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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Tuesday, May 22, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs Two Men Charged With Marijuana Cultivation In Park On May 17th, a federal grand jury in Fresno indicted S.P.-P., 27, and A.G.M., 19, both of Mexico, on charges of conspiring to manufacture, to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. The two men were arrested on May 6th in connection with their involvement in a large-scale marijuana cultivation operation in the Elk Creek area of Sequoia National Park. Approximately 17,334 marijuana plants and 800 seedlings were seized by rangers from the cultivation sites - the largest seizure of marijuana plants from Sequoia National Park in connection with an indicted case and one of the largest seizures in the history of the National Park Service nationwide. “Large-scale marijuana production on public lands is a rapid growth industry which threatens precious natural resources,” said U.S. attorney McGregor Scott. “This year, more than 1.1 million marijuana plants were eradicated from public lands in California alone, with an estimated street value of $4.5 billion.” The defendants face a minimum prison sentence of ten years, a maximum term of life, and a fine of $4,000,000 per count. They were scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate for arraignment and pleas on the indictment on May 18th. [United States Attorney, Eastern District of California] Mount Rainier NP Three Searches For Overdue Parties In Ten Day Period Park staff conducted three search and rescue operations within days after the park reopened following a six-month closure due to flood damage: May 7th - Park staff and member of Pierce County Search and Rescue conducted a search for an overdue skier who failed to return as scheduled from a day trip to Lake Eleanor on May 7th. The skier, who'd been forced to overnight in the backcountry, was found in good condition. The IC for the search was Geoff Walker. May 15th - The Tahoma SAR occurred on Tuesday, May 15th, after a report was received of two overdue climbers on the west side of the park. The pair, who failed to register for their climb, began their trip on Friday, May 11th, and were expected out on Sunday by family members. As the search was mobilizing, the two climbers walked out on their own. Both were okay. The fact that they failed to register and provide critical trip information, combined with miscommunication with family members, caused the unnecessary search. They were issued mandatory appearance citations for not registering for a permit, which resulted in launching of two helicopters, mobilization of field teams and ramping up of the incident command system. Mike Gauthier was IC. May 17th - Search efforts were launched for two hikers who were overdue in the Longmire area on Thursday evening. A hasty search was conducted of trail corridors, as no information was available as to which trails they'd planned to hike. Both hikers were over 65 years old and had medical issues. Field teams searched the Rampart Ridge, Eagle Peak, Van Trump, and Wonderland trails until the early morning hours of Friday, May 18th, but found no signs of the hikers. Searchers resumed their efforts on Friday morning, assisted by six search dog teams. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the hikers arrived on their own at Longmire, having caught a ride at Kautz Creek. They had originally planned to hike Rampart Ridge, but took a wrong turn, forcing them to overnight on the trail. They then hiked out via Kautz Creek. Although unprepared to spend the night on the trail, they were in good health and spirits when greeted by family members and incident staff. Ed Dunlavey was the IC. Winter was hard on the park's trails, resulting in the loss of many trail bridges and in damage to park trails and backcountry campgrounds. The park trail crew, volunteers, and Student Conservation Corp members have started the long process of repairing the damage. For a link to the map of known trail damage and trail conditions, visit the Mount Rainier website at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/trails-and-backcountry-camp-conditions.htm" http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/trails-and-backcountry-camp-conditions.htm . [Patti Wold, Information Officer] Vicksburg NMP Artifact Looters Cause Extensive Damage At Monument On the morning of May 6th, resource program manager Virginia Dubowy was walking in the area of the Texas monument, located at the southern end of the park, when she came upon a slough of dirt at the base of the adjacent fortification. She soon realized that the area had been vandalized by looters. In addition to the extensive damage found at the fortification, over 90 holes were found at the site. The Texas Monument, dedicated in 1961, recently underwent preservation efforts at a cost of $45,000. The fortification, one of nine major defenses established during the Vicksburg campaign, was the only one penetrated by Union forces and is in original condition. The Southeastern Archeological Center (SEAC) assisted the park with the investigation and damage assessment. A preliminary estimate for damage is in the area of tens of thousands of dollars. Local and national media outlets have been contacted and a substantial reward has been posted through Crime Stoppers for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the violators. The investigation also found that a ground sensor, set along a trail off a side road, just outside the park boundary, was stolen as the violators swept their way though the park using metal detectors. [Patricia Montague, Supervisory Park Ranger] Vicksburg NMP Human Remains Found Along Railroad Redoubt Park staff were working along the historic Railroad Redoubt on May 13th as part of the investigation into the ARPA violation at the Texas Monument when they came upon the skeletal remains of an adult with an obvious head injury in what appeared to be a shallow grave. A crime scene investigation was begun in conjunction with Vicksburg PD, the Warren County Sheriff's Office, the Warren County Coroner's Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Thirty investigators who were attending an advanced crime scene management class at the Mississippi State Police Training Center were brought to the site to assist the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation in processing the scene. The ARPA investigation has been halted until this investigation has been completed. [Patricia Montague, Supervisory Park Ranger] OTHER NEWS The following stories can be read on either the InsideNPS web site (if you are within the National Park Service) or at the InsideNPS public ‘news digest' site (if you are outside of the NPS). The web sites appear below: Bryce Canyon NP - This month, the International Astronomical Union approved the naming of an asteroid after the park. Minor planet (asteroid) 49272 will now be known as “Bryce Canyon.” Everglades NP - The last of the three Robert Howards who worked at one time for the NPS - and all worked in Everglades at some point in time - has decided to retire. Bob (Robert J.) Howard's last day of work will be June 8th. To see the above articles, go to InsideNPS ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/) or NPS Digest ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/). For NPS incident reporting standards, go to HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-426-2430). --- ### --- |