NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, June 16, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Denali NP&P
Search Underway For Overdue Backpackers
An air and ground search is currently underway for two missing backpackers - A.F., 25, from Craylord, Minnesota, and E.N., 23, from Las Vegas, Nevada. The two women were last seen on Thursday, June 12th, at the Savage River check station. They had obtained a wilderness permit earlier that day, and their itinerary called for a one-night backpacking trip and return on Friday. The park was notified that they were overdue on Saturday when they failed to report for work at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. The search is focused on the Savage River drainage north of the Denali park road, the most likely route that the pair would have utilized to access the Mount Healy wilderness unit that they had a permit for. Potential camping areas and other travel routes on Mount Healy and in the adjacent Primrose Ridge backcountry unit are also being investigated. Saturday's air search utilizing two helicopters and an airplane yielded no sign of the two women. Three teams of ground searchers were deployed on Sunday to investigate those heavily wooded and vegetated sections within the primary search area that can not be effectively searched with aircraft. The air search is continuing, utilizing the park's high-altitude Lama helicopter and a park airplane. Approximately 40 people were committed to the search effort yesterday. The two women are experienced trail hikers, but have had limited experience with Alaska backcountry conditions. Weather conditions have been mostly typical of the season, i.e. daytime highs in the 60s, with nighttime lows in the 40s, although Saturday was warmer. As part of the investigation supporting the search effort, search managers would like to speak with anyone who was hiking in the Savage River drainage between Thursday, June 12th, and Sunday, June 15th. Anyone who may have information to share is asked to call 907-683-9648. [Kris Fister, IO]
Midwest Region
Regional Floods Affect Several Parks
The heavy rains and flooding that have been reported in Iowa and elsewhere in the Midwest have had impacts on two parks, with others reporting no problems (as of last Friday, when the following was submitted):
George Rogers Clark NHP - This is the only park that is experiencing significant flooding. The park remains open and no critical park resources have been affected. The Wabash River, which borders the park, is 20 feet above flood stage. The river has breached a retaining wall, causing flooding in the park along the river's shoreline. About two of the park's 26 acres are currently underwater. The floodwater at the deepest point in the park is approximately four feet deep. About a fifth of the parking lot has collapsed into a sinkhole due to a sewer line break underneath the lot. The park has erected security barricades to keep visitors away from the flooded area. At the time of the report, the river had risen to 27.5 feet. It was expected to crest on Saturday around 28.5 feet.
Herbert Hoover NHS - The park is fully operational and providing normal visitor services, but is becoming more and more landlocked as roads and bridges are closed in all directions due to widespread flooding. Major traffic detours are reported on I-80 and I-380, and only local traffic is being allowed on most roads. Four or five employees have been affected by road closures and may not be able to get to work for several days. The park may provide office space for USGS employees today if their downtown Iowa City location loses power. Their job is particularly critical, as they are monitoring area stream gauges. The park will provide them with working space and internet access.
Effigy Mounds NM - The park remains open; there have been no impacts on visitor services or infrastructure. The Mississippi River is at spring flood stage, but operations have not been affected other than delaying plans for park maintenance projects. The park has experienced some trail washouts and minor loss of trees.
Lincoln Boyhood NM - The park is open with no flooding.
Additional reports will be posted as they are received. [Jackie Henman, Regional Law Enforcement Specialist]
Timpanogos Cave NM
Man Shoots Himself In Park
A 47-year-old man called the Utah County Sheriff's Office from the park visitor center pay phone at 6:45 a.m. on June 10th and said that he was going to shoot himself. He provided detailed information on where his body could be found. Visitors reported hearing a gunshot shortly thereafter. County deputies arrived in the park within 15 minutes of receiving the call and found the man's body. [Michael Gosse, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6595" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6595
DSC - Mark Tabor, project manager and landscape architect at the Denver Service Center, has accepted a position as the assistant director of park planning and construction with the city of Denver.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1958" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1958
Heritage Preservation Assistance - Martha Raymond has been named the national coordinator for heritage areas, providing budget, legislative and policy support to the 40 congressionally designated heritage areas.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1953" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1953
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
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 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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