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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Thursday, October 5, 2006 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Acadia NP Stronger Earthquake Follows First Tremor Local residents and visitors to Acadia National Park felt the now-familiar rumble of an earthquake again on Monday, October 2nd, as a 3.8-magnitude tremor shook Mount Desert Island at 8:07 p.m. This stronger earthquake followed a week of small aftershocks that have occurred since the initial 3.4-magnitude tremor struck on Friday, September 22nd. While the epicenter of the first earthquake was located in the park near the Precipice Trail parking area, this one was located a short distance away in the Atlantic Ocean, just off Great Head. Although still considered minor, this earthquake (initially reported as a magnitude 4.2 and downgraded to 3.9, then 3.8) was felt across Maine and more than 300 miles away in New Hampshire. For those nearest the earthquake, a loud boom announced the arrival of the earthquake, which was followed by shaking that lasted from 10 to 30 seconds. No park buildings were damaged, but the newest tremor was strong enough to cause rock falls in several areas of the park. The Park Loop Road was closed on Tuesday morning to allow park staff to remove several large boulders from the road. The Precipice Trail and East Face Trail on Champlain Mountain sustained substantial damage from rock slides and have been closed. An initial assessment suggests that neither of these trails will be reopened until next spring. Boulders have fallen on several additional trails, but at this time all other trails remain open. For details about the latest earthquake, including epicenter maps and intensity statistics, visit the related USGS website at HYPERLINK "http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/ustib1.php#details" http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/ustib1.php#details. [Ginny Reams, Writer-Editor] Gauley River NRA Rafter Drowns In River Rapid On the morning of September 11th, ranger Randy Fisher was flagged down by a kayaker at the Upper Gauley parking area and was advised that there was a rescue in progress somewhere near the Tailwaters put-in. Fisher and West Virginia conservation officers attempted to determine where the rescue was taking place along the nearly inaccessible river. During the search, rafters on scene were able to locate the victim - B.W., 30, of Vienna, West Virginia - and get him to the river bank. B.W. was carried to an ambulance, where resuscitation efforts led to the restoration of his breathing. He was then taken to the Charleston Area Medical Center. An investigation revealed what had happened: One of B.W.'s fellow rafters had fallen into the river at an entrance rapid. While those in the boat were attempting to retrieve him, it was swept into a large undercut rock, causing it to flip and spill everyone into the river. All the rafters but B.W. were flushed out from under the rock. He was caught there and held underwater for several minutes. B.W. remained unresponsive and in critical condition in the hospital until he succumbed to his injuries on September 29th. B.W. was a chemical engineer for DuPont and a part-time raft guide. The incident occurred during one of the scheduled high water releases from the Summersville Dam for the Gauley whitewater season. A joint investigation by the National Park Service and West Virginia DNR continues. [Gary Hartley, Chief Ranger] Ocmulgee NM Special Event: Ocmulgee Indian Celebration The fifteenth annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration was held in the park from Friday, September 15th, to Sunday, September 17th. About 15,000 people attended the event. Around 2,400 fourth graders attended the “school day” portion of the event on Friday. More than 250 Native Americans participated in this year's celebration. The park was assisted by rangers and maintenance workers from Andersonville, Big South Fork, Chattahoochee, Cumberland Gap, Gulf Islands, Jimmy Carter, Kennesaw Mountain, Martin Luther King, Timucuan and Southeast Regional Office. Also providing support were local deputies, Ocmulgee National Monument Association staff, and volunteers. Altogether, 110 volunteers contributed 900 hours to the event. Two medical cases occurred; both were transported to the hospital. The event was managed under ICS, with chief ranger Guy LaChine serving as IC. [Jim David, Superintendent] NEWS Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center - Several items have been newly posted to the site. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4830" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4830 Grand Canyon NP - The park has opened up its lottery for noncommercial river trip permits. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4832" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4832 MEDIA Sequoia NP - News story on a new partnership between Sequoia NP and Samlaut NP in Cambodia. HYPERLINK "http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/04/MNGI9LHUQP1.DTL" http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/04/MNGI9LHUQP1.DTL PEOPLE Harpers Ferry NHP - A thank you note to the NPS family from Roxanne Ruppenthal for all the sympathy and support extended to her family following the death of her son in Iraq. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4831" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=4831 Natural Resource Stewardship and Science - Dr. Steven Fancy, an ecologist with the Natural Resource Program Center's Inventory and Monitoring Program, recently received the Department's meritorious service award in recognition of outstanding leadership in the development of natural resource monitoring programs for the NPS. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1335" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1335 * * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |