NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, March 19, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-103 - George Washington Birthplace (Virginia) - MVA; Employee Injury

Ranger Andrew Packett was driving to work on a rural county road on Monday,
March 17th, when he was involved in a head-on automobile accident.  He
sustained multiple injuries and was medevaced to Fairfax Hospital in Falls
Church.  The driver of the other vehicle, M.L.C., 19, of Colonial
Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Packett suffered multiple broken
bones, but no apparent injuries to internal organs.  He was in surgery from
around 3:30 p.m. on the 17th to 1 a.m. on the 18th.  Additional surgery will
also be required.  Packett is currently in stable condition in the hospital's
intensive care unit.  Cards can be sent to him at the following address:
Fairfax Hospital, c/o Andrew Packett, ICU-2, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church,
VA 22042.  The cause of the accident is still under investigation by Virginia
State Police.  [Larry Trombello, CR, GEWA, 3/18]

97-104 - Southwest Support Office (New Mexico) - Assist; NAGPRA Case

During the fall of 1995, the NPS joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs in
"Operation Breaklink," an investigation into the illegal sale and trafficking
of Hopi cultural and sacred objects.  The NPS provided technical assistance,
undercover support, equipment and funding.  About 30 individuals have been
arrested to date.  On March 10th, an Arizona grand jury handed down
indictments against R.T. and E.C.  R.T. was indicted
on 26 felony counts for ARPA and NAGPRA violations, theft from tribal lands,
conspiracy and interstate trafficking in stolen property; E.C. was
indicted on 23 counts of conspiring to commit NAGPRA violations and theft of
property.  R.T. is currently on probation from a NAGPRA conviction that
resulted from a separate ARPA task force investigation.  A preliminary
probation revocation hearing was conducted in Albuquerque last week.  [Phil
Young, SA, SSO, 3/13]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Guadalupe Mountains NP (Texas) - Controlled Burns Initiated

The park conducted it's first ever controlled burns last week.  Two 20-acre
blocks in the lower part of McKittrick Canyon were burned in accordance with
the park's recently approved fire management plan.  Several other burns are
planned in the canyon and elsewhere in the park over the next couple of
weeks.  Participating were employees from the park, Carlsbad Caverns, Mesa
Verde and Bandelier.  [Richard McCamant, GUMO]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Ranger Receives National Award - The National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund has named New River Gorge NR ranger Charles Mitchem as the
"Officer of the Month" for distinguished service.  Mitchem was cited for an
incident which occurred last year and was reported as follows in the Morning
Report: "Ranger Charles Mitchem was en route from the state police office in
Hinton to his ranger station on November 17th when he received and responded
to an urgent call concerning police officers involved in a shooting incident
with a barricaded individual in Hinton.  Shortly after Mitchem arrived on the
scene, a city police officer, Robbie Maddy, was shot five times by the
barricaded assailant.  Maddy was able to crawl about 25 yards before Mitchem
and a state trooper pulled him to safety behind a house.  During the period
while officers were awaiting a state police tactical team, Mitchem was able
to make voice contact with the assailant and convince him to put down his
weapon and surrender."  Nominations for this award may be sent to the
memorial fund.  For further information, contact them at 202-737-3400 (phone)
or 202-737-3405 (fax).  [Greg Jackson, SAMO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

Severe Weather Closures - The Statue of Liberty is looking for SOPs or other
operational procedures concerning closure of all or a portion of a park due
to severe weather.  They are attempting to develop an SOP which would provide
guidance as to when to close an area due to high winds or electrical storms. 
Contact Scott Pfeninger at STLI Ranger Activities or 212-363-7779.

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.

Wednesday, March 19

House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment: Hearing on recent
flooding in California.

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.  Second of
two hearings; testifying in the first were NPCA, NPF, ANPR, National Tour
Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, and former Director James
Ridenour.  Witness: Director Kennedy and associate directors.

Saturday, March 22

House National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee: Field hearing in El
Portal, California, on NPS plans for restoration of Yosemite NP following
this winter's floods.  Witness: Superintendent Griffin.

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).

Thursday, May 1

Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee: Hearing on Department of
Interior FY 98 budget request.  Witness: Secretary Babbitt.

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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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