NPS Visitor and Resource Protection
The Morning Report
Friday, February 10, 2012


INCIDENTS

Padre Island National Seashore (TX)
Man Pays Restitution For Car Fire That Burned Park Land

On the night of October 15th, a four-door Cadillac with two male occupants drove into the park. The driver lost control of his vehicle and the car went off of the roadway. The vehicle's catalytic converter caught the surrounding grassland on fire, which subsequently burned 7.7 acres of the park's grassland and the vehicle down to the frame. Rangers soon arrived on scene along with the local fire department, which put out the fire. Rangers interviewed the men and deemed them safe to be driven home by family members. During the course of the investigation, rangers used the park's entrance station video cameras to pinpoint the Cadillac's entry into the park. Rangers were also able to obtain surveillance footage from the drinking establishment where the two men had spent their time prior to entering the park. After compiling all of the evidence, the rangers took the information to the AUSA, who filed criminal information, which carried five federal charges, against the driver of the vehicle.  The rangers also filed a 19jj restitution charge against the driver. On January 23rd, the driver accepted a plea agreement and paid $5,141.82 restitution costs to the park.
[Submitted by Timothy Thompson, Supervisory Park Ranger]




Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Two Arrested For Felony Drug Distribution

Last month, protection rangers received information regarding the distribution of marijuana and cocaine within the park and contacted special agents with the Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation was begun that eventually included an undercover operation. That resulted in two arrests and the seizure of cocaine and cash.  Charges filed included drug distribution, conspiracy, child endangerment, and possession of a controlled substance.
[Submitted by Christopher Smith, Investigative Services Branch - Central]




OPERATIONAL NOTES

Office of Policy
Update On Recent Servicewide Policy Actions

Several important Servicewide policy documents have been issued recently, or are available for review and comment.

The following are recent NPS policy approvals made by Director Jarvis:

The following are available for review and comment:

[Submitted by Chick Fagan, chick_fagan@nps.gov, 202-345-1478]  More Information...


PARKS AND PEOPLE

Acadia National Park (ME)
GS-0025-11 Supervisory Park Ranger (Lateral)

Acadia National Park is seeking an experienced individual for a lateral transfer into the position of supervisory park ranger. To qualify for the lateral assignment, applicants must already have at least one year of GS-11 experience.

The selected employee will be responsible for managing two permanent GS-9 LE patrol rangers, four seasonal LE patrol rangers, and the LE, EMS, and SAR operations on Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Saint Croix Island IHS.  She/he will be a shift supervisor, responsible for all aspects of supervision and program management.  The position requires working nights on a rotating basis and weekends and holidays. 

As the senior LE officer, the person selected must exhibit a firm understanding of case law and be able to demonstrate independent decision making qualities. He/she will assist in the formulation of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures for the park's law enforcement program, and will formulate and recommend long- and short-range goals and plans for the law enforcement program.

In addition to the law enforcement program, the supervisor is responsible as lead on EMS and SAR incidents.  Status as a NREMT is required.  If the applicant does not already possess technical rope rescue skills, he/she must have the ability and interest to learn those skills and be able to perform at an independent level.

This position is located within the Division of Resource and Visitor Protection at Acadia National Park with a duty station at park headquarters in Bar Harbor, Maine. Acadia is located 50 miles southeast of Bangor, Maine and 240 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. The park boundary encompasses approximately 47,000 acres which pass through the jurisdiction of approximately 26 neighboring communities. The park is open to travel year round, and has an average annual visitation of approximately 2.4 million people, with the highest visitation occurring in July and August. The position is immediately supervised by the Chief Ranger.

Permanent change of station (PCS) moving costs are authorized.

To apply, send a resume and most recent SF-50 showing eligibility to Stuart_West@nps.gov by close of business February 28th.  

For more information, please call Stuart West, Chief Ranger, at 207-288-8770.




Intermountain Region
Lane Baker Named Superintendent Of Southeast Arizona Units

Lane Baker, a 25-year veteran of the federal government, has been named superintendent of the National Park Service's Southeast Arizona units -- Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. She will assume her new duties on March 25th.

"Lane brings a lifetime of law enforcement and partnership building experience to her new position and will be an asset for the NPS and the local communities," said Intermountain Region Director John Wessels, who announced her appointment.

"I am honored to take on this new assignment in the Intermountain Region with the Southeast Arizona Group," Baker said. "Overseeing our stewardship of these three unique and varied parks is an exciting opportunity. I am really looking forward to working with the parks' staffs and our NPS partners, as well as with state and federal agencies and all our local communities."

Baker now serves as chief of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services (LESES) at Park Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this position, she has provided national leadership and program direction in all aspects of law enforcement, security and emergency policy, including investigative services, professional responsibility, intelligence, stress management in critical incidents, firearms and commissioning of personnel. She manages a program with a budget of more than $10 million and about 60 employees. The program sets policy and standards for more than 1,500 protection rangers and special agents throughout the NPS.  

During her time in the Washington office, Baker revised and maintained the NPS law enforcement reference manual, updated the NPS continuation of operations plan, restructured protocols and procedures for emergency medical services, developed an all-hazards response plan, reorganized the Investigative Services Branch, and established a policy office for internal affairs. She oversaw major growth in NPS security and intelligence through partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Department of the Interior. A partnership with Georgetown University in Washington has built the NPS workforce by recruiting interns for the Washington office.  

In addition, LESES under Baker has partnered with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration for traffic safety projects in the parks, with the National Park Foundation for the Harry Yount ranger recognition award, and with the Center for Park Management to review and revamp the NPS's staffing tool for visitor and resource protection. Her division also has worked with the Department of Justice to fund a national victim assistance program, and with the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the National Marijuana Initiative to fight the illegal cultivation of pot on public lands.

Before joining the Washington office, Baker worked in a variety of field assignments. She was deputy chief ranger of Yellowstone National Park, district ranger at Old Faithful in Yellowstone, sub-district ranger at Everglades National Park, and supervisory ranger at Yosemite National Park. While at Yellowstone, she volunteered with the Gardiner, Montana, ambulance department. She also is a member of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in suburban Washington.

Baker, who has 25 years' experience in visitor and resource protection, taught high school biology and physical sciences in California public schools for five years before joining the NPS. She also coached softball and basketball.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in environmental biology from California Polytechnic State University and a master of science degree in biology from the University of the Pacific, both in Southern California.
[Submitted by Patricia Turley, patricia_turley@nps.gov, 303-969-2701]




Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Passing Of Mike Coogan

Michael Coogan, 57, assistant volunteer coordinator at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, at his home in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his two children, Jacqueline Coogan and Christopher Coogan; four siblings, John Coogan, Liz Coogan, Kevin Coogan and Barbara Coogan; and several nieces and nephews.

Mike was born in Bronx, New York, and has lived Pennsylvania since 2003. He served in the in the United States Army from 1974 to 1994, including tours in Germany, Korea and Desert Storm. After retiring from the military, Mike worked as a surveyor, and then joined the National Park Service in 2009.

During his three years at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Mike built the park's capacity to host volunteer projects. Volunteers often remarked about Mike's humor and ability to get things done. In addition to his primary duties, Mike willingly assisted other divisions, including maintenance and interpretation when needed, helping with custodial and water quality duties and assisting with special events. Away from the park, Mike enjoyed building models, scuba diving and being a dad.

Viewing hours will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, February 10th, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Cremation will take place following the viewing. Burial with military honors will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17th, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania.

Cards may be sent to Mike's family at: 120 Garris Place, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18302. The family requests that memorial remembrances be made to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 1 River Road, Bushkill, Pennsylvania 18324.


[Submitted by Carla Beasley, carla_beasley@nps.gov, 570 426-2413]




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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.