NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Vicksburg NMP
Park Damaged By High Winds
Two tornadoes, along with high velocity straight-line winds exceeding those experienced during Hurricane Katrina, blew through Warren County just before noon on Friday, April 4th. The tornadoes passed by the park on either side, but straight-line winds over 80 mph struck it with full force. Staff immediately closed the park tour road and escorted visitors through the only open portion leading out of the park. This necessitated travel in the opposite direction along the one-way road. Two crews were then assembled to remove approximately 20 trees that had fallen across the road, which was reopened at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Damage assessments continue. So far, staff have discovered that two roofs suffered minor damage and that railings on the park's longest bridge were bent. Fortunately, Federal Highways staff are in the park this week and are assisting with plans for repairing the railings. [Monika Mayr, Superintendent]
Lake Mead NRA
Felony Indictments For Assault And Robbery
On March 27th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona, indicted six people on two felony counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two felony counts of robbery in a case that originated at Lake Mead. On February 24th, park rangers and special agents arrested them after two men reported that they'd been assaulted and robbed on a beach near Kingman Wash on the Arizona side of the lake. Both men suffered serious head and facial trauma, as well as numerous other injuries, and were taken to a hospital. A crime scene investigation by rangers and agents led to the discovery of large amounts of blood on the rocks and dirt in the campsite area. Each of the six arrested had blood on his clothing and hands; each had more than $500 in cash, with blood visible on several of the bills. Three of the suspects have been identified as being affiliated with a white supremacist gang in Las Vegas. Special agents continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in ongoing gang investigations. [Kristy J. McGee, Special Agent]
Grand Canyon NP
Taser Used On Drunk And Abusive Wrangler
On Thursday, April 3rd, the ranger working at Phantom responded to calls for assistance from the Phantom Ranch staff, who were dealing with a drunken wrangler at the ranch canteen who was being both verbally and physically abusive. The ranger used her taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. Providing her with backup proved a challenge. Phantom is 5,000 feet below the canyon rim and accessible only by foot, mule or helicopter. Since it was almost dark, the park helicopter could not respond. Lack of moonlight also meant that a Department of Public Safety helicopter equipped with night vision goggles was also unable to fly. Two rangers therefore had to hike down the seven-and-a-half-mile long trail to support the ranger during the wrangler's overnight custody. While waiting the two hours for backup to arrive and still managing the belligerent wrangler, the ranger also had to take care of a 14-year-old girl who had suffered second and third degree burns at the Phantom campground. The burned girl and the wrangler were flown out on the first two park helicopter flights the next morning. [John Evans, Park Ranger]
Delaware Water Gap NRA
Divers Join Search For Missing Fishermen
Improving conditions in the Delaware River made it possible to begin dive operations Tuesday in the ongoing search for T.P. and R.S., who've been missing since their boat capsized within the park last Thursday. Those efforts continued on Wednesday, concentrating on areas identified by a search dog as points of interest. Six divers from the National Park Service dive team participated in Tuesday's operation, with support from the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Unit. Divers completed 18 dives in the target areas, with each dive lasting about 25 minutes. Visibility in the water was about six feet, but the cold water, swift current and underwater obstructions, including trees and boulders, added to the complexity of the search. Rangers also continued to search the river banks and islands in an effort to find the missing men. New Jersey State Police Aviation Bureau provided aerial support. Divers will continue the underwater operation as long as search conditions are favorable. The river level continues to drop, although the current remains swift and the water temperature is in the low 40s. About 20 people were committed to the search effort yesterday. [Deb Nordeen, Public Affairs Officer]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
Lake Superior Basin Parks - Apostle Islands NL and Pictured Rocks NL have issued several emergency restrictions to protect park fish from viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Other Lake Superior parks will soon follow with similar restrictions.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6381" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6381
Facility Management Division - The Washington Office is now collecting information from parks about the amount of lead released at outdoor firing ranges, lead recycling, and the use of non-leaded (“green”) ammunition for calendar year 2007.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6373" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6373
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance - Four RTCA program staff have been honored by their peers for professional excellence - Helen Mahan, Corita Waters, Dan Miller and Cherri Espersen.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1880" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1880
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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).
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