NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, March 7, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

96-707 - Oregon Caves NM (Oregon) - Follow-up on Storm Impacts

The park, which has been closed since January 1st due to damage caused by
runoff from heavy rains and snow, will reopen tomorrow, March 8th.  The park
was originally scheduled to reopen on March 1st after the Oregon Department
of Highways completed repairs to severely damaged sections of State Highway
46, which provides the only access to the site.  On February 28th, however,
state bridge inspectors declared the Lake Creek Bridge unsafe and again
closed the highway until temporary repairs could be completed.  Vehicle
weight and size restrictions will apply and will limit access to the park
until late April when a detour bridge will be completed.  The park is still
operating on an temporary water supply and is awaiting word on funding for
replacement of the main water system intake, which was destroyed in the
December flooding.  [Superintendent, ORCA, 3/6]

97-80 - Yellowstone NP (Wyoming) - Follow-up on Search; Employee Death

The search for a missing park employee and a visiting scientist in an
avalanche area near Heart Lake led to the discovery yesterday afternoon of
the body of Roderick "Rick" Hutchinson, park research geologist, in the
primary search area on the northeast flank of Factory Hill under about four
feet of snow.  Geologist Diane Dustman, 37, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts,
who had been monitoring geothermal features in the area with Hutchinson, is
still missing.  Search efforts were discontinued at dusk in deteriorating
weather and will resume this morning.  Rick Hutchinson began working for the
National Park Service in Yellowstone as a seasonal interpretive specialist in
1970.  He received a career-conditional appointment as a geothermal
specialist in 1973, and was promoted to geologist in 1976.  Rick was a
Yellowstone institution, one of those rare, authentic experts who could be
counted on to assist visitors and researchers alike, and who was totally
devoted to the study and protection of Yellowstone's geothermal resources. 
Rick was known by scientists throughout the world for his keen familiarity
with the park's geothermal features, and was the author of many publications,
reports, and papers on the park's unique geologic wonders.  His wife,
Jennifer J. Whipple, is also an employee of the park.  Plans for a memorial
service will be announced at a later time.  [Mike Murray, ACR, YELL, 3/6]

97-85 - Mammoth Cave NP (Kentucky) - Storm Impacts

During the first three days of March, the park received a total of nine
inches of rain.  The Green River rose to a height of 50 feet above normal, or
20 feet above flood stage.  The river was expected to crest on Wednesday
morning.  Two campgrounds and associated structures were underwater at the
time of the report early on Wednesday, and several roads were closed due to
high water or erosion.  Both the Green River and Houchins ferries had to be
disconnected from their cable systems to prevent them from being washed away. 
The suspended ferry cables and A frames may require extensive repair and/or
replacement before the ferries can be returned to safe operation.  Localized
flash flooding occurred in many areas of the park, causing extensive damage
to trails and roads and severely eroding ditches.  It won't be possible to
determine the extent of the damage until waters recede.  The preliminary
estimate is a minimum of $100,000.  [Phil Veluzat, CR, MACA, 3/5]

97-86 - Guadalupe Mountains NP (Texas) - Search in Progress

A search is currently underway for 20-year-old S.Z. of Erie,
Pennsylvania, who was last seen at the Pine Springs visitor center around
noon on Wednesday, March 5th, when she parted company with her group from
Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  S.Z. had opted to hike alone rather
than accompany the group on a hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak. 
Employees from Guadalupe Mountains NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP have been
joined by units from the Border Patrol, Culberson County Sheriff's Office,
Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso Department of Emergency Services,
and Las Cruces Border Canine SAR team.  Approximately 65 ground searchers are
being assisted by a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety. 
The only clue at this point is that S.Z. signed the Pine Springs trailhead
register, indicating that she planned to hike up Tejas trail.  The register
is located at the starting point for several trails which branch off shortly
after leaving the trailhead.  S.Z. is reportedly in good health but is not
very athletic.  There is no indication that she planned to do anything other
than go on a hike.  She was reported to be wearing light clothing without a
jacket.  The weather has been good since then, with very light winds (rare
for the Guadalupes at this time of year).  Nighttime temperatures have been
just below the freezing point.  The IC is chief ranger Jan Wobbenhorst. 
[Richard McCamant, GUMO, 3/6]

97-87 - Redwood N&SP (California) - MVA with Rescue

On the afternoon of February 26th, R.S., 29, lost control of
his vehicle in Del Norte Redwoods SP and plummeted 300 feet down an
embankment.  He and his wife were injured, but were able to use a cellular
phone to call for assistance.  Members of Del Norte County SAR, park
personnel, and representatives from the California Highway Patrol and local
fire departments made a semi-technical rescue.  R.S. was treated
and released; his wife was last reported in intensive care.  [Curt Vade Bon
Coeur, Area Ranger, REDW, 3/5]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No reports.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

FLETC Basic LE Class Nominations - It appears that several employees who were
nominated but not selected for the basic law enforcement class at FLETC which
just started have assumed that they will automatically be considered for the
class which begins on May 28th.  This is not the case.  A one-page nomination
form must still be submitted for the latter.  [Tom Cherry, NPS, FLETC]

MEMORANDA

No memoranda.

EXCHANGE

Brochure Fees - Saratoga NHP would like to hear from any park that charges a
fee for its NPS unigrid brochures.  Please reply directly to this message
with any information and your phone number or call Gina Johnson or Joe Craig
at (518) 664-9821.

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming weeks
on matters pertaining to the National Park Service.  For inquiries regarding
legislation pertaining to the NPS, please visit the Office of Legislative and
Congressional Affairs Website at http://www.nps.gov/legal, or contact the
main office at 202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate
legislative specialist.

Tuesday, March 11

House National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee: Oversight hearing on
federal funding of state Land and Water Conservation Fund Act programs.


Thursday, March 13 and Thursday, March 20

Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation:
Oversight hearing on the future of the National Park System to identify
needs, requirements and innovative programs that will insure the NPS will
continue to meet its responsibilities well into the next century. 

Thursday, April 10

House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee: Oversight hearing on the National
Park Service's FY 1998 budget request.

House National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee: Oversight hearing on
implementation of the 1964 Wilderness Act (with probable focus on BLM and
USFS wilderness areas).

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

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