Assateague Island |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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February 18, 1987 Location: 4.5 miles south of parking lot #2 Mr. M.U.'s body was found washed ashore on the beach by the park's district ranger. The victim had been the subject of an intensive search after her vehicle had been found unattended in parking lot #2 on February 11th. A check with her family and doctor revealed that she was suicidal. A search had been conducted but suspended on February 14th. Indications are that the death was a suicide by drowning.
Location: shoreline Recent heavy storm surf and winds have caused three sailboats to run aground at Assateague Island this week. Earlier in the week a 42-foot sloop grounded on the north end but was able to refloat the following day. On 4/30 a 42-foot ocean racer grounded, again on the northern portion of the island. During the night, a 43-foot ocean sailor ran onto the shoals off Tom's Cove, the southern end of the island. Today salvage companies are on scene attempting to remove the northern boat overland. A salvor is also at the south end of the park, attempting to float that boat. No injuries, no serious damage incurred.
Location: Bayberry Drive A vehicle driven by R.B., address unknown, ran into another vehicle driven by a park lifeguard. There was only minor damage to the two vehicles, but R.B. was found passed out at the wheel of his car. He was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), and an unspecified quantity of the drug PCP was confiscated from his vehicle. The park will be prosecuting him on DOT charges; Worcester County will prosecute R.B. for possession of drugs with intent to distribute.
Location: North Guarded Beach An NPS lifeguard discovered four barnacle covered 5" ordinance shells on the guarded beach in the park. One shell still contained a fuse, the others were too badly corroded to determine if they still contained fuses. The beach was closed and the Army Emergency Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team from Ft. Meade was called in. The EOD team removed the shells last night and took them to Ft. Meade for disposal. There is some possibility that this area was used as a Naval gunnery range or ordinance dumping ground during World War II. It is believed that the shells may have washed up from a deep hole just off shore. Attempts are being made today to contact a Navy EOD team to do a sweep of the offshore area for any additional shells.
On July 31st, a ranger responded to a report of gunshots in the dunes at Assateague Island. The ranger contacted D.I., 18, of Pasadena, Maryland near the north campground. During a search of D.I. the ranger discovered a handgun and a number of credit cards; none of the cards were in D.I.'s name. At about this time the rangers began to receive reports of car clouts from campers in the campground. Further investigation revealed that the handgun and credit cards had all been stolen in larcenies in the campground. D.I. was arrested and a variety of Federal and State charges are pending.
Location: Ocean City Inlet Over the weekend of July 29 - July 31, rangers from Assateague Island took part in drug interdiction operations in cooperation with U.S. Coast Guard, Customs, DEA, Maryland Marine Police and Worcester County officers. The effort, called Operation Manatee, consisted of a blockade of Ocean City Inlet using two Coast Guard cutters and four patrol boats with rangers serving as boarding team members. Boardings were limited to vessels greater than 25' in length, with approximately 150 vessels boarded during the weekend. No large drug seizures were made although numerous Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charges were filled. Monday, August 14, 1989 At 8 a.m. on the 10th, a relative of a park staff member who works in an Ocean City hotel advised the park that tarballs were washing up on beaches in the area, and said that they were being raked under the city's beaches. The Coast Guard confirmed that tarballs were appearing on beaches from Rehoboth in Delaware to Ocean City in Maryland - a stretch of about ten miles. Although the tarballs were thick and half-dollar-sized in Ocean City, those that first appeared along a five-mile stretch of the seashore from the McCabe House to the first dune crossing were much smaller. They were in a foot-wide band along the high tide line at a density of about 30 to 50 pieces per square foot. This area, which includes two miles of state park land, is south of the nesting area of the endangered piping plover. After high tide that day, only a very small amount of oil remained on the beach, but more oil washed in on Friday. Surveys by rangers determined that the tarballs extended south of the Virginia state line into Chincoteague NWR, but most of the tar washed off the Assateague beaches with tides later in the day. The park is working on clean-up with the Coast Guard, a contractor, and two Maryland agencies - State Parks and the Department of Environment. Ocean City has begun cleaning up tar along city beaches and is recovering an average of seven to eight tons of tarred sand per city block; they're working an area 47 blocks long. (Roger Rector, Superintendent, and Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASSA, via CompuServe message from Kathy Jope, RAD/MARO).
By late on the evening of the 11th, only three or four patches of oil remained along the seashore's beaches. The Coast Guard brought clean-up crews in the next morning; they found a small amount of oil and cleaned it up. No oil was found on the beaches on Sunday. (Brion FitzGerald, CR, ASIS, via CompuServe message from Kathy Jope, RAD/MARO).
The following is a brief summary of the impacts of Hurricane Hugo on several eastern parks as of Friday afternoon: - Assateague Island - The superintendent closed the park to off-road vehicle and backcountry use on Friday due to high water. The restrictions were to be lifted on Saturday. The visitor center was also closed for the day.
B.R. of Chincoteague was last seen in the park near a hunting lodge on Chincoteague Bay at about 2:00 a.m. on November 25th. A search for him was begun later that day; rangers, Coast Guardsmen, Virginia natural resource police and volunteers participated in the effort. B.R.'s body was discovered floating in the bay early on the morning of the 26th. The cause of death is being investigated. (Gary Hartley, Acting CR, ASIS, via CompuServe message from Ginny Paci, RAD/MARO, 11/26).
W.R.R., Jr., 29, of Chincoteague, Virginia, apparently drowned after his small boat capsized in Assateague Bay, which is located within the Toms Cove District of the park. Rose was apparently returning to his vehicle from a hunting club when the accident occurred. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor. (Mel 01 sen, DR, ASIS, via CompuServe message from Ginny Paci, RAD/MARO, 11/27).
Park rangers and lifeguards responded to a call for help from the protected beach in the Toms Cove district on the morning of the 24th and found two visitors carrying T.B., 27, of New York City, up from the water's edge. T.B. was unconscious, was not breathing, and had no pulse. Lifeguards two of whom were CPR instructors began attempts to resuscitate him, and were twice able to restore Budner's pulse and breathing. He was transferred to an ambulance and taken to a medical center in Chincoteague for advanced cardiac life support until a medevac helicopter could fly him to Peninsula General Hospital. T.B. was pronounced dead at the hospital early that afternoon. Rescue efforts were complicated by the fact that T.B. began experiencing seizures during CPR, and it was later learned that those were related to brain damage suffered in an earlier incident. An investigation into the incident is underway. [CompuServe message from Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 7/26]
NPS-administered seashores along the East coast from North Carolina to Massachusetts have prepared or are preparing for potential impacts from Hurricane Bob. The following reports summarize the scope and nature of activities as of yesterday evening: * Assateague Island (Maryland/Virginia) - All areas of the park were being closed yesterday afternoon, and all visitors and employees were to be evacuated by 7:30 p.m., including seasonals residing at both ends of the park. Park facilities were being secured. Further updates on Hurricane Bob's impacts will appear in Tuesday's morning report. [Telephone conversations on 8/18 with Bill Harris, CALO; Alan Whalon, ASIS; Bob Woody, CAHA; Frank Mills, Sandy Hook, GATE; Don Weir, FIIS; Andy Ringgold, CACO telephone reports on 8/19 from Mary Moran, CAHA, and Bill Munsey, CALO, via Bill Sturgeon, RAD/SERO]
Preliminary reports on the effects of Hurricane Bob on a number of eastern parks have been received. Further reports will appear once damage assessments have been completed and phone service has been restored: * Assateague Island (Virginia/Maryland) - All visitors were evacuated from the island by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. As of early yesterday morning, it appeared that the hurricane had caused only minor damage to the island, and that there was little if any beach loss.
The severe storm off the North Atlantic coast has had a major impact on several NPS areas: Assateague Island NS The park reports that water has been rising rapidly and that the ocean is overwashing and breaching the island at several points. ORV zones have been closed and will remain closed for at least a week. Some roads have been closed as well. The campgrounds appear to be okay at present, but park boardwalks are starting to go. High tide will occur at 2:00 p.m. and more damage is expected.
The following updates have been received from East Coast parks within the last hour regarding the impacts of the offshore storm. Reports have also been received from Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout. Parks not included in this summary had no significant updates to information presented this morning. A storm surge and waves higher than those previously predicted were occurring along the New Jersey and New York shorelines, and significant damage is therefore expected at parks in those areas. An updated report will be prepared this evening and tomorrow morning and distributed before 8:00 a.m. through the Morning Report. Assateague Island NS The park reports that the ocean has overwashed and breached the island at numerous points and has reclaimed much of the dune line along with several hundred feet of boardwalk at Sinepuxent and Tom's Cove. The hook at Tom's Cove has been closed, and the old Coast Guard station on it has been evacuated because the road and power lines leading to the building are being washed away. There have been no impacts to visitor facilities yet, but some water damage to the McCabe House and associated boat house are anticipated as the protecting dune that was in front of the buildings is now gone. ORV zones have been closed and will remain closed for at least a week. Some roads have been closed as well. Overflights of the park are being made this afternoon in order to more fully assess the storm's impacts.
Virtually all park staffs report that they are still fully involved in making assessments of the scope and nature of damages incurred as a result of the storm and that these will not be completed until early next week. The following information is supplemental to that which appeared in yesterday's briefings and today's morning report. It is worth noting, however, that we have received no reports of employee or visitor injuries from any area. Assateague Island NS There was heavy flooding on both the ocean and bay sides along the entire 37- mile length of the park due to extremely high tides combined with winds. Large sections of the island were overwashed and eroded, and damage to park developments appears to be extensive. At this time, the staff reports that about 75% of the primary dune line in the off-road vehicle zone has been washed away along with numerous signs and miles of post and cable. There are numerous washovers and dune breaks in the developed portion of the seashore in both Maryland and Virginia which will require extensive restoration work. Two beach parking areas in Virginia have filled with from three to five feet of sand, and a drain field for the bathhouse in Maryland was flooded by overwash. Residents in three NPS quarters on the island were evacuated yesterday as rising tides surrounded the houses; fortunately, the tide stopped just short of entering the quarters themselves and there was no damage to personal belongings. The dune line in front of the McCabe house, a primary source of seasonal housing, was completely eroded and about a foot of water filled certain portions of the basement. The house is now open to the full force of future winter storms. Damage and disruption to on-going research and resource management activities is a certainty, but the full extent will take months to determine. The park staff plans on spending the next several days evaluating management options for repair and restoration activities and will be meeting on Wednesday to set a course of action. In the interim, the ORV zones and backcountry camping areas are closed; day-use and developed campgrounds, however, are operating as usual.
The severe storm off the North Atlantic coast has had a major impact on NPS areas all along the Eastern seaboard. The following information was compiled from preliminary reports received yesterday and early today; fuller reports will appear as soon as park staffs are able to complete assessments of damages inflicted on their areas. * Assateague Island (Maryland/Virginia) - The park reports that the ocean overwashed and breached the island at numerous points. The ocean has reclaimed much of the dune line, along with several hundred feet of boardwalk at Sinepuxent and Tom's Cove. The hook at Tom's Cove has been closed, and the old Coast Guard station on it has been evacuated because the road and power lines leading to the building are being washed away. There have been no impacts to visitor facilities yet, but some water damage to the McCabe House and associated boat house are anticipated as the protecting dune that was in front of the buildings is now gone. ORV zones have been closed and will remain closed for at least a week. Some roads have been closed as well. The campgrounds appear to be okay at present. Overflights of the park were being made yesterday afternoon to fully assess the storm's impacts.
Virtually all park staffs report that they are still fully involved in making assessments of the scope and nature of damages incurred as a result of the storm and that these will not be completed until later this week. The following reports provide updates on the situation in affected parks as of early Friday afternoon. Although serious damage has occurred in several areas, it is worth nothing that no reports of employee or visitor injuries have been received from any areas. * Assateague Island (Maryland/Virginia) - Serious flooding occurred on both the ocean and bay sides along the entire 37-mile length of the park due to extremely high tides combined with winds. Large sections of the island were overwashed and eroded, and damage to park developments appears to be extensive. At this time, the staff reports that about 75% of the primary dune line in the off-road vehicle zone has been washed away along with numerous signs and miles of post and cable. There are numerous washovers and dune breaks in the developed portion of the seashore in both Maryland and Virginia which will require extensive restoration work. Two beach parking areas in Virginia have filled with from three to five feet of sand, and a drain field for a bathhouse in Maryland was flooded by overwash. Residents in three NPS quarters on the island were evacuated yesterday as rising tides surrounded the houses; fortunately, the tide stopped just short of entering the quarters themselves and there was no damage to personal belongings. The dune line in front of the McCabe house, a primary source of seasonal housing, was completely eroded and about a foot of water filled certain portions of the basement. The house is now open to the full force of future winter storms. Damage and disruption to on-going research and resource management activities is a certainty, but the full extent will take months to determine. The park staff plans on spending the next several days evaluating management options for repair and restoration activities and will be meeting on Wednesday to set a course of action. In the interim, the ORV zones and backcountry camping areas are closed; day-use and developed campgrounds, however, are operating as usual. [Summaries to date compiled from telephone and telefaxed reports from John Lynch, RAD/NARO; Dennis Burnett and Bill Hooper, CACO; Don Weir and Jack Hauptman, FIIS; Kevin McMurry and Jim Reinhart, GATE; Brion Fitzgerald and Alan Whalon, ASIS; Larry Roush, CAHA; Chuck Harris, CALO; Bill Springer, RAD/SERO]
During the evening of January 3rd and the morning of January 4th, a "northeaster" which tracked up the mid-Atlantic coast caused significant damage in the park. The storm, which is thought to be the worst to hit Assateague Island since the 1960's, overwashed the entire 37-mile length of the island with storm surge and struck it with hurricane-force winds. Preliminary assessments indicate that damage to park facilities was much more extensive than that incurred during the off-shore storm last October. Among other impacts, the ground level of the McCabe House was demolished, the McCabe Boathouse was flooded, the main park road was undermined, and entrance stations were damaged. Resource impacts have also been significant, including destruction or breaching of beach dunes and the drowning of numerous Sika deer and horses. The northern end of the island has been leveled except where spoil piles exist. Full damage assessments will probably not be completed for several days. The incident command system is being employed to manage the park's response. The island is closed to public access and will remain so until facilities and services can be restored. Operations are being coordinated with the staff from Assateague State Park and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, both of which are also closed. Follow-up reports on the storm's impacts will appear in this week's morning reports. [Telefax from Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 1/5]
The park has now mobilized necessary resources to respond to the damage inflicted by the storm which hit the area on January 4th. The incident command system has been fully implemented, all employees have been briefed on the situation, and a large damage assessment team has been established under the incident command team's plans section. Representatives from Mid-Atlantic Regional Office have arrived in the park and are reviewing the damage with the superintendent. Damage assessments will continue until late today; a preliminary report will then be made. Standing water in some locations may hamper the park's ability to complete assessments quickly. The park remains closed to all public use and will remain so for some time. [Telefax from Gordon Olsen, ASIS, 1/7]
The park response to the severe storm of January 4th, which is being managed under the incident command system, is in full swing. Preliminary assessments of storm damage have been completed and turned in for review and development of operational plans. Natural resource impacts and research damage assessments are lagging behind because of limited staff and because of the remote locations of study sites. Surveys of the primary dunes are underway to determine quantities of sand moved and morphological changes. Work has begun on plugging holes in the primary dune line in the developed zones of the park to mitigate possible damage by future storms. Salvage of sensitive equipment and property at high risk has begun. Evacuation and salvage from the single family park residence which was damaged during the storm has been completed. A civil engineer from Colonial was to have arrived in the park yesterday to assist in preparing a roadway assessment which will meet FHWA standards. The ICS team plans section has begun a review of the preliminary assessments to glean information to prepare a task list for incorporation into a long-term operations plan. This information will also be included in the damage report and request for financial assistance. Long-term strategies are being discussed, and salvage operations and dune work are continuing. The team is still looking for a safety officer. [Telefax from Gordon Olsen, ASIS, 1/9]
The incident command team has completed damage assessments and produced a preliminary list of tasks which must be completed to repair damage and restore services in the park. The cost estimate is over $2 million. Security, safety and salvage operations continue, but the primary focus is on completion of tasks required to open a section of the Virginia district by this coming weekend. [Telefax from Elaine Furbish, ASIS, 1/14]
On the evening of April 26th, Ocean City police advised the park that a 16-year-old male had contacted Ocean City officers that evening and told them that a man who was following him had sexually assaulted him in the park and was in possession of a gun. The man was arrested on a weapons charge and identified as R.P. of Slatington, Pennsylvania. During the subsequent investigation, the juvenile said that R.P. had assaulted him at Bayside campground in the park's Sinepuxent District; he also told officers that he'd known R.P. for several years and claimed that this was the "third or fourth" time R.P. had assaulted him. Since the park falls under proprietary jurisdiction, the Maryland state police were called in to participate in a joint investigation with rangers. Interviews were conducted with the subjects, and charges are now being discussed with the state attorney's office. [Telefax from Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 4/27]
Investigators have determined that the sexual assault which allegedly occurred in the park's Bayside campground on April 26th was between two people who indicated that they'd known each other for several years and that similar assaults have occurred on other occasions. Since the violation falls under state law and the park is under proprietary jurisdiction, the state police presented the case to the both the state attorney's office and to juvenile service officers. Both have declined to prosecute the case. [Telefax from Brion Fitzgerald, ASIS, 5/4]
As of 6 a.m. this morning, Danielle was about 80 miles southeast of Virginia Beach and moving northwest with sustained winds of about 50 mph. It was causing some damage to structures and the coastline along the Outer Banks, and was expected to next strike the Delmarva Peninsula between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Four to six inch rains, tides up to four feet above normal and coastal erosion are predicted. The park most likely to be significantly affected is Assateague Island. This will be the fourth significant coastal storm to hit the park in the last 12 months. All backcountry sites were closed yesterday morning, as was the park's ORV zone, which effectively terminated the deer archery hunting season now underway. It's expected that the dune stabilization done in the Maryland portion of the park subsequent to last January's storm will be sufficient to protect that district, but there are concerns that dunes in the Tom's Cove district in Virginia may not hold and that damage may occur to roads, parking lots and the visitor center at that location. [As of this morning, the park is reporting breaks in the dunes and overwash in several places in the district. Closure and evacuation of the park is being contemplated and is likely]. [Brion Fitzgerald and Bob Thomas, ASIS; Steve Smith and Bill Sturgeon, RAD/SERO; 9/24-25]
Tropical Storm Danielle passed over the park late on Friday, but caused little damage. The park began moving people out of campgrounds that afternoon and closed entrances at 6 p.m. Highest winds, which were recorded near 10:30 p.m., were about 65 mph. Much of the southern end of the park was overwashed by the ocean. ORV markers along the beach were lost, park roads and lots were covered with sand, and dunes that were being stabilized on the north end of the Virginia district were significantly eroded. There was no damage to facilities. The park reopened at noon on Saturday. [Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 9/28]
Damage reports from last week's winter storm have been received from a number of parks along the Eastern seaboard. The brunt of the damage occurred in North Atlantic Region, and the regional office has established a team to coordinate response activities. The following information was received yesterday; daily updates will follow: * Assateague Island (Virginia/Maryland) - Heavy surf conditions coupled with extreme high tides were still causing damage to the seashore yesterday, even as the park staff worked to assess the storm's impacts: - Maryland District - At this time, the off-road vehicle zone is closed, with major damage to the boundary marking system and the 13 miles of sand trail that runs parallel to the markers. The trail allows access to retained rights properties and to the park's hunting zone, both of which are now accessible only by boat. The duck hunting program scheduled to begin today has been temporarily suspended. The dune line that was constructed after last January's storm held and protected the developments on this end of the seashore, but the dune line that the state park had constructed failed at three locations, causing overwash on a portion of the seashore's entrance road. If the breaks are not adequately repaired immediately, major damage could occur to the road in the near future. - Virginia District - The dune in front of the visitor center and district office washed away, and surf is currently breaking against and flowing around this structure. The staff has removed sensitive equipment from the building and is preparing to order temporary office trailers. Plans already in place to move the visitor center and district office and relocate parking are being accelerated. Large amounts of sand and water cover portions of two major parking areas. The off-road vehicle zone is closed due to overwash. [John Lynch, RAD/NARO; Jim Rienhart, CR, GATE; Scott Pfeninger, CR, STLI; Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS; Tony Bonanno, CR, CACO; 12/14]
Preliminary reports have been received regarding the impacts of the weekend blizzard on a number of NPS units along the East Coast. Despite the storm's strength, relatively little damage has been reported, although almost all areas in the storm's path were closed all or parts of the weekend. The following information was current as of Sunday evening: * Assateague Island - The park weathered the storm with no serious damage. [John Lynch, RAD/NARO, and Scot McElveen, ASIS, 3/14]
More reports have been received regarding the impacts of the "Blizzard of '93" on East Coast areas: * Assateague - The park escaped serious damage from the storm, as winds and tides were well below expected levels. The wind blew shingles off several roofs. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN; Brion Fitzgerald, ASIS; Dwight Dixon, HOBE; 3/15]
On March 26th, P.C., 18, of Annapolis, Maryland, plead guilty in magistrate's court to hunting and weapons violations which occurred in the park last December. He was fined $250, ordered to pay $750 to the park's wildlife protection fund, placed on two years' probation, banned from hunting for a year, and banned from the park for two years. P.C. also forfeited his scoped Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun and his skinning knife. P.C. was charged by ranger Robert Sampsell on December 5th when investigation revealed that P.C. had illegally killed a Sika deer in the vicinity of the park's Sinepuxent District entrance road. [Bob Thomas, DR, ASIS, 3/31]
Around 2 a.m. on May 30th, a 12-year-old female reported that she'd been raped and assaulted while with a 34-year-old male near the Bull Pen camping area in the off-road vehicle zone. A suspect in the case has been identified. Rangers and Maryland state police are conducting a joint investigation. [Bob Thomas, Acting CR, ASIS, 6/2]
Preparations continue for the arrival of Hurricane Emily, now a Category II storm with sustained winds around 100 mph. Forecasters believe that wind speeds will increase before the hurricane comes ashore tomorrow. At 5 a.m. EDT, the hurricane was 155 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras and moving northwest around 9 mph; a gradual turn to the north is expected later today. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 mph. The hurricane warning has been extended northward to Cape Henlopen, Delaware, just north of Assateague Island. Storm tides of five to eight feet are possible on both eastern and western shores of the Outer Banks. Rainfall totals of four to eight inches are possible along Emily's path. * Assateague Island (Maryland) - All campgrounds have been or are currently being closed; the entire park will be evacuated and closed by 10 a.m. today. Park staff are in the process of moving equipment, relocating vehicles and completing other preparations. [Steve Smith, RAD/SERO; Mary Collier, Management Assistant, CAHA; Chuck Harris, CR, CALO; Bob Thomas, Acting CR, ASIS; Dick Young, COLO; NWS Office of Meteorology hurricane advisory; 8/31]
Reports were received early this morning from parks along the North Carolina-Virginia coastline regarding the impacts of Hurricane Emily: * Assateague Island (Maryland/Virginia) - Some minor sand erosion has occurred, but the park was otherwise unaffected by the storm. The Virginia end reopened this morning; the Maryland section should follow by midafternoon. [Steve Smith, RAD/SERO; Chuck Harris, CR, CALO; Mary Collier, Management Assistant, CAHA; Brion FitzGerald, CR, ASIS]
M.P. was arrested in the park by rangers and Maryland state police officers on August 6th for an alleged sexual offense committed on a 12-year- old female in the park's ORV zone last May. M.P. is a friend of the victim and her family. During a search incident to arrest, a ranger located a small amount of marijuana in M.P.'s pocket. Due to the park's jurisdictional status, M.P. will be tried in state court on second, third and fourth degree sexual offenses and possession of a controlled substance. [Scot McElveen, ASIS, 8/24]
The Maryland section of the park sustained significant road and shoulder damage when the state park's dune line dissolved and storm surge rolled across the island during the storm which struck the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday. The dune protecting the park's developed area, which was built after the January, 1992, storm, held, and there was little damage to facilities. The park has not yet been able to survey damage to roads, signs and markers in the ORV zone due to persistent high tides. Large sections of dune protecting the access road, parking lots, bathhouses and an amphitheater in the Toms Cove District in the Virginia section of the park were lost. As a result, large sections of two parking areas and the access road were destroyed. The park is attempting to provide immediate protection to the amphitheater and bathhouses while they conduct a more extensive damage survey. The park is working with managers from Assateague State Park, Chincoteague NWR and the town of Chincoteague in an effort to coordinate responses and determine which facilities can be repaired prior to the upcoming visitor use season. [Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 3/4]
On December 26, 1992, Mark McGee, a refuge officer at Chincoteague NWR, which is adjacent to the park, radioed rangers Clay Bunting and Scott Kalna to report that he'd seen two individuals hunting waterfowl from a duck blind within the park. McGee told the rangers that the two - subsequently identified as C.C. and D.S., both of Chincoteague, Virginia - had apparently exceeded their legal take and had also committed other waterfowl violations. Bunting and Kalna contacted the two men. Both hunters, unaware that they'd been under surveillance by McGee, said that they hadn't fired any shots. No waterfowl were found in their possession at that time, and no violations were noted. The rangers subsequently went up a small canal to C.C.'s outboard motor repair shop, where they found five freshly killed black ducks on C.C.'s dock. C.C. was again contacted and questioned about his hunting activity; C.C. denied any knowledge of the birds and stuck to his original story. Bunting went to the blind where the two had been hunting the next morning and recovered ten freshly fired 12 gauge shotgun shells, a tertial feather, and another feather of unknown origin. The tertial feather had a speck of blood on the tip. All evidence was sent to the National Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, where a serology examination matched the blood on the feather to one of the ducks. Lab technicians also found that all of the ducks were struck by lead shot, which is illegal. C.C. and D.S. were consequently charged with possession over the legal limit, wanton waste, hunting with lead shot, and hunting after hours. On February 25th, both appeared in federal district court. Upon learning about the DNA match and consulting with their attorney, the two agreed to plead guilty to all charges. Each was fined $300, ordered to pay $175 to the park's wildlife protection fund, banned from hunting anywhere in the United States for 18 months, and banned from the park for three years. According to the veterinary medical examiner at the forensics lab, this is the first time that they have successfully matched a single tertial feather to a duck through DNA typing. [Mel Olsen, DR, Tom's Cove District, ASIS, 3/8]
Reports have been received from two parks regarding the impacts of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Gordon: * Assateague Island - All campgrounds, the ORV zone, and backcountry sites were closed on Friday, and hunting was suspended. The main park road was closed at 6 p.m. At the time of the report, there was significant overwash in both the Maryland and Virginia ORV zones, but dunes protecting park facilities in both districts were still holding out the sea. The contractor rebuilding the wharf and pier at the old Coast Guard station may have lost about $15,000 worth of treated timbers, which were stacked near the site. [CRO, EVER, 11/16; Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS, 11/18]
Several more reports have been received regarding the storm's impact on East Coast parks: * Assateague Island - The park was spared from the storm's full impact by the cold front that stalled Gordon off Hatteras. There was some overwash of dunes in the Tom's Cove District, but no significant damage to facilities. There was some damage to the "backtrail" in the Sinepuxent District, which runs behind the dune line from the ORV zone entrance to the Virginia state line. Although the entire trail has not yet been surveyed, it's expected that there will be large stretches where the road has been washed over and scoured. Except for the two ORV zones, all park areas were reopened on November 19th. [Bill Carroll, CR, BICY; Brion Fitzgerald, CR, ASIS; Joe Smith, CR, CAHA; 11/18-22]
* Assateague Island - Backcountry camping has been suspended and frontcountry campers have been advised that the park may close this afternoon. Activities are being coordinated with the adjacent state park to assure that closures are consistent on the island. The park had high surf yesterday, but no instances of flooding. [Robert Woody, PIO, IMT, CAHA; Superintendent, CALO; Bob Thomas, ASIS; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO]
The following reports were received yesterday from parks being most directly affected by Hurricane Felix, which remains stationary off the North Carolina coast: * Assateague Island - All remaining campers left the park yesterday morning. The Maryland District was closed at 1 p.m. and will remain closed until the storm passes; the Virginia District was scheduled for closure yesterday evening. The major danger to facilities at present is overwash. Tides will continue to increase in height as long as Felix stays at sea. [Robert Woody, PIO, IMT, CAHA; Superintendent, CALO; Bob Thomas, Acting CR, ASIS; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO; USA Today]
The sudden change in direction and departure of Hurricane Felix spared East coast parks from significant damage. The following reports were received on Friday: * Assateague Island - The park reopened all areas and facilities at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 18th. No significant damage was reported by returning staff. At 9 a.m., park personnel recovered the body of a man believed to have drowned north of the park in Ocean City. Sea conditions were reported to still be hazardous. [Bob Thomas, Acting CR, ASIS; Bill Harris, Superintendent, CALO; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO]
On September 4th, a surfer found J.M., 42, floating below the water with a surf board attached to his leg. J.M. had no pulse and was not breathing. The surfer brought him to shore, attempting to administer CPR in the process. Responding rangers Scott Kalna, Doug Murphy, Scott Higgins and Clay Bunting found that J.M. still had no pulse or respirations, and administered CPR until local EMS personnel arrived. J.M. was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors determined that he'd suffered a contusion under his chin and a "cardiac event", and had nearly drowned. The order of these events could not be determined. J.M. was released from the hospital yesterday after several days in intensive care and a successful angioplasty. [Scot McElveen, SPR, ASIS]
On the morning of December 2nd, rangers Robert Thomas and Richard Shreffler responded to a report of a hunting accident with a gunshot wound near the park's south boundary. They found that E.C., 47, had been struck in the right leg by a 12 gauge rifled slug which had been fired by his partner, who was about 35 yards away from him at the time. The slug had struck and killed a deer before hitting E.C. E.C. was evacuated by a state police helicopter which had to land in a nearby marsh. The investigation determined that the thickness of the brush in the area made E.C. virtually invisible to his partner, even though he was wearing a florescent coat and hat. An emergency, solar-powered phone, recently installed in the area, was used by E.C.'s partner to summon help. [John C. Burns, CR, ASIS]
The series of severe El Nino-related winter storms which have been striking the U.S., particularly in California, the southern tier states and up the east coast, have had a variety of repercussions in national parks. Since there are no indications that this pattern will change for some time, the Morning Report will carry a continuing round-up of reported storm impacts: Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - During the early morning hours of January 28th and on into that evening, a northeaster with winds of over 50 mph struck the park. The storm came during a new moon tidal phase, which caused a storm surge of over seven feet above mean low water, leveling protective dunes and causing severe damage to roads, parking lots, bathhouses and the Virginia visitor center. Especially hard hit were the north end of Assateague and the Toms Cove District in Virginia. Federal and local officials visited the park on January 30th to assess damage and express support. On the evening of February 4th, another storm, more severe in terms of tides and wind, hit the same area. Preliminary damage assessments made yesterday morning revealed additional severe overwash on large portions of the island, increased damage to consolidated dunes, and the disappearance of temporary dunes created to protect infrastructure on the Virginia end of the park and within Assateague State Park. District ranger Mel Olsen, a long-time resident of Chincoteague, described the flooding in that area as the worst he has ever seen. A full assessment of damages and associated costs will begin today. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/4; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 2/5; Bill Blake, CR, NERI, 2/5; Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/5]
An assessment of the damage inflicted on the park by the nor'easters of January 28th and February 4th-5th has been completed: Maryland - An 8,400-foot section of the island in the northern portion of the park was scoured from beach to bay. The sustained overwash reduced the elevation of this section by five-and-a-half feet. The dune line in the developed zone lost a third of its mass for a stretch of 1.2 miles. High tides eroded the shoreline, virtually eliminating recreational beaches in the developed zone. The developed area horse exclosure fencing was washed away, and overwash caused damage to road shoulders along two miles of entrance road. Trails and hunting and service roads were washed out or covered by sand. Ten hunting blinds were destroyed or damaged. Significant lengths of fencing were damaged or destroyed, including the state line fence separating the two Assateague pony herds. A total of 451 large and small boundary markers were washed away. A section of the sewage treatment plant roof was blown off. Boardwalks and shorelines in developed areas were washed away. Damage in this section has been placed at $558,965. Virginia - Facilities at Chincoteague were extremely hard hit by the storm. About 100 feet of beach front was lost, and 515 of 961 parking sites were wiped out. The remaining parking spots were covered by between three and five feet of sand. Half of the 5,000-foot roadway which services beach and recreational areas was washed away. The utility and electrical systems to the bathhouses were completely destroyed, as were the visitor center's condenser units and the sheds used to support beach operations. Damage in this section has been placed at $913,069. The Corps of Engineers will be an important player in efforts to stabilize the northern section of the park, but specifics have not yet been worked out. [John Burns, CR, ASIS, 2/23]
Reports have been received from a number of areas, all in various stages of preparation for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Bonnie. Those appear below. Several incident management teams have also either staged or been placed on standby. Southeast's interagency "Blue Team", comprised of representatives from the NPS, Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service, has staged at Fort Bragg and will be supporting FEMA operations. A second interagency incident management team will also be dispatched to that location to support FEMA. Southeast Region's lead Type 2 team (Bob Panko, IC) is on immediate standby for response to NPS areas and is ready to go. The NPS national Type 1 team, SERO's two remaining Type 2 teams, and a CISD team are on standby and available for callout to parks. An innovative maintenance response vehicle, based out of Great Smoky Mountains NP, has been prepared and is ready to go. The truck and gooseneck trailer, which was developed following responses to several of the recent big hurricanes to strike Southeast Region, contains a complete maintenance shop (generators, compressors, saws, drill press, etc.), sleeping quarters for four people, a restroom and a kitchenette. As for the parks themselves: o Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - Preparations have been underway since last Friday. Although it appeared for some time that the park would be outside of the serious threat zone, it is now included in the hurricane warning area, which extends from South Carolina to Delaware. Installation of hurricane shutters and other preparations were begun on August 21st. On Monday, staff began following existing plans by designating sensitive items to be moved, a process which was implemented yesterday and will continue through this morning. Park beaches have been closed. Campground evacuation began at 4 p.m. yesterday; the island will be fully evacuated by 9 a.m. this morning. Persons residing in park housing have been moved to motels in Salisbury, Maryland, and to nearby NASA facilities. Voluntary evacuation was instituted for the town of Chincoteague early yesterday, but a mandatory evacuation was expected to follow. Parks in the track of Hurricane Bonnie are urged to transmit reports on storm preparations or impacts to this cc:Mail address at their earliest convenience. [Ken Garvin, SERO, 8/26; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR, 8/25; Bob Woody, CAHA, 8/25; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 8/25; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 8/25-26; Barry Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent, FIIS, 8/25]
Hurricane Bonnie's impacts on East Coast parks were minimal. Additional reports were received late on Friday and over the weekend: o Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - The center of the hurricane was about 200 miles off the coast when it passed by the park. Surf reached the base of the dunes in both districts, but only one breach occurred, measuring about 150 feet in length. No infrastructure damage has been detected. The park was reopened to the public on Saturday. No reports have been received from Cape Hatteras NS since the hurricane passed. [John Burns, CR, ASIS, 8/28; Ken Garvin, SERO, 8/29; Mike Rikard, Acting Superintendent, and Jim Zahradka, CALO, 8/28 and 29; James Burnett, CR, COLO, 8/28]
The following reports have been received from parks over the past 24 hours: o Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - One parking lot on the Virginia end of the park has been cut away on its western edge; it and a second lot were being washed over at the time of the report. Parking lots and the oversand zone in the district were closed to visitor use. The beach was still in fairly good condition and had suffered only minimal erosion. Restrooms and a fee booth had been removed to a safe area. The off-road vehicle zone on the Maryland end of the island was also closed, as overwash had left a large area of water along the entire 12- mile length of the ORV zone. The district was closed to backcountry camping, but frontcountry camping was being permitted. [Bob Woody, IC, CAHA, 8/31; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 8/31; Kevin Fitzgerald, CR, CACO, 8/31; Jim Zahradka, IC, CALO, 8/31; Dave Griese, CR, FIIS, 8/31; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 8/31]
The following updates have been received from parks being affected by Hurricane Floyd: o Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - The park, adjoining state park, and adjoining wildlife refuge were all closed this morning; the backcountry and remote areas at Assateague Island NS have been closed for the past 24 hours. The current forecast calls for the eye of the hurricane to pass eight to ten miles off Chincoteague at 2 p.m. today, so high winds (90 mph is forecast) and high water are expected. Beaches are okay so far. Emergency staff remains in the park, but all others have been released on administrative leave. [Ken Garvin and Daryl Rhodes, SERO, 9/15-16; Barbara Goodman, Superintendent, TIMU/FOCA, 9/15; Linda Brown, CR, MOCR, 9/15; Jim Zahradka, IC, CALO, 9/15; Gary Bremen, IO, BISC, 9/15; Mike Johnson, CR, FRSP, 9/15; Doyle Nelson, CR, DEWA, 9/15; Rick Nolan, CR, FOMC, 9/15; Dave Griese, CR, FIIS, 9/15; Mike Litterst, PAO, COLO, 9/15; Denise Pearce, CAHA, 9/15; LES, CAHA, 9/16; Nora Martinez, CR, CANA, 9/16; Hattie Squires, MOCR, 9/16; Martha Bogle, COSW, 9/16; Dave Parker, FOMA, 9/16; Wally Mattis, CM, FOFR, 9/16; Gordie Wilson, FOMA/CASA, 9/16; John Tucker, Superintendent, FOSU/CHPI, 9/16; John Burn, CR, ASIS, 9/16]
The following updates have been received from parks affected by Hurricane Floyd (north to south): o Assateague Island NS (MD/VA) - Storm effects were surprisingly light. Two parking lots in the South District were overwashed and were inaccessible on Friday, but the remainder of the district was open. Overwash damage to district beaches was insignificant. The North District ORV zone was still closed due to standing water on the beach at the access point. There was little erosion to beaches, but there was standing water in a third of campsites. The district and adjoining Maryland State Park reopened Friday morning. Based on information received from parks in both Southeast and Northeast Regions, the NPS Type II team (Bob Panko) was released on Friday afternoon. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 9/17; Mike Shaver, ACR, SAHI, 9/17; Sandy Rives, FRSP, 9/17; Bob Woody, IO, CAHA, 9/17; Ann Childress, MOCR, 9/17; George Liffert, IC, PRWI, 9/17; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 9/17; Paul Henry, NPS Superintendent, FLETC, 9/17; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 9/17; Jeffrey Collins, CR, HOFU, 9/17; Kevin FitzGerald, CR, CACO, 9/17; John Tucker, FOSU/CHPI, 9/17; Scott Kalbach, VAFO, 9/17; Martin Zweig, RLES, NERO, 9/17; Gordie Wilson, Superintendent, CASA/FOMA, 9/19]
Several more reports have been received on the impacts of the ice storm and blizzard that swept through the South and East this week: o Assateague Island NS (VA/MD) - High tides on January 25th reached the base of protective dunes in the North District developed zone, but caused no discernable damage. The dune line at adjacent Assateague State Park was breached and there was some flooding around campground buildings. Overwash occurred at several points in the 12-mile-long off-road vehicle zone, leaving standing water and flooding on the back trail. Short summaries from other parks affected by this storm would be appreciated. [Mike Hill, Superintendent, PETE, 1/26; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 1/26; Scott Pfeninger, CR, CHAT, 1/26; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 1/26; Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH, 1/26]
Ranger John Bueg responded to a 911 report of suspicious activity in the South Ocean Beach area on the evening of April 20th. He found a despondent 45-year-old man sitting in a vehicle; the engine was running, and a hose ran from the exhaust pipe to the passenger compartment. The vehicle had been stolen from relatives. Bueg detached the hose and was able to coax the man out of the car. He proved to be highly intoxicated, erratic and combative. At one point, he attempted to reenter his vehicle, which was later found to contain a large knife. Bueg attempted to take him into custody. The man fled, but was captured and arrested after a brief chase with the assistance of a state park ranger and a deputy sheriff. He was taken into protective custody and placed under psychiatric evaluation. Investigation revealed that he had an extensive criminal history. Charges are pending. [William Reynolds, DR, Maryland District, ASIS, 4/25]
President Clinton visited the park on Friday, May 26th, to unveil new federal initiatives to protect U.S. coastal waters, beaches and coral reefs. Staff participation was nearly total because of the nature of the event. State, county and municipal agencies supported the park's protection staff, which had been augmented by a Northeast Region SET team. There were no incidents. [John Burns, CR, ASIS, 5/30]
On July 2nd, ranger Allen Etheridge was patrolling in a remote area on the north end of the island when visitors informed him of a surf-related emergency and possible drowning nearby. Etheridge found C.L., 53, at the water's edge; he was unconscious and unresponsive. Etheridge and Assateague State Park rangers took over CPR from park visitors. C.L. was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Autopsy results are pending. [John Burns, CR, ASIS, 7/5]
On the afternoon of August 8th, lifeguards and rangers responded to a report of a drowning about 400 yards south of the guarded beach in the park's South District. Guards Kelly Ford and Rachel West reached the scene promptly and took over CPR from visitors who had pulled the 44-year-old man from the ocean. Paramedics transported him to Island Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The victim's brother said that he was a good swimmer and in good health. An autopsy will be performed. [John Burns, CR, ASIS, 8/8]
Four separate car clouting incidents occurred over the past four weeks in a popular parking area at Assateague, with an estimated loss of $5,000 to $7,000 in personal property. Ranger Dave Rapp was conducting a surveillance operation on the lot following these break-ins when he saw a man looking into parked cars. He then smashed one of the vehicle's windows with a rock and began taking items from it. NPS and Maryland State Park Service rangers joined Rapp on scene and placed the car clouter under arrest. Detectives are looking into the possibility that he was involved in a series of other car clouts throughout the local area. [Andy Zavanelli, ACR, ASIS]
Preparations continue along the East Coast for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Isabel. Reports received as of this morning follow, from south to north:
Parks to the south of the Carolinas are all keeping a wary eye on the storm, just in case the course changes, but generally remain in a "stand by" mode. Prepared from reports submitted by Bob Vogel, Superintendent, CALO; Dann Trexler, IC, CAHA; Tom Nash, CR, COLO; Vince Santucci, CR, GWMP; Laura Illige, CI, ROCR; Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS; Bill Halainen, IO, DEWA; Frank Mills, IC, STLI; and Wayne Valentine, IC, FIIS.
Despite its weakening, Hurricane Isabel remains a serious threat to portions of the northeast coastline and to nearby inland areas. Parks in those regions continue to prepare for its arrival. As a precautionary measure, one of the Service's two national Type 1 teams (JD Swed's team) will be staging in Charlotte, North Carolina, in order to be prepared to respond as needed to any park or area. A number of Type 2 teams are also on standby. Here's a rundown on the status of many of the parks in or near the storm's path (south to north):
This summary was compiled from reports submitted by Randy Coffman,
DL&ES, WASO; Wouter Ketel, IC, CALO; Ann Childress, Superintendent,
MOCR; Mark Hardgrover, Deputy Superintendent, CAHA; Mike Hill,
Superintendent, ASIS; Duane Erwin, Chief Ranger, and Russ Whitlock,
Deputy Director, WOTR; Stephen Syphax, NACE; Laura Illige, CI, ROCR;
Doug Wallner, Acting Regional Chief Ranger, NERO; Wayne Valentine, IC,
FIIS; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Charles Strickfaden, Chief Ranger,
FOMC; Frank Mills, Assistant Superintendent, STLI; and Wayne Sanders,
Chief of Maintenance, GEWA/THST.
Hurricane Isabel caused moderate to extensive damage in many parks within Southeast, National Capital and Northeast Regions. As of yesterday, 36 parks had reported damage sufficient to require the preparation of conditions assessments. Although most of these parks are not requesting any additional assistance, several have sustained damage sufficient to warrant oversight of recovery efforts by incident management teams. Here's a rundown on the affected parks (south to north), excluding those that reported negligible impacts:
Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken
Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Doug Wallner, NERO; Ann Childress,
Superintendent, MOCR; Wouter Ketel, IC, and Bob Vogel, Superintendent,
CALO; Paul Stevens, Liaison Officer, IMT, and Barry Munyan, ADR, CAHA;
Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA; Reed Johnson, Superintendent,
APCO; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Mike Hill, Superintendent,
ASIS; Charlie Strickfaden, Chief Ranger, FOMC; Gregory Smith, Chief
Ranger, MORR; Maryanne Gerbauckas, Superintendent, EDIS; Bill Sanders,
Superintendent, HOFU; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Bob Kirby,
Superintendent, PETE; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP.
Damage assessments and the organization of repair and rehabilitation operations are underway at parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. Assisting with and supporting these efforts are JD Swed's Type 1 team (currently relocating from Charlotte to Williamsburg), Rick Brown's Type 2 team, and Clay Jordan's Type 3 team at Shenandoah. Here's a rundown on the current status of affected parks (south to north): Assateague Island NS The Toms Cover visitor center is still without power, but it may be restored today. The ORV zones have reopened on a limited basis. The storm took out a lot of the beach, and it will take several weeks for it to wash back in. Large quantities of sand need to be removed from the parking lots and access road at Toms Cove. The extent of the damage to the shell-over-clay parking lots and roads themselves won't be known until the sand is removed. The park will probably not try to do a complete cleanup until late winter or early spring, as they still have to get through a winter's worth of storms. Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Bob Martin and Doug Wallner, NERO; Mary Doll, PIO, Outer Banks Group; Wouter Ketel, IC/Chief Ranger, and Donna Tipton, PIO, CALO; Laura Joss, Superintendent, FOMC; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA/THST; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH/MAWA; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Laurie Coughlan, Superintendent, HAMP; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS.
Worcester County dispatch received a report of an unconscious person who was not breathing in the Life of the Dunes parking lot at 6:40 a.m.on Sunday, April 25th. Rangers Andy Zavanelli, Todd Garrett and Dave Rapp headed to the lot, where they met Berlin EMS units and county deputies. They learned that K.K., 26, of Damascus, Maryland, had been found dead there in his sleeping bag. K.K. had reportedly ingested and extract of a tree bark found in South America that is used as part of a "cleansing ritual" and known to produce an intense 15- to 30-minute-long LSD-like reaction. Investigation is continuing with the assistance of the county bureau of investigation. [Submitted by Mike Anderson, Chief Ranger]
T.B., who was wanted by Maryland state authorities for
impersonating a police officer, was sighted within park boundaries at
Assateague State Park campground on the morning of Monday, May 24th. A
multi-agency, federal-state search was launched to find and apprehend
T.B., who was considered to be armed and dangerous. Field raining
rangers Dana Condron and Dave Rapp and trainee Kevin Donnell joined the
search. Shortly thereafter, T.B. was spotted swimming in the surf by
park researchers. Condron and Donnell assisted state rangers with his
arrest, detention and transport. He is currently in state custody,
facing various criminal charges and parole violations.
Darryl C. Hagy, 59, the park's revenue and fee coordinator, tragically passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, October 7th, in a two-vehicle accident. Darryl was known for his love of fishing, gardening, and ability to tell jokes that made you laugh so hard you cried. Even now his staff can imagine the tears streaming down his cheeks as he nears the punch line of a joke. He was a rare kind of person, full of joy for life. He refused to take on any and all stress, a decision made after being awarded a Purple Heart in Vietnam. Recently inspired by a new love of teaching, he was active in the community of fee supervisors and managers, training new employees in NPS policies. Darryl wanted all his employees to know that the best kind of learning is learning from your mistakes. He once said, "If there are any things I have learned, it is that you don't fry catfish naked, you don't start a brush fire with kerosene, and you don't lick a steak knife." A great supervisor, co-worker, and friend — we will miss him. Darryl is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and four grandchildren. He will be cremated with a memorial service to follow on the beach that he loved, Assateague Island.[Submitted by Karen Zavanelli]
Rangers responded to several EMS calls and a drowning on Sunday, July 16th. A Korean couple from Gaithersburg, Maryland, came to the park that day to go clamming with friends. While clamming in Sinepuxent Bay, the wife fell into deeper water. Both husband and wife were non-swimmers and the husband drowned trying to rescue her. The woman, found face down in the water, was pulled to shore by friends and onlookers. Rangers administered rescue breathing and she was transported to a nearby hospital where she remains in intensive care. A multi-agency search was launched for the missing husband. His body was found and recovered by rangers with the help of the Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Berlin VFD, and NPS lifeguards. An autopsy is pending. CISD is being offered to participants in the incident. Protection ranger trainee Josh Frasier assisted with the death investigation, which was complicated by language barriers. Other incidents that day included an incident in which a canoe rental company employee was stung by a wasp and lapsed into anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction during transport to the hospital. She is recovering. While the search for the missing husband was underway, rangers responded to the park campground to assist a visitor who was experiencing seizures. The visitor was provided with oxygen and transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. [Mike Anderson, Chief Ranger]
A park visitor came upon a body floating about 300 yards offshore in the over sand vehicle zone around 5 p.m. on the afternoon of Sunday, June 24th. Rangers recovered the body shortly thereafter. The man had evidently been in the water for several days. An investigation was begun and the body was taken to a lab for identification. He was found to a man who'd been reported missing in Ocean City a week earlier. The body had drifted about 17 miles. [Martin Budzynski, Park Ranger]
Ranger Dave Rapp prepared for a fishing compliance patrol on December 10th by first checking the activity on a popular internet discussion board used by many anglers visiting the park. He noticed one entry in which the author wrote that she had caught 22-inch and 24-inch stripers (rockfish) on Assateague Island - a violation, as Maryland state law establishes a minimum length of 28 inches for this species. The author also wrote that she was "keeping this baby for dinner!" Included in the entry was a photograph showing the angler holding up the fish. Rapp noted that the entry was only a few minutes old and that the photograph appeared to have been taken inside of the park. He located, recognized, and contacted the angler, who was still on the beach within the park. She produced a 21-inch striper, and reported that she'd utilized a Wi-Fi internet connection to post her entry from the park. A violation notice was issued for the undersized fish. [Ted Morlock, Acting Chief Ranger]
The park and neighboring Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge have been working cooperatively with the Coast Guard to remove a grounded vessel from "the hook" at the southern tip of Assateague Island. The 77-foot-long, 160-ton fishing vessel Frieda Marie ran aground on August 3rd. The crew reportedly beached the vessel for safety reasons due to taking on water. The vessel's owner has expended all available funds and has given up further claims to the boat. However, currently available documentation is not adequate to transfer title, and the federal government may be forced to pursue abandoned property proceedings. Any substantial threat of pollution has been eliminated through the response actions of the owner and the USCG. Residual contaminants remain a threat to piping plover populations and habitat. The vessel could eventually break up and litter the beach, affecting plover habitat. Components of the vessel are also reported to have asbestos and PCBs. The Coast Guard has worked diligently to remove the entire vessel under its emergency authorities, but agency mandates, strict authorities, and logistics have complicated the response action. The USCG generally does not address derelict vessels under the emergency authorities of the Oil Pollution Act, which is also the funding source for the response action. The refuge's manager has assumed the lead for the Department of the Interior, with the park's superintendent providing support to seek an effective solution to this grounded vessel. [D L Anderson, NPS Spill Response, and Trish Kicklighter, Superintendent]
The park sustained significant beach erosion, overwash and damage to infrastructure when the remains of Tropical Storm Ida passed over the region last Friday. A three-day onslaught of northeast winds up to 80 mph and heavy rains caused extensive flooding and sand migration. Visitor safety closures of the Virginia end of the island and the off-road portions of Maryland were put in place on Friday. The Virginia portion of the park and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge remain closed while repairs continue. The reopening of areas will proceed as resources and the weather allow. Full recovery is expected to take months and will probably not occur until spring. Approximately 1500 tires washed ashore from old offshore artificial reefs. Old infrastructure and extensive debris are scattered heavily along the entire 37-mile length of beach. Much of what is now exposed has not been seen by employees with more than 20 years of experience here at the park. The park has requested additional resources to assist in the recovery efforts. [Ted Morlock, Chief Ranger]
While on patrol on July 19th, seasonal ranger George Walton saw a motorcyclist riding without a helmet. Despite the operator's attempt to hide within the congestion created by a "pony jam," Walton was able to find him and obtain a Maryland ID card. While running checks on him, the operator approached Walton with clenched fists and other indicators of aggression. Walton responded by ordering him to stop; as he reached for his taser, the man returned to his motorcycle and fled - minus his ID card. Walton pursued and was soon joined by another ranger and a Maryland Department of Natural Resources officer. The operator left the island at a high rate of speed and soon disappeared, so the officers terminated the pursuit and summoned additional help. A total of eight rangers and officers began searching the area and interviewing witnesses. A DNR officer employed his mobile data terminal to obtain a good image of the man and a description of his motorcycle. Shortly thereafter, he found the bike at a large campground/amusement park about four miles from Assateague. Rangers employed their mobile phone cameras to capture the man's image from the mobile data terminal, then began sweeping the area in a search for him. Ranger Dana Condron came upon a man who resembled the photo and called him by name. Although the man initially denied his identity, he soon admitted to being the person they were looking for. A check by dispatch revealed that the man had eight prior DUI convictions and that his license had been suspended and revoked. He was again found intoxicated in this contact. [Ted Morlock, Chief Ranger]
Hurricane Earl will approach the North Carolina coast late today and move near or over the Outer Banks tonight. The center is then expected to pass near or offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula. The hurricane will then track northeast along the coast, probably passing over Cape Cod. Parks along the coast from North Carolina to Maine are watching the storm closely and taking necessary actions. Here's today's summary: Assateague Island NS - Backcountry campers were evacuated and campsites closed yesterday, and the over sand vehicle areas in both Maryland and Virginia were closed. A decision on whether to evacuate the developed area campgrounds in Maryland will be made today. Visitor use infrastructure is being removed from the Toms Cove day use area, and lifeguard stands are being removed from the Maryland beaches. Vehicles (including ATVs and golf carts) are being removed from the Maryland district. Items susceptible to wind damage are being secured at all facilities both on and off the island. Select vehicles, vessels, and emergency response equipment will be moved off site today, if necessary. Sensitive equipment and documents will be protected from water damage in all offices (moved away from windows, covered in plastic, etc.) by close of business today. [Barry Munyan, CALO; Cyndy Holda and Paul Stevens, CAHA; Stuart West, ACAD; Skip Brooks, COLO; Bob Grant, CACO; Peter Totorell, GATE; Carl Zimmermann, ASIS; Jay Lippert, FIIS; Stephen Clark, NERO]
Parks from Big Cypress to Acadia are in the midst of completing preparations for Hurricane Irene. All three East Coast regions - Southeast, National Capital and Northeast - held regionwide telephone conferences yesterday that collectively included representatives from the scores of potentially affected areas. Without exception, they reported that they were putting hurricane or emergency plans into effect, mobilizing local incident management teams, making or planning closures as needed, and otherwise taking all necessary steps to protect facilities and assure public and staff safety. The following reports are from areas where there have been closures and/or are from locations potentially most exposed to the storm, particularly parks bordering the ocean. They are listed from south to north: Assateague Island NS - The park started making preparations in the Virginia district on Tuesday and is continuing them in both Virginia and Maryland today. ICS will probably go into effect today. The park is working with cooperating agencies on the timing of closures. Emergency housing is being arranged for employees should it be needed. The regions have incident management and damage assessment teams on standby for deployment as needed. The National Interagency Fire Center has prepared a list of available resources, which include an area command team, a NIMO team, five Type 1 and five Type 2 incident management teams. [Regional, WASO and FAM reports]
Hurricane Irene is poised to strike the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of up to 100 mph or more tomorrow, then move northeastward along the coast and over the metropolitan New York City area and into New England later in the weekend. Forecasters expect it to be a "major event" from North Carolina to Massachusetts and possibly further north. Parks have completed preparations for the storm. Incident management and damage assessment teams have been called out and will be in place and on standby by midday today. The Eastern IMT (Zeph Cunningham, IC) and Midwest IMT (Jim Hummel, IC) will be staged in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the former prepared to assist the Outer Banks Group and the latter set to support Cape Lookout NS and Moores Creek NB. Two Southeast Region assessment teams will also be staged in Greensboro and will be available to assist these parks as needed. Since all potentially affected parks are prepared and ready for the storm, only those with new closures or developments are listed below, south to north: Assateague Island NS - Park campgrounds will be closed and evacuated by noon today. Employees will be released by Saturday morning. A report on the storm and its impacts on park will appear in Monday's edition.
Most parks affected by Hurricane Irene have reopened and returned to normal operations, but several continue to deal with serious issues. Today's status reports follow. As of yesterday morning, a total of 173 NPS employees were committed to hurricane recovery operations. Here are updates from parks reporting significant issues, as of yesterday morning (south to north): Assateague Island - The Maryland end of the park has reopened with about 90% of park facilities ready for the public and employees. One parking lot remains closed and a few developed area campsites are still underwater. The west side of the backcountry remains closed because it is still underwater and staff cannot get in to conduct evaluations. Damage to backcountry roads and campgrounds is suspected. The Virginia end of the park will open on Friday when one of the district's four parking lots reopens. It does not make sense to repair the other three until next spring because the public demand is not there and the hurricane and nor'easter seasons will continue until spring. Additional reports on Hurricane Irene's impacts will be posted as they are received. [Bill Halainen, Editor]
Hurricane Sandy, a HYPERLINK "http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php" Category 1 storm with current maximum sustained winds of about 75 mph, was east of the Outer Banks early this morning and moving to the north at about 15 mph. It is expected to turn to the northwest today, with the center coming ashore along the New Jersey coastline this evening or tonight. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, mainly to the southwest of the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 520 miles. The following hazards are expected: Winds - Gale force winds are being reported from coastal North Carolina to New Jersey and are expected to arrive along other portions of the coastline from Long Island to southern New England later this morning. Winds of hurricane force are expected later today. Surge - A combination of tides and "extremely dangerous" storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach the following depths above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide - 4 to 6 feet in North Carolina; 2 to 4 feet in southern Virginia and Delmarva, including the lower Chesapeake Bay; 1 to 3 feet in the upper and middle Chesapeake Bay; 6 to 11 feet in Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay and New York Harbor; 4 to 8 feet elsewhere from Ocean City, Maryland, to the Connecticut-Rhode Island border; 3 to 6 feet from there to Cape Cod; 2 to 4 feet from Cape Cod to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border; and 1 to 3 feet from there to Canada. Rain - Rainfall totals of from 4 to 8 inches are expected over portions of the Mid-Atlantic states, including the Delmarva peninsula, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are forecast from New York to New England, with isolated amounts of 5 inches. Snow - Snow accumulations of from 2 to 3 feet are expected in the mountains of West Virginia, from 1 to 2 feet in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, and 12 to 18 inches in the mountains near the North Carolina/Tennessee border and in the mountains of western Maryland. The following park status reports are based on regional phone calls conducted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on email updates. Every park in the hurricane's very broad path has made preparations for downed trees, flooding, power outages and related problems; just about every park and office in the hurricane's broad path is closed today. Rather than list all of them, the summary below focuses on parks and offices that have been or are being impacted by the storm or that have substantial closures or other issues: Assateague Island - Winds from the hurricane arrived early on Sunday, a bit sooner than expected. As of midday yesterday, winds were already gusting to 60 mph and overwash was occurring from both the bay side and the ocean side. Three NPS Type II incident management teams - East, Intermountain and Midwest - are fully staffed and on standby for use as needed. Two of the teams are currently being staged, the Eastern IMT in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the Midwest IMT in Columbus, Ohio. Other NPS offices and specialized teams are also on standby.
Hurricane Sandy inflicted substantial damage on the park. A Type III incident management team (Craig Thatcher, IC) has been managing the recovery and has provided a status report. The damage to the park's two units included: Maryland - Dunes were breached in front of the park's group campsites, walk in campsites, and south beach parking area, causing them to either be totally washed away or covered by over four feet of sand. The bayside picnic area and the end of bayside parking lot were lost into the bay; the bayside "Life of the Marsh" and "Life of the Forest" trails were severely damaged or destroyed. The ferry landing naturalist shack was lifted off of its pilings and washed onto its side. All backcountry roads suffered significant damage. Virginia - The boathouse dock at the Coast Guard Saving Station, a National Historic Landmark, received significant damage. The beach parking lots were destroyed, and the main road was washed out. The team has made substantial headway in recovery operations. The following list is a compilation of completed and pending tasks: Large project assessments have been completed. Damage assessment costs are estimated at $3 million. An estimated $314,500 has been spent to date on emergency recovery operations. Contractors for Maryland DOT have continued work to repair the bicycle trail next to Highway 611 on the causeway east of the Highway 611 bridge. A saw crew is working on downed and hazardous tree removal. The Aerial Crane Company will remove damaged boardwalks and reset the naturalist shack on its pilings next week. Damaged asphalt from the parking areas will be removed by November 16th. Due to undermining, the road to Toms Cove Visitor Center in the Virginia unit will be open only to pedestrians/bicycles from the old corral area. The over-sand vehicle (OSV) zone has reopened to kilometer 28. The OSV zone assessment has been completed to the Virginia state line. Cross island elevation transect assessments continue. Press releases have been sent out on remaining closure areas. Variable message signs updated with daily openings/closings. A storm damage slideshow has been posted on the park web page. Photos have been HYPERLINK "http://www.flickr.com/photos/assateaguenps" posted to Flickr from the park website, which has received 30,000 hits to date. The park web page has been updated concerning hunting and closures. Assessments of backcountry hunting and canoe signs have been completed. Damaged backcountry roads are being filled utilizing heavy equipment. Interpretation and visitor use assistant staff have returned to normal operations. The park visitor center and state park day use area are open. The north beach parking lot has opened. The Oceanside Campground loops 1 and 2 and Bayside Campground have reopened. The group campground will open on November 17th. Limited hunting is opened in the Maryland Unit. The Toms Cove Visitor Center in the Virginia Unit is open. No injuries have occurred during recovery operations. The Type III IMT is scheduled to transition the incident back to park on November 15th. [Paul K. Stevens, Liaison Officer]
As is the case during most summers, reports on incidents pertaining to contacts between native species and visitors — intentional, accidental or otherwise — are on the increase. Here are a few that have come in lately: Assateague Island NS — A man has been charged with trying to ride one of the park's protected wild horses. The charge stems from an incident depicted on social media that appears to show a man attempting to ride one of the horses. This instance comes a week after a horse kicked a woman after she approached the animal wielding a shovel. The woman didn't appear to be seriously injured as a result of the kick. Source: Salisbury Daily Times.
On May 2, a highly food conditioned and aggressive horse, named Delegate's Pride (and known as "Chip"), was removed from the park and relocated to Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas, which is a wildlife sanctuary. Since 2017, the horse had been involved in more than 50% of all incidents that have resulted in visitor injury. He is also resistant to techniques used by the NPS staff to move horses out of potentially risky situations. The park is also working on updating food storage regulations, facilities, and education to avoid future food habituation among wild horses. Source: Assateague Island National Seashore
On July 13, two wild horses who were already in "an excited and agitated state" became blocked by visitors and illegally parked vehicles. Without a manner to retreat toward the island, they fled west over the Route 611 Verrazano bridge to the mainland. The two horses were from the Maryland herd and are known as Adrianna's Happy Camper and Starlight. Staff from the national park and state park safely corralled the horses about a half-mile from the bridge on the mainland, then trailered them back to the island. No horses or humans were injured in the incident. A horse has only crossed the bridge one other time in recorded history and the park has reminded the public to obey all traffic rules and give horses at least 40 feet of space. Source: Assateague Island National Park
On July 31, the park closed the "normal" lifeguarded area of North Beach swimming area at the Maryland unit due to the discovery of at least seven pieces of military munitions debris on the beach. There are pits of munition debris that were buried in the 1940s and recent storms may have uncovered one of these pits. Most of the fragments are just metal, but some may contain explosive residue or propellent. The Ocean City Bomb Squad, Dover Air Force Base Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, and Worchester County Fire Marshal assisted the park in removing all the material from the park. The closure lasted until August 4, at which point the park reopened the beach to normal use. Source: Assateague Island National Seashore, WBOC
On December 16, a 20-foot-long humpback whale was found deceased in the Maryland Oversand Vehicle Area. NPS staff contacted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Stranding Response Team, and in partnership with the National Aquarium, they conducted a necropsy. After the necropsy, they utilized heavy machinery to move the whale to the dunes area to dry before burying it. The death of the whale has caused U.S. Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) to call for an immediate moratorium on offshore windmill construction and related underwater geotechnical testing until it can be definitively proven that the testing and construction are not causing "repeated whale deaths." There is fear that whales' ear structures are affected by sonar activity. It is unclear whether or not the moratorium will be considered. Source: WBAL, WBOC
On January 31, a subadult humpback whale was found deceased on the north end of the seashore. NPS staff moved it out of the tidal zone and a necropsy was conducted on February 2 by staff and volunteers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Stranding Response Program and the National Aquarium. The cause of death was unable to be determined during the examination and samples have been submitted for further diagnostic analysis. It is the second beached whale carcass found in the area within three weeks. Source: CBS Baltimore
From September 15-17, a great deal of hazardous materials, including used needles, hygiene products, smoking products, and miscellaneous plastics washed up on the shore of the park (and on beaches across the region). The park was closed to allow for clean-up. On September 20 and 21, the park reopened most of the island. Assateague Island north of the State Park "will remain closed for at least another week" due to it getting more debris than other locations. Visitors are advised to wear shoes on the beach out of an abundance of caution. The source of the material is unknown and under investigation. Source: Assateague Island National Seashore | |