps.gov. April 30 - May 6 Advanced Resource Protecting Training, San Luis Obispo, CA. This 50-hour course beings at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 30th, and ends at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 6th. The course includes classroom, outdoor and evening sessions. For more information, contact Wiley Golden (912-267-2246, HYPERLINK "mailto:Wiley_Golden@nps.gov" Wiley_Golden@nps.gov). Closes on March 20th. May 1 - May 4 Alaska Regional Wilderness Stewardship training, Girdwood, AK. Sponsored by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The course objectives are to familiarize participants with the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the stewardship responsibilities common to all wilderness managers, explore key management issues common to wildernesses in Alaska, and demonstrate commitment to excellent wilderness stewardship and sound decision-making. No tuition; participants will pay their own travel, meals and lodging. For more information, contact Tim Devine at 406-243-4612 or via email. Closes on March 6th. May 1 - May 5 Eastern High Angle Rescue Course, Big South Fork NRRA, TN. This course is designed to instruct rangers and response personnel who are tasked with the extrication of victims in a high angle environment. All participants need to be in good physical condition and are expected to spend periods of time on fixed lines with high exposure. The course will begin with basic knots and anchors and will progress to rigging rescue load anchor systems and finally to patient packaging in a litter, attending a litter on a cliff face, and raising and lowering rescue loads. Participants need to supply their own harnesses, helmets, gloves, and personal locking carabiners. Travel and per diem will be benefiting account. Participants will be staying at a park campground in order to reduce costs and make night operations and exercises more accessible. For more information, contact any of the following via email or at the indicated phone numbers - Rob Turan at 706-866-6627, Randy Scoggins at 423-569-2404 ext. 260, or Kevin Moses at 423-569-2404 ext. 267. May 1 - May 5 Preservation and Treatment of Park Cultural Resources - Module #2, March-Billings NHP, Woodstock, VT. Module #2 is part of a two module competency-based curriculum designed specifically for facility managers and chiefs of maintenance. The curriculum focuses on the foundation knowledge and skills crucial for facility managers/chiefs of maintenance as frontline stewards to provide essential direction and oversight relating to the preservation, treatment, and maintenance of park cultural resources. This module provides the knowledge and skills to improve performance in providing essential direction and oversight relating to the management and maintenance of park cultural resources with specific emphasis on historic structures, cultural landscapes, and archeological resources. Contact Kevin Turner at Albright Training Center (928-638-7988) for more information. June 21 - June 23 Housing Training and Workshop, Anchorage, AK. The course will provide employees responsible for employee housing a better understanding and working knowledge of the housing program. Specific topics will include roles and responsibilities, WASO updates, QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, needs assessments, condition assessments (FMSS/FCAS), GPRA, housing management plans, PMIS projects, DAB, budget tracking and conflict resolution. Closes on May 17th. For more information, contact Hala Bates via email or at 303-969-2742. August 9 - August 10 Interviewing and Interrogation, Federal Mine Safety and Health Academy, Beaver, WV. It is the goal of this course to familiarize both new and seasoned investigators with the various disciplines of "detecting deception." This is accomplished though learning to recognize non-verbal body language, eye-assessing cues (neuro-linguistics), and by being introduced to the newest form of conducting a detailed analysis of verbal and written statements. This unique course offers investigators insight as to what a person is actually saying, and, most importantly, what they are not saying. No tuition. Nearby lodging is available at government rates. Anyone interested in this training should contact Chuck Noll at HYPERLINK "mailto:chuck_noll@nps.gov" chuck_noll@nps.gov or call him at 304-763-3145 x16 for more information. EVENTS NOTE: Insofar as is possible, submissions on upcoming events will now be run as separate, discrete entries when they are received, then will be briefly summarized and posted in this weekly events calendar, which comes out on Fridays. This will provide readers with two opportunities to catch new event postings. Please submit information to HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face. ********************************************************************************************************** April 27 - April 30 “Preserving the Historic Road,” conference, Omni Parker House Hotel, Boston, MA. This biannual, national conference will attract engineers and designers, preservationists and grassroots advocates and will showcase the historic roads and parkways of greater Boston and Massachusetts. A downloadable conference registration brochure is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.historicroads.org/sub7_1.htm" http://www.historicroads.org/sub7_1.htm (look under “Register now”). Space is limited, so register early. More information on historic road issues can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.historicroads.org" www.historicroads.org. October 13 - October 16 Alumni Reunion, Mesa Verde NP, Colorado. One of the events commemorating Mesa Verde National Park's centennial this year will be an alumni reunion. The reunion will include a welcome social on the first day, followed by field trips, sessions on the park's past and future, talks, and evening gatherings with music and food. All past employees are invited. If you know of past employees who don't have access to InsideNPS, please pass the word to them. For further information, contact Beverly Cunningham ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/mailtBev_Cunningham@nps.gov" Bev_Cunningham@nps.gov, 970-529-4610), Linda Martin ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/mailtLinda_Martin@nps.gov" Linda_Martin@nps.gov, 970-529-4632), Sue Johnson-Erner ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/mailtSue_Johnson-Erner@nps.gov" Sue_Johnson-Erner@nps.gov, 970-529-4612) or Don Ross ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/mailtdkjlross@fone.net" dkjlross@fone.net, 970-560-9984 or 1-888-882-2840). To register for the reunion, go to HYPERLINK "mailto:meve_alumni@mesaverde2006.org" meve_alumni@mesaverde2006.org.
* * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |