NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Thursday, February 8, 1996

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

96-40 - Cowpens (South Carolina) - Follow-up on Storm Impacts

The park was closed throughout last weekend due to loss of power to facilities
and the presence of many downed trees both in and around the park.  Park staff
estimates that between 1800 and 2000 pine trees were downed by ice, with many
falling across park roads and trails.  The park reopened Monday after power was
restored.  Trails and roadways were cleared by Tuesday afternoon.  The
assessment of long-term impacts has been begun.  Power company officials
estimate that over 300,000 people in the upstate and mountain areas of the
Carolinas were without power during the period.  [CR, COWP]

96-43 - Redwood (California) - Follow-up on Shipwreck

The remains of the "Clara III", which went aground in the park on the morning
of February 2nd, were burned at low tide later that day.  Salvageable items
were saved from the vessel's wreckage.  Resource management staff scoured
adjacent beaches, but were unable to find any evidence that any diesel fuel had
washed ashore.  Indications are that the fuel spill washed out to sea.  [Bob
Martin, CR, REDW]

96-47 - Upper Delaware (New York/Pennsylvania) - Assist; MVA

Interpretive chief Roy Given advised rangers of a motor vehicle in the Delaware
River about a half mile south of the Robeling Bridge on the afternoon of
February 2nd.  Danielle Inch had been driving south on Route 97, looking out
the passenger window, when she realized that her vehicle was going off the
road.  The vehicle ended up in the river, but Inch was able to get out and make
her way to shore through the 32 degree water.  Given stopped, provided aid, and
called for emergency assistance.  Rangers Daniels and Reuber arrived within
minutes.  Inch was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated and
released.  The accident is under investigation.  [CRO, UPDE]

96-48 - Redwood (California) - Apparent Suicide

Ranger Steve White found an apparent abandoned vehicle in a parking area off
Bald Hills Road on February 3rd and began an investigation into the whereabouts
of the owner.  A registration check revealed that the owner was a 27-year-old
soldier from Fort Hood, Texas.  White subsequently learned that the solider,
Charles Steffensen, was originally from Shasta, California, that he'd recently
become despondent over an impending divorce, that he had gone AWOL, and that
he'd threatened suicide to his estranged wife before leaving Texas.  Rangers
and local officers conducted a search of the area the following day and found
Steffensen's body about a mile and a half down the trail near Redwood Creek. 
He had apparently taken his own life with a small caliber handgun.  [Bob
Martin, CR, REDW]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

OBSERVATIONS

Today's observation was sent along by Tom Danton at Saguaro:

"Go into the Parks and get their encouragement.  Among the serene and steadfast
scenes, you will find the paths of peace and a repose that is sweeter than
sleep.  If you are dulled and dazed with the fever and the fret, or weary and
worn, tottering under burdens too heavy to bear, go back to the old outdoor
home...You will come into your own."

                                     Enos Mills, "Your National Parks",
                                     1916

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the Morning Report to your servicing hub coordinator.

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

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