NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Monday, March 6, 2006

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INCIDENTS

Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs

Major Marijuana Plantation Cleanup Operation Completed

On March 1st, park law enforcement and natural resource staff completed a month-long project to restore natural conditions to 166 acres of wilderness areas damaged by marijuana farming. In a cooperative effort with the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the California Army National Guard, and the California Air National Guard, crews removed 4,650 pounds (157 bags) of garbage and hose, camp infrastructure, and 5.3 miles of irrigation hose from thirty-one gardens and seven camps that were occupied by illegal growers in 2002. Park staff also documented that 5,176 pounds of fertilizer, three gallons of pesticides (predominantly malathion), and ten pounds of rodenticides had been used in one five-acre area. More than 300 small Coleman propane canisters and one five gallon propane tank were removed from the site, and crews cleaned up and filled in six garbage pits. Illegal marijuana cultivation in Sequoia National Park has increased dramatically since 2001. The NPS has eradicated more than 113,000 marijuana plants at that site since 2001. While a tremendous amount of work was accomplished in this project, much remains to be done. It is estimated that slightly more than half of the known gardens have been restored. Restoration work is limited to a November to February window due to the presence of armed growers during the March to October growing season, as well the hazards created by extreme summer heat, rattlesnakes, and dry, slippery slopes. The greatest accomplishment was to complete this project with zero injuries, despite very difficult terrain, hazardous pesticides, inclement weather, and inexperienced crew members. The project was managed by restoration ecologist Athena Demetry and the parks' special agent. [Alexandra Picavet, Public Affairs Specialist]

Big Cypress NP

Seasonal Ranger Bitten by Venomous Snake

A seasonal interpretive ranger was gathering wood for an evening campfire program at the Oasis Visitor Center on the afternoon of February 24th when he was bitten by a snake later identified as a venomous pygmy rattler (Sistrurus darbouri). He was bitten on his hand and had to forcibly remove the snake. A ranger/EMT treated the injury and he was medevaced to a hospital for further treatment. He is currently recovering from his injury. [Ed Clark, Chief Ranger]

Grand Teton NP

Injured Climber Rescued from Garnet Canyon

Rangers evacuated an injured climber from the south fork of Garnet Canyon by helicopter on the morning of Friday, March 3rd. The 23-year-old Jackson resident had sustained a hip injury the previous afternoon when he slid on snow for about 500 feet and hit some rocks. The accident occurred at about 10,500 feet while he and two climbing companions were making a ski descent in the lower part of Southwest Couloir near the saddle between Middle Teton and South Teton. One on the injured man's companions made a 911 call by cell phone to the sheriff's office, which relayed the report to dispatch. Rangers immediately organized a rescue operation and quickly flew two rangers before darkness into the Meadows area of Garnet Canyon, using a Teton County contract helicopter. From the Meadows, the two rangers skied up the south fork of Garnet Canyon to reach the victim near the bottom of the Southwest Couloir, assess his injuries, and provide emergency medical care. They also prepared him for spending the night in the backcountry until he could be evacuated by helicopter on Friday morning. In the meantime, three additional rangers were ferried to the Taggart Lake moraine by snowmobiles with additional emergency and camping equipment required for an overnight bivouac. From the 7,000-foot-elevation moraine, rangers skied into the south fork of Garnet Canyon, gaining 3,000 feet in elevation and a distance of four miles while carrying packs loaded with the emergency gear. They reached the climbing party at 2:00 a.m. At first light on Friday morning, rangers began to slowly lower the injured man using a rope system. They eventually reached an area in the south fork of Garnet Canyon at 8,800 feet in elevation

where the helicopter could safely land for evacuation. The man was placed inside the helicopter, flown to a hanger at the Jackson Hole Airport, then transferred into a park ambulance and transported to St. John's Medical Center in Jackson for treatment of his injuries. This marks the sixth major search and rescue operation in the park this winter. [Jackie Skaggs, Public Affairs Specialist]

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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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