NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Friday, October 31, 2008

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INCIDENTS

Blue Ridge Parkway

Motorcycle Safety Checkpoint Conducted

On Sunday, October 19th, rangers from the Highlands District and county deputies conducted a motorcycle checkpoint in the park. This was another in a series of educational and enforcement activities designed to reduce motor vehicle accidents on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The checkpoint focused on providing a positive safety message, along with printed materials and "Enjoy the View, Watch the Road" key chains. Just over 100 motorcycles came through the checkpoint, which lasted for two-and-a-half hours. Some violations were detected, including seven license and registration infractions, one weapons violation, one arrest for felony level cocaine possession, and eleven motorcycle helmet safety violations. Outreach in the community was conducted prior to the operation and the majority of riders voiced support for it. This operation built on the success of a similar USPP checkpoint conducted by District 2 Station in Washington. USPP Lt. Art Jacobsen provide valuable assistance in the planning of the operation. Ranger Bruce Gagnon oversaw the operation. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

Among the stories in today's edition are the following:

Point Reyes NS - The Giacomini Wetlands were created this past Sunday by flooding 560 acres of former pasture lands that had been diked for over 60 years. Almost immediately, shorebirds, geese, harbor seals, egrets, and herons began using the newly restored wetlands.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7047" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7047

Carlsbad Caverns NP - On Saturday, October 24th, Carlsbad Caverns National Park celebrated its 85th birthday with a ribbon cutting and ceremonial opening of the park's newly renovated visitor center.

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=7046" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=7046

Intermountain Region - Chuck Hunt, superintendent of Fort Davis National Historic Site, has accepted a position with the American Battle Monuments Commission as director of visitor services at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer in northern France.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2122" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2122

Training Calendar - A listing of upcoming training courses offered by the NPS and its partners across the nation. Added to today's listing are four EMS courses (ALS, EMT, Wilderness First Responder) at or near Great Smoky Mountains NP, a COR/COTR refresher at the same park, and some on-line training courses in off-highway vehicle management.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=775" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=775

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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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