Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Five Killed
In Tour Helicopter Crash
A tour helicopter operated by Sundance Helicopters crashed just
before 5 p.m. yesterday on the western side of the River Mountains
within the park. All five people on board were killed. The National Park
Service, Las Vegas Metro Police, Clark County Fire and Henderson Fire
responded to the initial call. The helicopter was on a tour flight from
McCarran International Airport to Hoover Dam and crashed along a normal
route take by tour helicopters. Investigators from the National
Transportation Safety Board are due to arrive on scene today. The
identities of the deceased will not be released until the remains have
been recovered and next of kin have been notified. Updates will be
available on the park's Twitter site at http://www.twitter.com/
lakemeadnra. A map showing the location of the crash site can be
found at http://binged.it/s2JMKi.
Operations will resume this morning; the first incident will be posted
at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
[Submitted by Andrew S. Mu—oz, Public
Affairs]
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Body Of Third Waterfall Victim Found
A body found in the Merced River last Saturday about 120 yards below
the Vernal Fall footbridge has been positively identified as that of
21-year-old R.B., who was swept over the 317-foot-high waterfall
last July 19th along with H.D., 22, and N.Y., 27.
H.D.'s body was found on August 5th and N.Y.'s was recovered on
November 29th. The three victims were visiting the park with family and
friends when they entered the water above Vernal Fall, approximately 25
feet from the precipice. Witnesses reported that several people urged
them to step back from the river, since it was flowing swiftly and was
extremely cold. The area is signed as a dangerous area, and the trio had
crossed a metal guardrail placed there to keep visitors away from the
dangerous, fast-moving water. Park staff and personnel from several
other agencies had been searching for the bodies since July. Fluctuating
water levels in the Merced River, changing weather conditions, and
treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging
search. However, with low water levels in the Merced River and dry
weather, rangers were able to access areas within the river corridor
that were previously impossible to search.
[Submitted by Scott
Gediman and Kari Cobb]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs
GS-0301-9/11 Legislative Researcher (Detail)
The Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs is offering a 60- to 90-day detail opportunity for the position of legislative researcher. The person in this position is responsible for a wide range of legislative and administrative duties, such as maintaining legislative databases and files, conducting legislative research, drafting the weekly legislative activity report, fielding calls from congressional offices, and tracking the office budget. This opportunity is open to employees in the Washington, D.C. commuting area.
This detail would be a good developmental opportunity for a versatile employee who is interested in learning more about the legislative process and the interaction between the National Park Service and Congress. The office is looking for an employee to start in late January.
Employees who would like to be considered for this detail should, after checking with their supervisors, send a short cover letter and resume to Don Hellmann, Assistant Director, Legislative and Congressional Affairs (don_hellmann@nps.gov ).
Southeast Region
Nancy Walther Becomes Superintendent Of Kennesaw Mountain
Nancy Walther has been selected as the new superintendent of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. She took over her new post in early November.
"We are very pleased to have Nancy accept the responsibility of leading Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park," said Regional Director David Vela. "She will do a great job of managing this important historic site that preserves a significant piece of American history. Her nine years of experience with the National Park Service in metro Atlanta will be a great asset for her as she works with the surrounding community that also values the park as a green space resource."
Walther began her career with the National Park Service in 1992 as a living history interpretive ranger at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. After her first season there, she was promoted to supervisor of the interpretive program in the lower district of the park, which receives one million visitors per year. In 1996, after the park was devastated by two major floods, Walther became the park's volunteer coordinator. In two years she coordinated more than 390 projects and engaged 7,600 volunteers who gave more than 30,000 hours to assist with the rebuilding of the park. Her position grew to include partnership work with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and other private entities.
In 2002, Walther moved to Atlanta and became the chief of resource education at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, where she managed the park's education, interpretation, and fee programs. Under her leadership, Chattahoochee's fee program grossed $730,000 in FY 2011.
In 2008, Walther served as the acting superintendent for Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park for four months.
She holds a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, and leisure studies from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She is a native of Northern Virginia and currently lives in Marietta, Georgia, with her husband, Dan, and her 16-year old step-daughter, Jessica. She spends her personal time canoeing, biking, hiking, and gardening.
[Submitted by Bill Reynolds]
Learning and Development Division
Clarenda Drake Is Retiring
On December 31st, the National Park Service will bid a fond professional farewell to Clarenda Drake, superintendent of the Capital Area Training Center, who retires after 39 years of dedicated service and leadership.
Clarenda's career path was marked by many firsts, as she broke ground in areas of diversity in numerous positions and at various locations in the National Park System.
She began her NPS career in 1972 as the first African American female to work in a non-maintenance position at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, working as a park aide in the Fort Raleigh library. Clarenda became site manager of the Children's Museums the following season, where she compiled, printed and distributed the park's first special events kiosk brochure. She soon transitioned from the interpretation, recreation and visitor services division to a position as a park technician, overseeing the newly constructed entrance station.
Growing up on the Outer Banks of Manteo in rural Dare County, North Carolina, Clarenda was the first in her family to obtain a college degree, and she taught school for a brief period upon graduating from Elizabeth City State University. She soon resumed her NPS career, however, by accepting a one-year term appointment as an interpretive ranger at Cape Hatteras, which resulted in an offer of a permanent position as an environmental education specialist.
In lieu of that assignment, Clarenda decided to accept an upward mobility position in concessions management in National Capital Region. She stayed with NCR's concessions office until she reached the full potential, GS-11 status of the position, and then transferred to National Capital Parks-East as the concessions management specialist for the park in 1982.
Over the years, she held several acting positions in the park, including: acting chief of concessions, acting chief of interpretation, acting deputy superintendent, and acting superintendent. She held the position of chief of interpretation for National Capital Parks-East for five years before becoming superintendent of the Capital Area Training Center in April of 2003.
During her tenure as superintendent of the center, Clarenda frequently served as acting chief for the Division of Learning and Development.
Always active in her church, Clarenda plans to continue serving the New Vision Fellowship Church community after her retirement in myriad activities, including singing with the Praise and Worship Team, delivering the church announcements at the Sunday morning service, substitute teaching for the adult Sunday school class, ushering, and making gift bags for church visitors. Additionally, retirement will allow Clarenda ample time to spend more time with her family in North Carolina, where she also maintains a home.
If you would help us send Clarenda off in style to this next exciting phase of her rich life, please join us at the Capital Training Center on the 2nd floor at 1201 Eye St., on Wednesday, December 14th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. We will be sharing refreshments and memories with Clarenda on this memorable occasion.
[Submitted by Kathy Hanson]
NPS serious incident submission standards can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=45&id;=8728&lv;=2&pgid;=3504
All reports should now be submitted via this automated system.