NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

INCIDENTS

Jean Lafitte NHP&P

Search For Missing Colombian Dignitary Escalates

The search for Dr. F.P. in Barataria Preserve, a unit of the Jean Lafitte outside of New Orleans, escalated yesterday, the fourth day of the search. Operations have been challenging due to extremely hot and humid conditions and a terrain dominated by dense, tropical vegetation. A total of 111 people participated in search efforts on Tuesday, continuing to focus on a search area of approximately 2,000 acres. Teams on foot conducted a careful grid search, seven dog teams targeted areas of interest throughout the day, and other sections were covered by helicopter, airboat and off-road vehicles. The Intermountain All Hazard Incident Team (Rick Mossman, IC) is managing the incident for the National Park Service and is also part of a unified command established with the Jefferson Parrish Sherriff's Department. The NPS search effort has been supported by staff from twelve parks in twelve states and by the Jefferson and St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Departments, Louisiana Search and Rescue, the National Guard and New Orleans Fire Department. The search continues to produce local and international media interest. The incident management team is seeking experienced ground searchers for an assignment to the park. If you are interested and have confirmed your availability with your supervisor, please contact the EICC at Shenandoah and let them know. [Linda Friar, Incident Information Officer]

Bighorn Canyon NRA

Heavy Rains Cause Flooding, Some Damage

From two to four inches of rain have fallen on the Fort Smith and Hardin area of Montana since last Thursday. On Saturday, flash flooding was reported on Highway 313 and in Fort Smith. Flooding in St. Xavier, approximately 20 miles north of Fort Smith, washed out the road, closing off access to the area for approximately 48 hours. While power remained on, all telecommunications, with the exception of emergency radios, was lost for approximately 24 hours. Due to extreme runoff from local tributaries, the Bureau of Reclamation decreased outflows from the Bighorn River to relieve flooding, resulting in an increase of ten feet of water in Bighorn Lake and some minor damage to the marina and one park boat. Bighorn County (Montana) has been declared a state disaster area and the town of Crow Agency is currently under a state of emergency. All employees of Bighorn Canyon and Little Bighorn have been accounted for. Rain is expected to continue through today, with more high water expected. [Kevin Tillman, Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):

Rocky Mountain Parks - Heavy snows in the Rocky Mountains and associated snowmelt and slides are having direct or indirect impacts on several national parks and forests. All areas are open, but some delays and closures are reported.

Vicksburg NMP - The park is working with City of Vicksburg and Warren County, Mississippi, officials to provide an alternative route for emergency vehicles during the record-breaking Mississippi River flood. Photo.

New Orleans Jazz NHP - The park, working in partnership with the French Market Corporation of the City of New Orleans, hosted the second annual “Seeking Satch” contest on Sunday, May 15th. Photo.

Carlsbad Cavern NP - On May 14th, about 350 people attended the opening celebration of the new National Cave and Karst Research Institute headquarters building in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Photo.

Learning and Development Division - On June 3rd, Linda Wright will retire after 35 years with the National Park Service. Photo.

NPS Alumni - Dave Clark, who retired recently after 53 years of federal service, including a 50-year career with the National Park Service, has passed away.

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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of Communications and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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