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New River Gorge National River (WV)
Five BASE Jumpers Convicted
While conducting a patrol just before daybreak on January 15th, ranger Randy Fisher saw several parachutes open just below the New River Gorge Bridge. Fisher contacted and attempted to detain the five jumpers at their landing site, but four of the five took off running while Fisher was waiting for backup. One of them — P.L., 48, of Urbana, Illinois — was apprehended by Fisher as he ran along the CSX railroad tracks, and another was found later in the morning attempting to hitchhike out of the gorge on Fayette Station Road. By day's end, three people had been arrested and booked into jail — P.L., D.D., 30, and C.B.A., 23. C.B.A. and D.D. are also from Urbana. That evening, a fourth parachutist — V.S., 47, of Romulus, Michigan — surrendered to Fisher at the Burnwood ranger station and said that he and his wife — E.S., 23 — would appear before a federal magistrate on January 16th. Prior to their initial appearances, all five agreed to have their cases heard before the federal magistrate and agreed to plead 'no contest' to the charges:
- V.S. was fined $1,320 for his second illegal air delivery violation in the park (the first was in 2004) and for fleeing an officer
- E.S. was fined $85 for fleeing an officer
- D.D., C.B.A. and P.L. were each fined $635 for illegal air delivery and for fleeing an office
Fisher was assisted by other rangers and an NPS special agent, by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, and by Oak Hill City Police Department. Media interest was high. [Submitted by Duncan Hollar, Assistant Chief Ranger]
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Saratoga National Historical Park (NY)
Ice Storm Drops Trees, Damages VC
The park closed on the afternoon of January 15th due to extensive damage caused by an ice storm that passed through the region. The storm downed more than 20 trees on the entrance road, but park maintenance employees worked hard to remove them and the road was reopened by noon the following day. The visitor center was struck by two falling trees and suffered damage to the membrane roof, causing leaks into the exhibit area. Damaged were ceiling tiles, lighting fixtures, the carpet, and reproduction living history materials that were on exhibit. Park staff removed collection items from the exhibits and temporarily housed them elsewhere until the roof could be repaired. The nine-mile-long tour road, which is closed for the season, has numerous downed trees on it which will take a crew of three at least a week to remove. The park's 14 miles of trails and interpretive paths have not yet been evaluated, but it's expected that trees will be down all along them. The park is open. [Submitted by Joe Finan, Assistant Superintendent]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
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Dry Tortugas National Park (FL)
Research Natural Area Regs Go Into Effect
Special regulations for Dry Tortugas National Park, published in the Federal Register last December 19th, will go into effect today. Among other things, the regulations establish a research natural area (RNA) that adds a new layer of protection for the marine resources of the park by prohibiting fishing and anchoring.
"The RNA complements the adjacent Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, creating the largest no-take marine reserve in the continental United States," said superintendent Kimball. "The plan for protecting this area of the park was developed with broad public participation and the direct involvement of the state of Florida, the sanctuary, fishing organizations, and other interest groups; we will be implementing the RNA with an emphasis on education and cooperation with partner agencies, local communities, user groups, and individual users as we work to place boundary and mooring buoys in the RNA."
The RNA is a 46-square-mile, no-take/no-anchor ecological preserve that provides a sanctuary for species affected by fishing and loss of habitat. This area is located in the northwest portion of the park (see map above). Generally, it is the area within the park boundary that is enclosed by connecting with straight lines the coordinate 82:51:00W and 24:36:00N with 82:58:00W and 24:36:00N, and with 82:51:00W and 24:43:32N. Not included is the area within one nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light (82:52:19.02W and 24:37:41.34N) and the central portion of Loggerhead Key. Kimball emphasizes that 54 percent of the park remains open to fishing.
Although the new regulations prohibit anchoring within the RNA, boaters will be allowed to anchor during daylight hours on sand bottoms until the mooring buoys are in place. Overnight anchoring can only occur on sand bottoms within one nautical mile of the harbor light located at the fort. Additional information on the new regulations can be found on the park's website, www.nps.gov/drto .
This RNA provides opportunities for snorkelers, divers, boaters, and researchers to enjoy a beautiful marine environment while protecting important coral reef habitat. Park managers believe that the RNA will improve the visitor experience for the increasing numbers of visitors who now travel to this remote off-shore national park, located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida.
Under the new plan, Dry Tortugas National Park will be divided into four zones that offer a variety of primary uses:
- The historic preservation zone (where Ft. Jefferson is located) is the focus of the greatest visitor activities including guided tours, historical interpretation, bird watching, photography, picnicking, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving and recreational fishing.
- The natural/cultural zone, east and south of the RNA, will now be managed to improve natural resource quality and allow visitors to experience remoteness and solitude with opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, recreational fishing and viewing wildlife. Visitors can enjoy natural resources with almost no facilities or services and experience the "vast expanse of sea and sky" characteristic of this remote national park.
- The research natural area zone allows for the protection of outstanding marine and terrestrial habitats, spawning fish species, and pristine coral reefs. The use of anchors will not be allowed, and scientific research and other educational activities consistent with the management of this zone will require advance permits from the National Park Service. No fishing is allowed in research natural areas in order to protect and build up important fish nursery and spawning areas that will produce greater abundance and diversity of fish in other important recreational and commercial fisheries. This also meets the park's legislative mandate "to protect a pristine sub-tropical marine ecosystem and unique and outstanding cultural resources." Wildlife viewing, snorkeling, diving, boating, and sightseeing can be enjoyed by private boaters or by visitors utilizing the services of commercial tour guides.
- Special protection zones are being established in areas requiring protection from human impact, such as sea turtle and bird nesting areas, shallow or sensitive corals and significant submerged cultural resources. Boundaries of the special protection zones can be adjusted within the season to protect areas at certain critical periods of the year.
"Visitation to the Dry Tortugas has quadrupled since 1994," notes Kimball. "The RNA allows for a better visitor experience while protecting the unique natural treasures above and below the sea. Future generations will be able to experience the remoteness, tranquility, and the abundance and diversity of coral and marine and bird species that were once common in this part of America but are found in only a few very special places today."
"The park's goal for the future of the South Florida resources is that recreational and commercial fishermen will see more and bigger fish, more conch, and more lobster in Florida Bay, the Straits of Florida, and beyond as a result of the critical spawning and nursery areas that we are protecting in the park."
[Submitted by Linda Friar, Public Information Officer, External Affairs]
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Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
Please submit information on upcoming training courses to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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January 21 — January 28
Wilderness First Responder, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. This course will be taught by Roane State Community College and focuses on the special situations that may develop in the wilderness. Participants will be eligible for national registry and Tennessee state testing upon completion of the program. The course is highly recommended by Great Smoky Mountains NP staff. A discount is offered for NPS personnel but is not listed on the website. For additional information, go to http://www.gsmit.org/adult/wfr.html .
January 23 — January 25
How To Succeed With Volunteers-In-Parks, Lincoln Home NHS, Lincoln, IL. The workshop will focus on skills necessary to develop and maintain a successful VIP program. For more information, call Bettie Blake at 402-661-1638 or go to http://midwest.nps.gov/office/admin/hr/VIP%20Training.doc
January 23 — January 25
Life Fire Recertification Course, Big Bend NP, TX. This course satisfies the refresher requirements for NPS structural firefighters as outlined in section 14 of RM—58 on structural fire management. The course is designed to refresh previously certified NPS structural firefighters with varied live fire scenarios. No tuition; travel paid by benefiting account. Mandatory requirements include successful completion of ICS 100, proof of successful completion of a certified structural firefighter training course, proof of medical fitness, and proof of successful completion of a current arduous duty physical fitness test. Applications must be submitted by January 15th. For more info and an application form, contact Sheila Williams in Boise (Sheila_Williams@nps.gov, 208-387-5203).
January 29 — February 2
Introductory Survival Spanish for Law Enforcement, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, CA. Partners in Training Consultants, Inc., a private Spanish language training firm which specializes in Spanish programs for public safety personnel will be presenting this five-day, forty-hour course at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This class will acquaint law enforcement personnel with Spanish pronunciation, street/slang Spanish, arrest expressions, commands, cultural information, and techniques for gathering information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. Students will be introduced to Spanish grammar as it addresses the needs of the law enforcement ranger. This course is designed for officers with little or no knowledge of the Spanish language. There is no tuition for this training. Travel, lodging and per diem will be the responsibility of the benefiting park. Selection will be based on a first-come, first-served basis and demonstrated needs. To apply, e-mail applications to Sequoia and Kings Canyon LE Ranger Roger Mayo at Roger_Mayo@nps.gov. For more information about Partners in Training, log on to their website http://www.partnersintraining.com/index.htm
January 29 — February 2
Motorboat Operator Certification Course, Everglades NP, Homestead, FL. The course focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for personnel to safely and effectively operate powerboats. The training will fulfill the DOI training requirements for persons operating class A or 1 vessels. No tuition; travel and per diem paid by benefiting account. Nominations must be emailed to Robert Gantt (Robert_gantt@nps.gov) by COB on January 24th. For more information, contact Robert Gantt via email or at 239-695-3096.
February 12 — February 16
Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. The 36-hour course covers all aspects of special park uses from First Amendment rights to filming and photography to wireless telecommunication sites. Temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses will also be discussed. DO-53/RM-53 is covered in depth, as well as 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies 2006. A draft agenda is posted on the special park uses web page. For more information, contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092.
February 21 — February 23
EMT Basic Refresher, Valley Forge NHP, King of Prussia, PA. The course will provide participants with 24 hours of core requirement training, as mandated by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Applications must be submitted by COB on February 16th. They should be sent via email to John Waterman (John_Waterman@nps.gov) or faxed to him at 610-783-1085. No tuition for NPS employees. Travel and per diem must be paid by the student's park. Several dorm rooms are available at the park. For further information, call him at 610-783-1050 (office) or 610-487-4591 (cell).
February 23 — February 25
Wilderness First Responder Refresher, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Townsend, TN. This program satisfies the requirements for First Responder renewal with NREMT. It serves as an excellent review of wilderness medical information and skills. The program is taught by Roane State Community College. The course is highly recommended by Great Smoky Mountains NP staff. A discount is offered for NPS personnel but is not listed on the website. For additional information, go to http://www.gsmit.org/adult/wfr.html .
February 26 — March 2
Annual LE Refresher, Gulf Islands NS, Pensacola Beach, FL. The class will include a legal update, ethics, RM updates, the NPS internal investigations program, drug identification, use of force and defensive tactics. For more information, contact either Melissa Lanshe (850-232-8749 or Melissa_Lanshe@nps.gov ) or DeDe Mladucky (850-916-5634, Deanna_Mladucky@nps.gov ).
February 26 — March 2
Archeological Resources Protection Training (ARPTP), Las Vegas, NV. This 37-hour course provides training in all aspects of an archeological investigation and in the subsequent prosecution of crimes. It is taught by accomplished instructors who are nationally-recognized subject matter experts in the fields of law enforcement, archeology and law. For NPS registration information, contact Wiley Golden at 912-267-2246. All others should contact Virginia McCleskey at 912-554-4828.
March 5 — March 9
Electric Systems, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. This course provides participants with guidance on the siting, construction, operation, and management of electric utilities. Agency roles and responsibilities in the application and compliance process are discussed. The course code is BLM-TC-1730-21. Contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092 for more information.
March 13 — March 15
EMT-B Refreshers, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Gatlinburg, TN. The course will be taught by Roane State Community College and will meet NREMT biannual refresher requirements or count as CEU's. Tuition is $75. For more information, contact Bob Wightman at 865-436-1261 or bob_wightman@nps.gov .
March 16
EMT-B Skills Verification, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Gatlinburg, TN. The course will be taught by Roane State Community College and is intended to meet the verification of skill competence section of the NREMT EMT-B re-registration form. Tuition is $25. For more information, contact Bob Wightman at 865-436-1261 or bob_wightman@nps.gov .
March 19 — March 20
ALS (Parkmedic) Refresher, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Gatlinburg, TN. The course will be taught by Roane State Community College. Participants who also attend the preceding EMT-B 24-hour refresher will satisfy requirements for the NREMT 36-hour EMT-I refresher. EMT-B's may also attend for CEU's. Tuition is $75. For more information, contact Bob Wightman at 865-436-1261 or bob_wightman@nps.gov .
March 19 — March 23
Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Certification, Mammoth Cave NP, KY. Tuition NTE $325, depending on the number of participants; travel and tuition paid by benefiting account. Participants will receive a certificate for 40 hours of COR training in construction and services (including A&E services). The course will not provide training to serve as a COR for agreements. The deadline for enrollment is February 20th. Contact Mary Conner (270-758-2171, Mary_Conner@nps.gov ).
March 19 — March 23
Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification, Lake Mead NRA, Boulder City, NV. This course is designed to prepare persons who have previously completed the MOCC program to instruct others in the field of motorboat operations. Students successfully completing this course will be certified to instruct the DOI motorboat operator certification course. No tuition. The deadline for enrollment is February 2nd. For more information, contact course coordinator Wendy Bredow (907-697-2686, Wendy_Bredow@nps.gov).
March 26 — March 29
Interagency Regional Wilderness Stewardship Training, Alamosa, CO. Sponsored by the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The course objectives are to interpret the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the stewardship responsibilities common to all wilderness managers, explore key management issues common to wildernesses in the southern Rocky Mountains, and to connect with other wilderness professionals from surrounding areas and other agencies. No tuition; participants will pay their own travel, meals and lodging. For more information, contact Tim Devine, NPS representative at the Carhart Center, (406) 243-4612. Closes January 29th. Another regional course will be offered in western Montana from May 7th to May 10th. For information on these and other wilderness training courses, check out http://carhart.wilderness.net .
April 3 — April 5
Colt Law Enforcement M16/AR15 Armorer's School, Valley Forge NHP, King of Prussia, PA. Upon completion of the three-day course, students will have a complete understanding of the design theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance and trouble-shooting of the M16/AR-15 family of weapons including rifles, carbines, and sub-machine guns. Tuition is $400. For further information, contact course coordinator John T. Waterman (610-783-1050, John_Waterman@nps.gov ).
April 8 — April 11
Siting Wireless Communications, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. This interagency course introduces participants to the regulatory requirements and agency policies associated with siting wireless communication facilities. Participants will learn to distinguish between different wireless communication technologies and services and identify ways to improve the processing of applications. The course code is BLM-TC-2000-21. There's no tuition for NPS participants. Contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092 for more information.
April 30 — May 3
Pipeline Systems, Durango, CO. The course provides participants with information on the siting, construction, operation, and management of oil and gas pipeline systems. Agency roles and responsibilities in the application and compliance process are discussed. The course code is BLM-TC-1730-22. Contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092 for more information.
May 7 — May 11
High-Angle Rescue Training, Shenandoah NP, VA. This is the tenth year for this course. By moving it to Shenandoah, course organizers hope to make it more accessible to those parks that could benefit from such training. There should also be a helicopter course instructed by the Park Police. The course is designed for rangers and rescue personnel who are tasked with the extrication of victims in a high-angle rescue environment. All participants need to be in good physical condition and will be spending periods of time on fixed ropes in high exposure environments. Participants need to supply their own harnesses, helmets, gloves and personal locking carabineers. Applications are due by April 1st. For more information, pleas contact coordinators Rob Turan (706-866-6627, rob_turan@nps.gov) or Kevin Moses (423-569-2404 ext. 267, kevin_moses@nps.gov).
July 30 — August 3
Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, DOI Learning Center in Albuquerque, NM. The 36-hour course covers all aspects of special park uses from First Amendment rights to filming and photography to wireless telecommunication sites. Temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses will also be discussed. DO-53/RM-53 is covered in depth, as well as 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies 2006. A draft agenda is posted on the special park uses web page. For more information, contact Lee Dickinson in WASO at 202-513-7092.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
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Midwest Region
GL-0025-9 Park Ranger (Law Enforcement)
Dates: 01/17/2007 - 01/31/2007
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is seeking a GL-0025-9 law enforcement ranger. This position is currently being advertised on USAJOBS. This is a fine opportunity for someone to enhance their professional development by becoming part of a pro-active team of resource and visitor protection/law enforcement professionals.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the system. The park is comprised of approximately 15,000 acres of beaches, sand dunes, and oak savannah forest. Swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, horse back riding, and camping are enjoyed by approximately two million visitors each year.
Summertime activities afford the opportunity to experience a wide variety of people-centered incidents and activities. Once the weather cools in the fall, operations focus more on resource-based enforcement such as fishing and poaching. Opportunities to perform the full range of law enforcement and public safety activities abound. Rangers are also often involved in overt/covert special operations, simple and complex investigations, and EMS and SAR operations.
The park rests largely between the cities of Gary and Michigan City, Indiana. As the area economy is transitioning away from the traditional steel mill culture, Northwest Indiana is seeing a rapid improvement in the quality of life. The surrounding area is primarily suburban and rural in nature. The park boasts one of the finest salmon fisheries in the Midwest and opportunities for outdoor recreation are numerous. The City of Chicago is an hour away and has all of the cultural and recreational amenities of a major metropolitan area. The Indiana Dunes area has great school systems and a wide variety of housing options in all price ranges are available (the park has no permanent housing). Moving allowances may be available. The park is within the Chicago locality pay area.
Those interested in becoming part of our team should apply to the announcement currently open on USAJOBS (for a copy, click on "More Information" below). If you have any questions, contact supervisory park ranger Steve Chorba at 219-926-7561 ext. 314 or chief ranger Mike Bremer at ext. 301.
[Submitted by Steve Chorba or Mike Bremer, 219-926-7561, ext 314 or 301 respectively]
More Information...
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Mesa Verde National Park (CO)
GS-1420-9 Archivist (Term)
Dates: 01/12/2007 - 01/26/2007
Mesa Verde National Park has issued a vacancy announcement for a GS-1420-9 archivist. This is a term position, not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to four years. For a copy of the announcement, click on "More Information" below.
[Submitted by Laura M. Lenihan, laura_lenihan@nps.gov, 970-529-5068]
More Information...
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.