NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Friday, October 12, 2007

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INCIDENTS

Glen Canyon NRA

Update: Body Of Missing Three-Year-Old Found

The body of three-year-old K.B. was found by divers early yesterday afternoon in Lake Powell just off Bullfrog Marina. She had been the subject of an extensive search since she disappeared while playing with her four-year-old brother at the marina on October 8th. A land search and investigation into K.B.'s disappearance was conducted to rule out a possible abduction while park divers focused on the area of the lake near the marina. The park's underwater recovery team, led by Pat Horning, Kean Mihata and Jordan Barthold, was hampered by poor visibility and deep water (about 110 feet) in its first attempt to find her. Both search dogs brought in to assist hit on the surface area near the dock where she was playing, suggesting she was in that location. On October 9th, additional divers were brought in, and the park's remotely-operated underwater search vessel (ROV) was employed. On October 11th, state and county dive teams joined the effort and a second ROV with a tripod sonar device was brought in. Binks' body was found with the latter. The IC's were Chris Valdez and Jeff Kracht. [Lindy Mihata, Acting Chief Ranger]

Biscayne NP

Smaller Crowds, Fewer Incidents At Annual Boating Weekend

Enhanced law enforcement efforts and unsettled weather conditions resulted in fewer boaters participating in the 2007 Columbus Day Weekend gathering on Biscayne Bay, traditionally an event that results in many law enforcement and emergency incidents. The small craft warnings, gusting winds, choppy seas and intermittent rain squalls resulted in an estimated 50% fewer boaters on the water. Previous Columbus Day weekends have attracted from 3,000 to 5,000 boats carrying as many as 20,000 boaters. A coordinated effort by Miami Dade Police Department, Miami Dade Fire Rescue, Coral Gables Police Department, US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, City of Miami Police, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection agencies to promote responsible boating behavior and to protect lives, property and park resources was the focus for the weekend. Despite the reduced crowd, numerous complex incidents occurred:

Four police officers were assaulted by two individuals who were charged with felony assault on a police officer.

Approximately 20 boating under the influence arrests were made by the various enforcement agencies.

Five boats capsized due to overloading and rough seas. All the stranded individuals were rescued from the water by Miami Dade Police Department, Miami Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers in conjunction with the US Coast Guard helicopter crew.

Three other stranded individuals became separated from their boats and were returned safely to their vessels.

Three people were airlifted to area hospitals, including two who nearly drowned and one who suffered heart problems. Numerous other participants were treated for lacerations and bruises by Miami Dade Fire Rescue.

The park extends its thanks to the many federal, state and local agency staff who worked around the clock to help assure a safe weekend. [Susan Gonshor, Public Information Officer]

Yellowstone NP

Sex Offender Arrested And Indicted

When park dispatch conducted a routine wants and warrants check on a person on July 10th, the NCIC entry showed that the man was not wanted - but that he was a convicted sex offender who was required under state and federal law to register with local law enforcement authorities. Subsequent investigation revealed that he'd been convicted of a sex offense in California in 2001, that he was a concession employee residing in the park, and that he'd made no attempt to register with the park or any other nearby law enforcement agency. Investigators also found that he'd traveled to several states in recent years and worked at other locations outside California for extended periods of time without registering with any police department. A criminal complaint was accordingly filed against him for violation of 18 USC 2250(a) (failure to register as a sex offender) and a felony warrant was obtained. On July 19th, rangers arrested him. He subsequently appeared in magistrate's court and was ordered held pending indictment by US marshals. He was indicted in September and again ordered held pending trial or plea agreement. This was the second federal prosecution of an 18 USC 2250 violation in Wyoming since the law was enacted in 2006. [Brian Smith, Special Agent in Charge]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories (among others) 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 are, respectively, HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/ and ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/).

* Isle Royale NP - Scientists have now been studying the interactions and interdependence of wolves and moose at Isle Royale National Park for nearly half a century. As Wolf Awareness Week approaches, a consortium of educational, governmental and natural resources organizations has banded together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest continuous predator-prey study ever conducted.

* Isle Royale NP - Isle Royale National Park, known for its clear frigid waters and well-preserved historic shipwrecks, is the first NPS park dive program to develop and implement nitrox as the standard breathing gas for SCUBA operations.

* Alaska Region - Chuck Passek, regional chief ranger for Alaska Region, is retiring on October 29th following 29 years with the NPS.

* Training and Events Calendars - This week's editions include new entries for an NPS EMS conference at NCTC in January, CISM training at Yosemite and FY 2008 NPS Fundamentals courses.

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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828).

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