Biscayne National Park (FL)
Diver Struck And Killed By Boat
On the morning of March 3rd, R.A., 29, was free-diving with a friend in about 50 feet of water on the park's northern boundary when he was struck by a passing 54-foot cabin cruiser. His leg was severed in the accident. R.A. was transported to a nearby harbor, where he was met by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units. He was then airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but died en route. The incident is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. [Submitted by Stephen Clark, Chief Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide
2006 Visitation Figures Released
Overall, there were just over 272 million recreation visits to the national park system last year, about the same number as in 2005.
Comparable figures at ten year intervals since the agency's birth are as follows (rounded off):
- 1916 — 359,000
- 1926 — 2,315,000
- 1936 — 11,990,000
- 1946 — 21,752,000
- 1956 — 61,602,000
- 1966 — 133,081,000
- 1976 — 216,555,000
- 1986 — 237,094,000
- 1996 — 265,796,000
As for the top ten visited units last year, they were, in order:
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Golden Gate NRA
- Great Smoky Mountains NP
- Gateway NRA
- Lake Mead NRA
- George Washington MP
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- Delaware Water Gap NRA
- Cape Cod NS
- Grand Canyon NP
PARKS AND PEOPLE
NPS Alumni
Passing Of Chet Brooks
Chester L. "Chet" Brooks, a career employee with the NPS from 1951 to 1983 and a past superintendent and regional director, passed away in his sleep on the night of March 4th following a long fight with cancer. He was 89.
Chet was born on June 18, 1917 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Augsburg College, graduating with a BA in 1942, then went into the service. During World War II, he served in the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne, with jumps into Normandy and Holland and service in Bastogne, and mustered out as a sergeant.
On June 29, 1946, Chet married Ebba Johnson, his college sweetheart. He returned to college, obtaining a masters in history from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He was working on a doctorate when he got his first job in the NPS as a historian at Theodore Roosevelt NMP in 1951.
In 1957, Chet's career took him from Theodore Roosevelt to the superintendency of Booker T. Washington NM, where he remained until moving into the superintendent's slot at Petersburg NMP in 1959. He then went on to serve as an interpretive specialist working with states in the Omaha office (1961-1962), as a project manger and superintendent at Bighorn Canyon NRA (1962-1965), as a park planner and planning team captain for WASO and the NPS Service Center's Eastern Team (1965-1969), and as superintendent at Independence NHP (1969-1971).
Chet then became regional director for the former Northeast Region, which was reorganized into the Mid-Atlantic Region (1971-1976). The balance of his career was spent as superintendent of Rocky Mountain NP (1976-1983).
Chet received the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Award in 1978. He received the award "in recognition of his achievements in the fields of administration, historical interpretation and public service" throughout his career. The award also specifically noted his work as superintendent at Independence and his leadership during the Bicentennial.
Chet was active with the Employee and Alumni Association and served on the board for Eastern National after retiring.
He is survived by Ebba Brooks, his wife of 60 years; his children and their spouses, Roger (Carol) Brooks of Concord, NH, Nancy Sailstad of Duluth, MN, Anne (Brian) Adams of St. Croix Falls, WI, and Barrett (Janet) Brooks of Fairfax, VA; and by 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Condolences can be sent to Ebba Brooks at 106 S. 30th Ave. East, Duluth, MN 55812, or via Anne and Brian at badams003@centurytel.net . Donations may be made in lieu of flowers in Chet's name to the E&AA George B. Hartzog, Jr. Educational Loan Program (http://www.eandaa.org/) or to an Animal Humane Society of your choice (http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/ ).
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 10th, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth.
Northeast Region - Ranger Activities
Farewell From Marc Vagos
A farewell note from Marc Vagos, staff park ranger for Northeast Regional Office, whose last day of public service was Friday, March 2nd:
"I have been blessed to have had a profession that I have loved and the opportunity to work with so many dedicated and skilled folks. I leave with 34 years of government service, 32 years of that with NPS and two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
"It has been a wonderful career filled with good memories and much satisfaction. I can honestly say that there were few, very few days in the past 32 years when I got up in the morning and did not look forward to going to work! I have been proud to call myself a park ranger.
"I came to the Northeast Regional Office as your staff park ranger with the goal of serving and supporting you and our field rangers. My hope is that I have served you well.
"God bless each of you in the good and rewarding work as stewards of our national parks!"
[Submitted by Barb Stewart, Barb_Stewart@nps.gov, 434-977-1375 x3365]
Zion National Park (UT)
GS-303-6/7 Supervisory Visitor Use Assistant
Zion National Park is advertising a vacancy announcement for a supervisory visitor use assistant. This GS-303-6/7 position is currently open on USAJOBS, vacancy announcement number ZION-DEU/MPP-07-27, and closes on Friday, March 16th. This position provides a great opportunity for an individual to gain valuable supervisory and management skills. The Zion fee program is a dynamic and exciting program with opportunities to supervise entrance stations, campgrounds, remittance, and traffic control operations. Zion fee program employees are provided with a variety of experiences allowing them to be well-rounded and skilled park service employees. The person selected will be a vital member of the fee program supervisory team and will have the opportunity to gain a wide variety of skills. Zion National Park is an amazing and beautiful place to work and live. Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in all of the United States. Protected within the park's 229 square miles is a dramatic landscape of deep canyons and soaring cliffs. From cool pine covered plateaus to scorching deserts, Zion is a geologic showcase full of surprises. Zion National Park and the surrounding community provide a myriad of recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, climbing, canyoneering, river rafting, and skiing. Only a short drive away, the communities of Hurricane and St George offer extensive shopping, eating, academic, and employment opportunities. In addition, the vast resources of Las Vegas are only 2 1/2 hours away. If you would like more information about this challenging position in an incredibly diverse and beautiful park, please call Zion fee program manager Shelagh Forester at 435-772-7816.
[Submitted by Shelagh Forester, Fee Program Manager]
More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type;=Announcements&id;=3363All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office. The former will be forwarded to the appropriate staff in WASO.