NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-123 - Wupatki NM (Arizona) - Event

On Easter Sunday, March 30th, the staff at Wupatki was contacted repeatedly
by reporters from the network headquarters of both ABC and CBS who wanted to
know about reports that a UFO would soon be landing in the park.  The
reporters cited Internet messages that said, among other things, that the
deceased leader of "Heaven's Gate," the cult which recently committed group
suicide in San Diego, would appear in a shaft of light and welcome others
onto the spacecraft.  One reporter made reference to an event that had
occurred earlier in March at Wupatki that was organized by the "Earth Contact
Team,"  which is based in Sacramento.  The organizer of that event, which
attracted only three people, was Dr. R.J.B., who is also involved
with ACCET, the Academy of Clinical Close Encounter Therapists.  The news
media have reported this story nationally.  Increased patrols will continue
throughout the park, but there have been no unusual occurrences to date.  
[Kim Watson, CR, FLAG, 3/31]

97-124 - Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia/North Carolina) - Abduction; Robbery
     
On March 29th, a Wells Fargo van which reportedly had over $8 million in
currency on board was stolen in Jacksonville, Florida, apparently by Wells
Fargo employee P.J.  P.J. reportedly abducted two co-workers,
T.B. and D.S.  He left T.B. tied up at P.J.'s home in the
Jacksonville area, then drove to the Blue Ridge Parkway a day later, where he
reportedly handcuffed and shackled D.S. to a tree at milepost 376, north of
Asheville, before leaving the area.  D.S. said that he managed to free
himself with the aid of a Swiss army knife, then flagged down a parkway
visitor, who in turn contacted the Buncombe County sheriff's dispatch office
at about 12:30 p.m.  D.S. contacted ranger Martin Golden shortly thereafter. 
Golden began an investigation in conjunction with county deputies,
Jacksonville police, and FBI agents in Asheville and Jacksonville.  The
stolen Wells Fargo van was recovered near the police station in downtown
Asheville on the morning of March 31st.  T.B. and D.S. are being
questioned.  P.J., a white male in his early 30s with dirty blonde hair,
last seen wearing a blue Wells Fargo uniform shirt, is still being sought.  
[CRO, BLRI, 3/31]

97-125 - National Capital Parks Central (D.C.) - Rescue
     
On Saturday, March 29th, a sudden and violent thunderstorm accompanied by
strong winds swept through the Washington area, imperiling boaters in the
Tidal Basin who were caught in rough waters.  Several boaters attempted to
take refuge under a bridge when their boats began to capsize in the strong
winds.  A child was tossed from one boat into the water and was rescued by a
citizen who jumped into the water and pulled the child to the shore.  Several
Park Police officers commandeered the concessioner's boat and towed five
boaters to safety.  Their occupants were treated for exposure.  [Bill Lynch,
LES, NCR, 3/31]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

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.

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: Hearing on the following
bills: H.R. 765, wild horses at Cape Lookout NS; H.R. 708, grazing study at
Grand Teton NP; H.R. 136, names wilderness and visitor center at Everglades
NP.

Tuesday, April 15

House National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee: Oversight hearing on
implementation of the 1964 Wilderness Act, focusing on BLM and USFS
wilderness.

Thursday, April 24

House National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee: Oversight hearing on
National Park Service budget issues and to receive a GAO report on budget
formulation with the National Park Service.

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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