NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Thursday, February 29, 1996 - Leap Day

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

                           *** NOTICE ***

Today is the first day of the Morning Report in its new, modified format. 
Short descriptions of the purpose and contents of each section will appear in
the next few editions - and intermittently thereafter - in order to provide
reminders of the types of submissions we are seeking.

INCIDENTS

[This section contains reports of incidents required under reporting criteria
issued in December, 1995, by the Associate Director, Park Operations and
Education].

96-84 - Mount Rainier (Washington) - Storm Damage

A wind storm with sustained winds of 40 to 45 mph and gusts in excess of 60 mph
struck the area from Nisqually to Longmire yesterday.  Wind gusts reached 90
mph at Crystal Mountain in the northeast area of the park.  The storm was still
in progress at the time of the report, and forecasters were calling for a
continuation of very windy conditions through today.  Many trees in the
Longmire area were blown over, and some struck structures, including the admin
and Triplex buildings.  At least one residential unit was hit; the extent of
damage is unknown.  The road from the Nisqually entrance to Longmire was closed
to the public for the day.  Only required employee travel was being permitted. 
Power lines are down at several locations.  [Lance Gillespie, MORA]

96-85 - Redwood (California) - Storm Damage

The unusually heavy rains which have fallen along the coast over the past few
weeks have causes several slides which have affected roads in and near the
park.  A 100 foot section of Coastal Drive cracked and dropped as much as two
feet in some places, causing closure of the road for nearly a week. 
Maintenance employees used 435 tons of fill to repair it.  A slide blocked a
110 foot section of Murphy Memorial Drive just outside the park.  The drive
provides the only access road to the park's maintenance facility at Requa. 
Although county crews cleared the slide off the highway, continuing instability
mandated imposition of a 15 ton weight restriction and closure of the road to
all but one way traffic.  The park has therefore had to move its heavy
equipment off-site and has had to shuttle supplies and materials to the
maintenance area.  Permanent repairs will not be possible until weather
conditions improve.  Minor slides continue in and around the park.  [Joe Lusa,
CM, and Bob Martin, CR, REDW]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

[This section includes - but is NOT limited to - reports on notable resource
management projects or the attainment of significant benchmarks in such
projects; new threatened and endangered species listings, significant changes
in status to listed species, or new threats to listed species; significant
lawsuit pertaining to park natural or cultural resources; newly discovered
threat to park resources; reintroduction of a species to a park; any resource
management action or action affecting park resources which is inherently
controversial].

No reports today.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

[This section contains brief summaries of important, practical operational
information which needs to be conveyed to the field or FROM parks to other
field areas].

o Fire Conditions - Fire conditions which have occurred so far this year
have prompted the Federal Wildland Fire and Aviation Safety Team to 
disseminate a safety warning.  During the ten days between February 14th
and 23rd, several fire entrapments and burnovers of volunteer
firefighters on engines and dozers occurred in Oklahoma, Texas and
Arkansas.  Several injuries occurred; some victims are still
hospitalized.  A fire behavior assessment completed on February 22nd
warns of high rates of spread and spot fires "taking off" in the area. 
As of late February, year-to-date fires jumped from 1,420 in 1995 to
6,615 in 1996; the cumulative acreage increased from 17,349 to 175,955. 
The team advises wildland fire personnel to prepare for mobilization,
"both mentally and physically;" to bring their fire qualifications up to
standards; to prepare their personal protective equipment; to assure that
their local pre-season preparedness programs are on schedule; and to
think safety in all ways.  [Doug Erskine, F&AM, NPS, NIFC]

MEMORANDA

[This section provides brief summaries of important memoranda which have been
issued from WASO to the field].

"Special Park Use Fees", sent by Deputy Director Reynolds to all field
directors and superintendents via cc:Mail on February 27th.  Prohibits
imposition of "new" special use or "new" interpretive fees until further notice
due to sensitive discussions with Congressional committees and others on fee
legislation.  

EXCHANGE

[This section contains requests for and offers of information, material,
resources or assistance.  Anyone may make a submission, as long as the
submission is within the context of NPS operations].

o Boston Whaler - Olympic is looking for a surplus patrol boat for its Lake
Crescent operation.  They're interested in a 17 to 22 foot Boston Whaler
patrol boat.  No engine is needed, but the hull needs to be in fairly
good condition.  Contact Dan Pontbriand via cc:Mail or at either 360-928-
3380 or 360-452-4501. [Dan Pontbriand, OLYM]

o Ammunition - The Department of Interior has a consolidated ammunition
contract which they've negotiated with various manufacturers to obtain
the lowest possible price for ammunition.  A price list has been prepared
which all parks are encouraged to use, as substantial purchases may
result in additional price reductions.  The list may be obtained from Bob
Marriott in RAD/WASO by sending him a cc:Mail note or calling 202-208-
4206. [Bob Marriott, RAD/WASO]

OBSERVATIONS

[This section contains observations pertaining to either the National Park
Service or closely related issues, such as wilderness and conservation, and
should include the author and the date and source of the quote].  

It's Leap Day, which is as good excuse as any to inject a little levity into
the Morning Report.  We accordingly step briefly away from the running series
of quotes on particular parks to reprint a wonderful little ditty called
"Economy" composed by an anonymous Forest Service ranger in 1911 and provided
by Mark Forbes in CCSSO.  It is as pertinent as it was then....


     "It started with the President a year or two ago,
     He said we must economize to really make a show.


     He appointed a committee to see where to begin,
     For Uncle Sam's in poverty, he really needs the tin.

     His reputation in the past around the country went
     'A dollar spent to save ten cents' was money quite well spent.

     But now a change is taking place, expenses get the knife.
     Economy, economy 1s the watchword of our life.

     The word was handed down by Taft to all his right hand men,
     And now it's come to you and me and all who push a pen.

     A meeting in El Paso to talk economy,
     Was attended by the great Moguls of District Number Three.

     Now every one has had his say and gone back to the pines,
     We wonder where we'll get our pay without digging in the mines.

     But coming back to serious thought
     And the toils of our daily grind,
     Efficiency, efficiency is the word to be kept in mind."


Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please address requests for
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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