NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Monday, January 8, 1996

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

95-779 - Systemwide - Impacts of Government Shutdown

As was noted on the December 18th Morning Report, the governmental shutdown has
been classified as an incident for incident reporting purposes.  Several parks
have submitted reports of the impacts of the shutdown on their areas; reports
from other areas will appear in coming days.

* Yosemite - On December 26th, the Mariposa County board of supervisors
declared a local state of economic emergency, declaring that the county's
communities were suffering significantly from the loss of tourist dollars
due to the park's closure.  California Governor Pete Wilson did not
approve the county's declaration, which might have yielded financial
support to local businesses from state and federal agencies.  According
to a local paper, county officials have estimated that 25 percent of the
county's work force were laid off as a direct result of the closure. 
Over 480 NPS employees were furloughed, while 100 continued to provide
resource, human health and safety, and property protection.  The majority
of the 1,300 concession employees were also temporarily laid off.  Other
impacts:

o The Bracebridge dinner, held in the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, was
canceled for only the sixth time since its inception in 1927.  As
many as 40,000 people seek reservations for the banquet each year.
The 1,600 tickets, spread among five seatings, are awarded by
lottery. 

o A Fresno paper reports that park concessions incurred losses
ranging from $200,00 to $300,000 per day.  Lost concessions sales
translate into lost funding for the park, since a percentage of
gross receipts are put into a capital improvement fund, which is
used to improve visitor facilities.   

o At least 110 formal interpretive programs were canceled, plus
unknown numbers of interpretive opportunities with visitors in the
park and at visitor centers.  The Yosemite Institute canceled
several week-long environmental education programs affecting 120
children and adults, resulting in approximately $50,000 in lost
revenue.  Resource management and research activities were also
curtailed.  

o Despite favorable burning prescriptions, the two furloughs caused a
25 percent shortfall from targeted levels in acreage burned by
management ignited fires.  This included approximately 100 acres
deemed of significant ecological importance (including sequoia
groves), and hazard fuel reduction to protect real property.

 Although Yosemite was frequently the lead story in California media
reports about the shutdown, it was the sum total impact of park closures
that caused the greatest impact.  The California State Trade and Commerce
Agency estimated that the potential economic loss from park closures
statewide was about $5.1 million per day.

* Zion - On December 29th, the president of the chamber of commerce from
Springdale, Utah, the community at the park's south entrance, called the
park and advised that he intended to hold a peaceful march to protest the
closure of Zion and other NPS units due to the budget crisis.  Newspaper
ads and radio announcements in southwestern Utah invited the public to
participate in the march, which was set for 1 p.m. on New Year's Day. 
Media reports stated that planners hoped for several thousand
participants.  Because of First Amendment rights issues, the park
coordinated planning with the Intermountain Field Area and WASO Ranger
Activities management teams to assure a proper response in terms of the
park's closure.  About 80 southern Utah residents and out-of-town
visitors showed up for the walk at the appointed hour.  A local resident
read a prepared statement which was critical of the way the budget
impasse was handled.  Her remarks, however, stressed that the NPS was not
to blame and voiced strong support for the park's staff and the good
relations between the town and the park.  The event was covered by four
Salt Lake City network stations and three area newspapers.  The march
lasted for about 90 minutes; there were no incidents.

* Grand Canyon - On December 20th, the state of Arizona and the Department
of Interior entered into an agreement which authorized the department to
accept financial donations allowing Grand Canyon to run designated areas
of the park in the event of a full and complete budgetary shutdown. 
Because of this donation agreement, the shutdown was less restrictive
than in other parks.  The agreement was a one park, one term agreement,
and specified areas that would remain open, numbers of employees who
would work, and liability issues.  Most visitor facilities between Mather
Point and Hermits Rest on the South Rim remained open, including visitor
contact stations, lodging accommodations, food services, shops and bus
tours.  State Highway 64 remained open as a through road; entrance
stations were staffed for the purpose of providing information, but no
entrance fees were collected.  All other areas of the park, including the
entire area below the rim, were closed.  In addition to over $300,000
authorized by the state, several private organizations made large
donations to augment state funds.  These included Del Web Corporation
($100,000); Fred Harvey/Grand Canyon National Park Lodges ($52,875); John
F. Long, a Phoenix development firm ($52,875); Babbitt Brothers Store,
Verkamps Curio Shop and the Grand Canyon Railway ($17,500); Phoenix
Hospital ($3,000); and Air Star Helicopters ($1,700).  Vehicle counts
during the shutdown were comparable to previous years, but the number of
buses appeared to be high due to the many large groups of Nebraska and
Florida fans traveling to the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix.  Although visitors
were happy to be in the park, many were frustrated by the limited access.

[Chip Jenkins, MA, YOSE; Denny Davies, PIO, ZION; Maureen Oltrogge, PIO, GRCA]

95-783 - Lincoln Home (Illinois) - Death of Employee

Historian George Painter, 49, died of cancer at a local hospital on the morning
of Friday, December 22nd.  He is survived by his wife, Rose, and by their two
children, Amanda, 12, and Jeffrey, 5.  George began his career in the NPS at
Morristown in 1970, worked at Gateway's Sandy Hook unit from 1974 to 1977, then
transferred to Lincoln Home in 1977.  He was a colleague of the nation's
leading Lincoln scholars, and was widely respected for his knowledge of Lincoln
history and for his many accomplishments in the Lincoln field.  In 1986, George
founded the annual Lincoln Colloquium, recognized by many as the most
significant annual event focusing on Lincoln scholarship.  He instituted
numerous other programs and annual events in the park, including the Lincoln
Heritage lectures, the musical dramatization "Abraham Lincoln: A Biography in
Words and Music," and the Lincoln essay competition.  He authored numerous
articles and co-authored a history of the park entitled "Seventeen Years at
Eighth and Jackson."  George was honored for his many accomplishments,
including numerous special achievement awards, the Midwest Regional Director's
Award for Resource Management, and the Service's Appleman Judd Award. 
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. George (Rose) Painter and family at 9
Trailridge Lane, Springfield, IL 62704.  Donations may be made to Saint John's
Hospice, 800 East Carpenter Street, Springfield, IL 62769, or the George
Painter Memorial Fund for History, to be established to sponsor nationally
recognized speakers for the Lincoln Colloquium.  The latter may be sent to the
park.  [Larry Blake, Deputy Superintendent, LIHO]

95-784 - Glen Canyon (Arizona/Utah) - Concession Employee Fatality

A search for concession employee D.P., 25, was begun on December 16th
when it was learned that he hadn't returned from a boat trip on the lake. 
D.P. was last seen when he launched his boat from Stateline ramp on December
14th; he was not found to be missing until his roommate returned from a trip on
the 16th.  D.P.'s boat was found in a cove behind Castle Rock.  Although tied
to a rock, it was partially submerged.  D.P.'s shoes were found in the boat. 
His shirt and socks had been wrapped around the bellows to plug leaks.  The
search was called off at dark and resumed the following morning.  D.P.'s body
was found on Antelope Island across from the Wahweap Marina at 11 a.m. - about
two-and-a-half miles from his boat.  He was clad in jeans and a ski vest.  It
appears that D.P. had had trouble with his boat, was unable to repair it,
and had attempted to swim to the main channel.  D.P. and his family have
been long-time residents of Page; his mother and brother are both concession
employees, and his father retired from the Bureau of Reclamation.  Close to 100
Page residents and concession employees assisted the limited park staff and
county officials in the search.  [Tomie Lee, CR, GLCA]

95-785 - President's Park (D.C.) - Demonstration

On the afternoon of December 30th, Park Police officers arrested 17 members of
a group called the Atlantic Life Community for conducting a demonstration on
the White House sidewalk.  Members of the right-to-life group laid down in a
restricted zone and poured blood on themselves and the sidewalk.  They were
charged with violating the restricted zone and defacing government property. 
Hazardous materials precautions were utilized during the arrest and clean-up. 
[Bill Lynch, LES, NCAO]

95-786 - Petrified Forest (Arizona) - Theft of Government Vehicle

A man driving a van from California to Arizona picked up a hitchhiker near the
state line on December 7th.  The hitchhiker, later identified as R.M.,
a career criminal, subsequently threatened the driver and made him
pull of Interstate 40 at the Petrified Forest exit.  The driver complied, but
fled on foot with the van's keys after stopping.  He walked seven miles before
calling the county sheriff's office for assistance.  Meanwhile, R.M. forced
open a gate to the park maintenance yard and stole a GSA Ford Ranger pickup
truck and a small generator.  The truck was found to be missing at 7 a.m. on
the 8th, and a description was entered into NCIC.  Later that afternoon, a
Forest Service investigator called the park to advise that an informant had
told him of a government-owned generator that had been offered to him for sale. 
The investigator followed-up on the lead, found the GSA truck at a motel in
Albuquerque, ran a check on it, learned that it was stolen, and notified the
park.  Surveillance of the area was begun.  R.M. returned that evening and
got in the truck and left before Forest Service officers could stop him.  They
pursued him, but backed off when speeds became excessive.  R.M. drove
through several traffic control signs and devices until he struck another
vehicle.  The truck rolled over, and R.M. was partially ejected.  R.M.
was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the other
vehicle suffered only minor injuries.  Investigation revealed that R.M. has
a 25-year criminal history, that he'd been arrested 25 times, and that he
operated under at least eight other names.  Charges are pending.  [Pat Quinn,
CR, PEFO]

95-787 - Glen Canyon (Arizona/Utah) - Drug Arrest

Ranger Chris Cessna came upon a man having mechanical problems with his vehicle
at the Glen Canyon Bridge pullout on Highway 89 on December 3rd.  Cessna asked
the man - later identified as L.G. - if he needed any assistance, and
noted that L.G. was very nervous.  When Cessna asked for identification,
L.G. produced a driver's license from Sonora, Mexico.  The license proved to
be altered, and Cessna found that L.G. also lacked papers permitting him to
be in the United States legally.  A consent search of his vehicle was conducted
with the assistance of Arizona state police.  Four packages wrapped in duct
tape were found in a hidden compartment; they contained 20 pounds of marijuana. 
L.G. was arrested and his vehicle was seized.  He will be prosecuted in
Coconino County court.  [Tomie Lee, CR, GLCA]

95-788 - Great Smokies (North Carolina/Tennessee) - Rescue

On the evening of December 28th, rangers at Cosby received a first-hand report
of a young male backpacker vomiting blood and experiencing severe abdominal
pain at the Tri-Corner Knob shelter on the Appalachian Trail.  Rangers George
Minnigh and Steve Kloster reached N.M., 19, at around 3 a.m. and
began treatment while additional rescue personnel completed the 11-mile climb
to the shelter.  Four employees had to be called back from furlough status to
form a marginally adequate rescue team.  An Army Blackhawk helicopter was
dispatched from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and picked up an NPS spotter before
flying to the scene.  N.M. and park medic Kloster were winched into the ship
and taken to the University of Tennessee hospital, where N.M. subsequently had
his appendix removed.  [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM]

95-789 - Canaveral (Florida) - Marijuana Eradication

A duck hunter reported finding a large patch of marijuana growing on an old
dike road across from a remote beach area in the park during the first week of
December.  The site was located in an area jointly managed by the NPS and Fish
and Wildlife Service.  A joint surveillance task force monitored the site for
four days.  No suspects were observed, so the operation was terminated and 176
plants were seized.  [Bill DeHart, CR, CANA]

95-790 - George Washington Parkway (Virginia) - MVA with Fatality

K.B. was killed in a one-vehicle accident on the ramp from Boundary
Channel Drive to Washington Boulevard on the afternoon of December 18th. 
Investigation revealed that he'd lost control of his vehicle on the wet
pavement, skidded off the road, and struck a tree.  [Bill Lynch, LES, NCAO]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Golden Gate (California) - Stream Damages

Precipitation from the severe storm that struck the West Coast in early
December created a major sink hole in the Sea Cliff area, which, as was shown
on national news, led to the spectacular collapse of a $2 million home.  The
700,000 cubic yards of sand, vegetation and building materials from that sink
hole washed into Lobos Creek in the Presidio.  Lobos Creek is one of the last
free-flowing streams in San Francisco and provides the water supply for the
Presidio.  The failure of the 100-year-old storm and sanitary sewer which
caused the sink hole may have in turn been caused by the drilling of a 14-foot
diameter storm sewer tunnel which begins under the Presidio.  The drilling was
done by the city and county of San Francisco.  Under the special use permit
which authorized the excavation of the tunnel, they are responsible for all
damages which occurred to federal property int he Presidio, and have since
agreed to hire a stream hydrology/restoration consultant acceptable to the park
to assess damages to the creek and develop a creek restoration plan.  Creek
flows are being reestablished up and downstream of the massive silt dam.  The
hole has been completely filled and stabilized.  Ansel Adams' childhood home,
which was perched over the crater, has been saved.  [R. Hadley, Environmental
Protection Specialist, GOGA]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) 36 CFR Revisions - The notice which appeared in the December 15th Morning
Report regarding revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations pertained to 36
CFR 1.2, not to Part 2, which won't be published for some time yet.  Please
note that the deadline for internal comments was in error; it should have read
February 1st, not March 1st.  [Russ Wilson, Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

OBSERVATIONS

"There are certain values in our landscape that ought to be sustained against
destruction or impairment, though their worth cannot be expressed in money
terms.  They are essential to our 'life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness;' 
this nation of ours is not so rich it can afford to lose them; it is still rich
enough to afford to preserve them."

                                     Newton B. Drury, Director, 1940-1951

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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