NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Denali NP&P
Search Expands For Two Missing Backpackers
The combined efforts of eleven ground teams and four aircraft on Tuesday failed to produce any new clues on the location of missing backpackers A.F. and E.N. The teams were tasked with more thoroughly investigating specific segments within the search area - those sections that search managers felt were the most likely areas where they might be found. More than 60 people were involved in yesterday's search effort, including more than 40 air and ground searchers and the overhead personnel who provide support and assistance to them. Five new teams will be utilized in Wednesday's efforts in addition to the teams currently committed to the operation. They include a team from the Anchorage based Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and search and rescue teams from Grand Teton, Mount Rainier, Sequoia-Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Two fresh dog teams from the Alaska Search and Rescue Dog organization in Anchorage will replace the PAWS teams from Fairbanks in today's operation. The additional staffing will allow search managers to increase the size of the teams in high priority segments, thereby making it possible for them to search more thoroughly. Searchers will be placed on the ground for the first time in some higher elevations of the search area that have previously only been searched by air. These segments have steep, rocky and snow-covered sections. A total of 105 people will be assigned to Wednesday's operations along with up to five helicopters and a park airplane. The park's high-altitude Lama helicopter is available, but will be needed for a medical evacuation from the 14,200-foot camp on Mount McKinley as soon as weather conditions allow. During the past two days, helicopters assigned to the search have been temporarily diverted to assist with two medical incidents in the park. On Monday, June 16th, an incident helicopter was needed to transport a 54-year-old man experiencing medical problems from the Eielson Visitor Center to the park airstrip, where he was taken by ambulance to the Canyon Clinic. Another helicopter was needed yesterday to evacuate a 53-year-old man who had a possible broken leg two miles up the trail on Mount Healy. He was flown to the Healy airstrip and transported to the Tri-Valley Clinic. National Park Service 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]
Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services
Protection Ranger Indicted For Theft Of Public Money
On Thursday, May 29th, law enforcement ranger R.D. turned himself in to NPS special agents and United States marshals after being indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of Title 18 United States Code §641, theft of public money. According to the indictment, on or about August 31, 2007, R.D. willfully and knowingly did receive, conceal and retain stolen property of the United States totaling $9,000. Future criminal proceedings are pending. The investigation was conducted by the Service's Office of Professional Responsibility with assistance from the Investigative Services Branch after receiving information from a private citizen. R.D. has over 25 years of federal service, most of it served as a law enforcement officer for the National Park Service. He is currently a staff ranger in National Capital Regional Office. The National Park Service strives to uphold the agency's mission, as was emphasized by Director Bomar when she reminded all employees in a memorandum (November 8, 2007) that it “is important that each of us consider the principles of ethical conduct as the foundation for every action we consider.” [Russ Roy, Special Agent in Charge]
Big Bend NP
Bodies Of Three Mexican Nationals Found In Park
On June 5th, rangers received a visitor report through 911 of a body off the side of Old Ore Road, an isolated dirt road located in the northeast portion of the park. Rangers and Border Patrol agents responded and confirmed the report. The park has experienced triple digit temperatures for over a month, making any cross country desert travel or search extremely hazardous. Rangers conducted interviews with individuals living in the border town of Boquillas, Mexico, adjacent to the park. They obtained tentative identification of a man matching the description of the deceased along with information that he crossed into the U.S. with two others on May 30th. Backtracking further from the location where the first individual was located, rangers found a second body on June 9th. The systematic search of the 30-mile-long suspected travel route of the three individuals concluded on June 16th with the discovery of the body of the third person on an abandoned road near Telephone Canyon. Three backpacks were also found nearby. Identification of at least one of the victims was found within a pack. The bodies were transported to El Paso for autopsies and positive identification. Because the deceased were citizens of Mexico, park officials are in contact with a Mexican consulate office. Rangers continue to interview relatives in the U.S. and Mexico by phone for information to assist with identification. Additional information was received concerning others who may have entered the U.S. through the park and failed to arrive on schedule at their intended destinations. [Mark Spier, Chief Ranger]
Midwest Region
Update On Impacts Of Midwestern Floods
An update has been received from those parks located along significant rivers within the region:
Mississippi NR&RA - Although the river is running at high flow, there's been no flooding in the park. None is likely in the future, based on current forecasts.
Jefferson NEM - The Mississippi has flooded the first five steps of the Grand Staircase. The park can only be accessed from the west, as the river's high flow prevents access from Laclede's Landing. Visitor services on the main grounds of the Arch have not been affected. The interpretive outreach program in which NPS interpreters accompany riverboats to give talks has been temporarily halted because the riverboats are not operating due to the high water.
George Rogers Clark NHP - This was the only park in Midwest Region to report significant flooding. The river has retreated from the park and left minor amounts of standing water behind. Visitor services have not been affected. The primary damage caused by the flood was a sinkhole in the parking lot which has now been stabilized. The sinkhole was caused by a damaged water pipe. The park is waiting to repair the sinkhole until they are sure the underlying water pipe has been repaired or replaced. There is a possibility that one statue near the riverfront may have slipped some; it's being checked. The park maintenance staff will be able to handle the clean-up of debris.
Effigy Mounds NM - The park reports that one of its mound sites, Sny Magill and a nearby boat ramp, are temporarily inaccessible due to high water. This area is typically inaccessible each spring during run-off, but the annual high water surge had subsided until the recent storms, which have once again caused this area to be closed. Visitors can still travel to the main units of the park and access all mound sites there.
[Jackie Henman, RLES, MWRO, with reports from the four parks]
Glen Canyon NRA
Teenager Drowns In Farley Canyon
A 17-year-old boy drowned in Farley Canyon while swimming with family and friends on the afternoon of Sunday, June 15th. A group of family and friends were celebrating Father's Day in Farley Canyon, a remote location within the park, when the accident occurred. D.B. was swimming with a 14-year-old friend across the lake to the canyon's far shore, approximately 100 yards away, when he began to experience difficulty about 35 yards from shore. He began flailing in the water and yelling for help to the nearby friend. The friend tried to help him, but was being submerged in the water by D.B., who was trying to climb up onto him. The friend was able to break away and attempted to instruct D.B. to turn on his back without success. Meanwhile, other family members began swimming towards D.B., but he went under the water and did not resurface before they could reach him. According to family members, no one had ever seen D.B. swim before. He was not wearing a life jacket. Neither drugs nor alcohol nor foul play are suspected. Park divers Jordan Barthold and Pat Horning recovered D.B.'s body the next day at a depth of 19 feet. The incident commander was Brett Timm. [Linday Mihata, Law Enforcement Specialist]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
San Juan NHS - Children from seven different public schools in Puerto Rico gathered at Castillo San Felipe del Morro in late May to learn about nature and the national parks through activities that engaged children with resources.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6603" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6603
In The Media - A weekly summary of news stories about or of consequence to the NPS, including links to the articles.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6602" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6602
Geologic Resources Division - On June 9th, David Steensen started his new job as the chief of the Geologic Resources Division in Denver, Colorado.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1962" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1962
Glen Canyon NRA - Firefighters from the park and the city of Page were honored in a ceremony last month for saving the life of a concession employee during a concession dorm fire in April.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1961" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1961
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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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