NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

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INCIDENTS

Yosemite NP

Conviction for Illegal Aircraft Landing

On July 1, 2005, two visitors set up a camp a few hundred feet back from the edge of Mildred Lake, several miles south of the Tioga Pass road near Tenaya Lake. At about 7 p.m., a helicopter flew in low and slowly circled the lake, appearing to the visitors to be looking for anyone in the area. It landed and the pilot and a young boy got out and began fishing in the lake. The visitors were upset at this infringement of wilderness and went toward the helicopter and took photographs that identified the helicopter by its registration number. When the pilot saw them, he ran back to the helicopter and quickly took off. Several days later, the visitors reported the incident to rangers when they came out of the backcountry. An investigation was opened by special agents. They identified the pilot and attempted to interview him at the aircraft sales business he owns in the San Diego area. He refused to answer questions but did not deny that he was the owner of the helicopter and the person sitting at the controls in the visitor's photos. The agents were also able to photograph the helicopter parked in the company's hanger. He was later charged in magistrate's court and pled guilty to a violation of air delivery regulations under the terms of a plea agreement on March 14th. He was sentenced to serve one year's court probation, to pay a $2,000 fine, and to perform two days of unpaid community service flight time with his aircraft. [Dan Horner, Special Agent]

Hawaii Volcanoes NP

Storm Seriously Damages Communications Systems

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 2nd, a severe thunder and lightning storm hit the volcano area of the Big Island of Hawaii. The park's main radio transmitter and the park communication center's transformer were struck by lightning, knocking out the phone and radio systems. The communication center serves as a central dispatching center for Hawaii Volcanoes NP, Haleakala NP, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP, Kaloko Honokohau NHP, Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS, Kalaupapa NHP, and the USS Arizona Memorial. Although radio communication was soon re-established, the phone system remains down parkwide. The repair costs are estimated at $50,000 to repair the radio system, phone system, and computer/network infrastructure. Primary communication to the park is by email and by cell phones. The PWHO/HAVO IT staff are currently working to repair the phone and radio systems, but it is unknown when the phone system will be up and running. [Gail Minami-Judd, Acting Chief Ranger]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Wrangell-St. Elias NP

Passing of Jed Davis

Superintendent Jed Davis, 56, died Monday afternoon, April 3rd, in Anchorage, Alaska. His wife, Nancy, and their three adult children, Ben, Abe and Bethan, were with him as he passed away in his sleep.

Jed had announced his retirement on Friday, March 31st, after a 33-year career with the National Park Service. His career began at Grand Canyon National Park as a seasonal laborer, and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility at several Western parks. He was named superintendent at Wrangell-St. Elias in 2004. He had moved to the Alaska Region in 2000 as assistant superintendent at Glacier Bay National Park.

"All of us who knew Jed are profoundly saddened by his death, but we will remember him as a man who brought great energy to all that he did in life, whether at home or work or play," said Regional Director Marcia Blaszak. "Jed never forgot that his career began as a laborer, and he was able to use his practical experiences to relate to the everyday concerns of local residents and park staff. At the same time, he had a long-range vision about Wrangell-St. Elias and its relavency to Alaskans. In less than two years as the superintendent, he had already gained the respect of many residents of the local park communities. His energy, vision and great friendly nature will be dearly missed."

Davis had been fighting cancer since a diagnosis in October 2005. He remained engaged in park business throughout the winter, meeting with park area residents as recently as mid-March to discuss the development of new access policies.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 1101 Cordova St., Apt 341, Anchorage, AK 99501. Nancy Davis can also be reached by email at HYPERLINK "mailto:nancyjrd@hotmail.com" nancyjrd@hotmail.com.

Memorial services have not been planned at this time. [Vic Knox, Deputy Regional Director]

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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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