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Shenandoah National Park (VA)
Ice Storm Closes Portions Of Skyline Drive
Parts of Skyline Drive have been closed due to extensive damage caused by an ice storm that struck the park last week. The storm, which began on Thursday, November 22nd, caused power outages and downed thousands of trees and tree limbs. Crews worked throughout Thanksgiving Day and on Friday to open Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap south to the Big Meadows area and from Front Royal to the Dickey Ridge area. All other areas of Skyline Drive remain closed. Park staff began assessing trails and structures yesterday and continued clearing debris from the drive. Park visitor centers, lodges, restaurants and gift shops closed for the winter on November 26th. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park. [Submitted by Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
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Haleakala National Park (HI)
Recovery From October Quake Continues
The park continues to recover from the impacts of the 6.7 earthquake that shook the Hawaiian islands on October 15th. Aftershocks are still occurring, including a 5.0 quake on Thanksgiving Day. The county road on the north side of Maui to the Kipahulu area is expected to reopen this Friday following the installation of a temporary bridge. The southern approach to the Kaupo Gap portion of the park will remain closed, however, until a rockslide there can be removed. Work is set to begin in mid-December. The Ka'apahu unit will remain closed until further notice due to huge slabs of fractured rock hanging precariously over the roadway in the same location where ranger Suzi Roberts was killed by a rockslide in September, 2004. The park has been partnering with a number of organizations, including FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, the Red Cross and local and state organizations, to bring relief to the landlocked communities of east Maui (including park employees). These operations include food and water drops and the provision of emergency support. Park staff have provided transportation and support to fire and police department crews unable to get equipment and vehicles to the area. A landing zone has been established in the park to provide the Hawaii Air National Guard with a place to bring in supplies and relief workers. [Submitted by Mark Tanaka-Sanders, Acting Superintendent]
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Olympic National Park (WA)
Access Restored To Quinault Area
The Finley Creek bridge along the Quinault North Shore Road, which was heavily damaged during the November 6th storm, reopened last Wednesday. With both the North Shore and South Shore Roads reopened, access has been restored to the entire Quinault Loop. The Hoh Road and visitor area remain closed because of extensive damage along that road. This temporary closure includes the campground, trails, road and other facilities. Park staff and Federal Highways Administration engineers continue to develop options for restoring emergency access across the 75-foot long washout at West Twin Creek. All park roads are now open with the exception of:
- Staircase Road — The road is closed outside the park due to unstable soils caused by this summer's Bear Gulch 2 Fire.
- Dosewallips Road — Closed outside the park boundary because of a washout.
- Deer Park Road — Closed for the season.
- Sol Duc Road — Closed because of fallen trees and debris on the road.
- Hoh Road — Closed, as noted above.
- Queets Road — Closed at Matheny Creek because of a slide and washout.
- North Fork Road and Graves Creek Road in the Quinault Valley — Both remain closed because of storm damage.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)
GS-0025-13 Chief Ranger
The chief ranger position at Ozark National Scenic Riverways is open and on USA Jobs. The closing date is January 2nd.
This GS-13 position is stationed at headquarters in Van Buren, Missouri, in the Ozark Highlands. The park incorporates 134 miles of crystal clear rivers with over 300 natural springs and 300 caves to explore. Although the majority of the 1.5 million visitors visit in the summer, the park is active with year-round hunting and fishing and 140 scenic easements to monitor. This is a challenging yet rewarding position with lots of opportunity to make a difference. Over 1300 citations and 30 arrests are handled yearly. The protection program is well supported with a solid management team. The chief ranger serves on the park's core GMP planning team. Campground revenues and special park uses are also assigned to the chief's office.
The Chief directly supervises three GS-11 district rangers, a GS-11 law enforcement specialist, a GS-12 FMO, and a division secretary. The chief indirectly supervises 12 field commissioned rangers, nine permanent fire staff, and a varying number of seasonals. The park's FMO serves as an interagency FMO, managing 600,000 acres of Forest Service and NPS lands with prescribed fire, wildland suppression and a fire ecology team. The FMO supervises USFS fire personnel.
If you have questions, contact superintendent Noel Poe or deputy superintendent Russ Runge at 573-323-4236, extension 225, or former chief ranger Kinsey Shilling at North Cascades National Park.
[Submitted by Noel Poe, Superintendent]Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.