RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Wednesday, May 15, 1991

INCIDENTS

91-159 - Yosemite (California) - Drowning

On May 13th, six people were thrown into the Merced River near 
Bridal Veil Falls when their rafts capsized.  Rangers employed 
ropes to pull five to the shore, but the sixth, S.R., 
18, of Los Angeles, was found face down in the water 100 yards 
downstream from the accident.  Two of those rescued were treated 
for hypothermia.  According to family members, the group ran 
into rapids while floating down the river in three rubber rafts.  
The Merced is reported to be more dangerous than usual because 
it is swollen with snow runoff.  [Associated Press story, 5/15]

91-160 - New River Gorge (West Virginia) - Environmental Pollution 
Case

Wolf Creek, which flows through lands controlled and 
administered by the park, became polluted by an acid mine runoff 
last month which killed over 500 fish and threatened the water 
quality for residents of the town of Fayetteville and the 
surrounding area.  The pollution source has been known to 
authorities for the past ten years, and has been in state court 
for the last eight years without resolution.  On April 30th, the 
U.S. Attorney for West Virginia requested a joint NPS-FBI 
investigation of the incident, and also asked rangers to 
investigate an acid mine drainage problem in the park and a 
logging operation near the boundary which is causing soil 
erosion and water quality problems for the New River.  In all 
three cases, rangers are working with investigators from both 
the FBI and the EPA and are employing the Clean Water Act as the 
primary investigative tool.  The initial investigation of Wolf 
Creek shows ample evidence for a grand jury indictment, and the 
U.S. Attorney has assured the environmental crimes task force 
which he chairs that his intent is to aggressively pursue and 
prosecute violators of environmental crimes, particularly those 
affecting water quality in the park.  [Telefax from Bill Blake, 
CR, NERI, 5/7] 

91-161 - Petrified Forest (Arizona) - Felony Arrest

On May 2nd, ranger John Williams was checking out two 
individuals who were sleeping in their vehicle in the Painted 
Desert parking lot when he received a call from park dispatch 
which advised that there was a felony burglary warrant 
outstanding against the driver.  Rangers Stobinski and Isensee 
responded and assisted in the arrest of D.W., 29.  A 
vehicle search led to the discovery of small amounts of drug 
paraphernalia.  [Kerry Isensee, CR, PEFO, via CompuServe message 
from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) R&R Uniforms is in the process of preparing a new uniform 
catalogue, and we hope to have them distributed to the field by 
midJune.  The catalogues will be accompanied by new order forms 
and will be preceded by a memo from this office with information 
on the new components in the program and how they are to be 
acquired and worn.  [Bill Halainen, RAD/WASO]

2) We have received word that the Department of Interior will be 
extending the current contract with CompuServe for another full 
year, thereby postponing the termination date for that service 
to September 30, 1992.  Meanwhile, research is underway into an 
alternative telecommunications system, and initial evaluation 
and testing of the selected system should take place later this 
summer.  We'll keep you posted.  [Bill Halainen, RAD/WASO]

3) The Department of Interior and U.S. Customs Service have 
signed an agreement authorizing DOI employees to fly on Customs 
aircraft.  This agreement went into effect on April 25, 1991.  
Regional offices will be receiving copies of the full agreement 
for distribution.  Please note that the agreement only covers 
law enforcement operations and commissioned DOI employees.  
[Dick Martin, RAD/WASO]

4) The FBI is seeking information on one C.N. (DOB 
9755) who has allegedly been involved in poaching from 
helicopters in or near national parks.  If you have any info on 
Mr. C.N., please contact agent James Franklin in Memphis, 
Tennessee, at 901-525-7373.  [Bob Mihan, YELL]

THIS DAY IN NPS SAR HISTORY...

May 15, 1943 - "The Ballad of Doris Dean" was written and played 
on local radio stations after a four and a half year old girl 
was found alive after being missing for five days in Shenandoah.  
As many as 1,200 people participated in the search for Doris.  
[Butch Farabee, PAIS]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Dabney on annual leave (5/14-5/17).

Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Martin at FLETC, Glynco, GA
(5/16-5/17).

Branch of Fire: Gale at fire program review of parks in Dakotas
(5/13-5/17); Broyles at training working team meeting, Nashville, TN
(5/13-5/17).

Telephone:  FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog:     1/650