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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Monday, November 27, 2006 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Slayer Of Ranger Likely To Spend Life In Custody A 37-year-old man being held at a federal medical facility after his insanity acquittal in the 1999 fatal shooting of ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell will probably spend the rest of his life in custody. On Monday, a federal district court judge ruled that E.F.B. III is dangerous and ordered him to a secured medical facility to be chosen by the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson, who argued that E.F.B. should not be released, said that he will remain in custody until he demonstrates that he is not a danger. "The government believes quite firmly that his mental disease renders him a substantial danger, and we'll be fighting to keep him in custody for as long as we possibly can," preferably the rest of his life, Sorenson said. Makuakane-Jarrell was shot after responding to a complaint about E.F.B.'s dogs. E.F.B., who was homeless at the time, grabbed the ranger's gun during a struggle and shot him. E.F.B.'s case was delayed several times because he was not ruled competent to face trial until this year. At the trial, mental-health experts testified that E.F.B. suffered from severe paranoia and schizophrenia. Les Inafuku, chief ranger at Kaloko-Honokohau, said that rangers were pleased because the decision was the best possible outcome, given the circumstances of the case. "We have to look at the big picture and not just think of park rangers," he said. "If somebody is a danger to a park ranger, obviously that person is probably a danger to everybody." [Ken Kobayashi, Honolulu Advertiser] East Coast Areas Strong Nor'easter Causes Closures, Evacuations A strong nor'easter moving up the Atlantic coastline last week caused damage, closures and evacuations at several areas: Cape Lookout NS - The storm passed over the park on Tuesday, November 21st, bringing winds of up to nearly 60 mph and tides that were four to six feet above normal. The unusually high tides caused flooding in many areas and closure of some roads in nearby communities. Strong winds continued throughout the day. At the time of the report (midday on Wednesday), park staff were in the process of conducting an assessment to determine if there'd been any damage to structures, docks or other park assets. Outer Banks Group - High winds and heavy rain caused the closure of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial on Wednesday, November 22nd. Only essential personnel reported to work. The storm caused power outages, dangerous surf, flooding, and wind damage throughout the Outer Banks. The parks were to remain closed on Thursday so that park staff could evaluate conditions and determine when it would be safe to reopen them. Shenandoah NP - Due to high winds and rains on the night of Thursday, November 23rd, Skyline Drive and all visitor and park facilities along the drive were closed to the public and all but essential personnel. Road crews worked throughout Thursday and Friday to clear trees, debris and boulders from the road. Visitor centers and concession facilities were closed due to both power outages and inaccessibility. A path was opened along the road to Big Meadows so that visitors and concession employees there could be evacuated and escorted out of the park. At the time of the report (Friday morning), similar efforts were underway to reach Skyland Lodge and evacuate employees and visitors at that location. [Jon Pierce, RLES, SERO; Barry Munyan, Chief Ranger, CALO; Karen Gochenour, SHEN] Mount Rainier NP Flood Damage Estimated At $30 Million Congressman Norm Dicks toured flood-damaged areas at Mount Rainier on November 21st. Dicks traveled the Nisqually Road and saw maintenance employees at work repairing utilities and rebuilding the park road. He also saw the three locations on the road that still need substantial work before the park can reopen. In a meeting with park employees, Dicks voiced his strong commitment to helping the NPS obtain funding for flood repairs. Based on input from the Federal Highways Administration, superintendent Dave Uberuaga estimates the cost of flood repair will be $30 million. It is unlikely that Paradise, the primary winter destination in the park, will reopen in time for the Christmas holiday. Park employees still hope to be able to return to their offices in Longmire before 2007. Regional media interest has been strong. [Lee Taylor, Information Officer] OTHER NEWS Other news from today's edition of InsideNPS, the National Park Service's home page: Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS - On Monday, November 20th, the family of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King unveiled the final crypt and resting place for the revered civil rights couple. NPS Alumni - On November 20th, the National Park Service family lost both a friend and a lifetime advocate when Bill Supernaugh succumbed to cancer following a valiant battle. Director's Office - Director Bomar has announced that Sue Masica will serve as her chief of staff in an acting capacity for the next 120 days. Glacier NP - The park is seeking a qualified candidate for a lateral transfer to a GS-9 park ranger (protection) position. The person selected will serve as the Goat Haunt area ranger. Glen Canyon NRA - The Uplake District is recruiting for a ranger interested in a lateral transfer to a year-round, full performance GS-9 park ranger (protection) position in the Bullfrog Subdistrict. To link to InsideNPS, click on HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/ * * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |