NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, July 23, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

                            *** NOTICE ***

Regular, daily transmission of the Morning Report will resume on Friday, July
25th.

INCIDENTS

97-298 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Follow-up on Drowning
     
The body of R.E. was found in the Merced River on July 1st. 
R.E. had been missing since he was last seen while swimming on June 24th. 
His body was found submerged about one foot beneath the surface, where it was
caught between rocks in a whitewater chute in the middle of the river.  The
body was reached and recovered in a complex technical operation over a period
of two days. [Mark Harvey, PR, YOSE, 7/7]

97-335 - Gulf Coast Areas - Hurricane/Tropical Storm Danny

Two reports have been received on the impacts of Hurricane Danny, which was
downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it came ashore:

o Gulf Islands NS (FL/MI) - Areas just west of the park received between
20 and 30 inches of rain, and sustained winds of from 75 to 85 mph blew
throughout the area.  Damage assessments have begun in both the
Mississippi and Florida districts.  All roads in the Florida unit are
impassable due to sand.  Drifts are four to five feet deep and several
vehicles had to be abandoned after becoming stuck.  A contractor has
been hired to reopen roads and remove debris from the Ft. Pickens
campground.

o Jean Lafitte NHP&P (LA) - The park's hurricane action plan was put into
effect on July 17th when the storm moved ashore.  Jim Carson was IC. 
All materials, equipment and facilities were secured and the park was
closed until July 18th.  The tropical storm had only minimal impacts on
the park, as it received just an inch of rain and winds never exceeded
35 mph.  There was no damage to park resources or facilities, and the
park reopened on July 19th.

[JR Tomasovic, IC, GUIS, 7/20; Superintendent's Office, JELA, 7/21]

97-336 - Fort Scott NHS (KS) - Serious Employee Injury
     
Ranger Galen Ewing was seriously injured when he was hit by a truck while
off-duty on July 8th, and is currently hospitalized in critical condition
with a crushing chest injury, fractured skull and kidney damage.  Before
coming to Fort Scott, Ewing worked as a permanent at Independence NHP, Pea
Ridge NMP, and Fort Davis NHS.  He is currently in Freeman Hospital, 1102
West 32nd Street, First Floor ICU, Joplin, MO 64801.  Cards and letters of
encouragement would be appreciated.  [FOSC, 7/22]

97-337 - Hawaii Volcanoes (HI) - Eruption

Lava flows which were confined to the Puu O'o/Napau crater areas this spring
reached the top of the pali (escarpment) above the Waha'ula Heiau area of the
park coast on July 3rd.  On the 7th, flows reached the base of the pali and
once again began burning and covering the Akia coastal forest, further
fragmenting this endemic plant community.  On Friday, July 11th, the flow
continued across the flats and was less than a half mile above the heiau
area.  By July 12th, lava had reached the ocean less than 500 yards west of
the 700-year-old rock-walled structure.  The lava flows are located four
miles from the end of the Chain of Craters Road within the park and three
miles from the county side.  While providing exciting viewing in the evening,
the event is also attracting visitors who are hiking into the area unprepared
for the heat and rugged terrain.  Rangers were busy with visitor safety and
management problems related to visitors trying to access the flow over the
weekend of the 13th and 14th.  The greatest concern over this recent activity
is the threat to the Waha'ula Heiau.  The last time lava flowed up to and
around the heiau was in December of 1990.  It is one of the few remaining
major archeological resources left in the Kalapana coastal section of the
park.  Over the last eleven years, flows from the Puu O'o eruption have
covered thousands of archeological features and sites within the Kalapana
extension.  [Jim Martin, Superintendent, HAVO, 7/15]

97-338 - Hawaii Volcanoes (HI) - Aircraft Accident and Rescue

While doing contract flights for a park resource management project, pilot
David Okita of Volcano Heli-Tours overheard aircraft radio traffic indicating
that a  helicopter had just crashed in the Puu O'o vent of Kilauea Volcano. 
Okita picked up an initial rescue team of park rangers and flew them to the
Puu O'o vent area.  Team members found that a single engine bi-plane had gone
down about a mile northeast of the vent just outside of the park boundary. 
Two victims were found near the crash site and were medevaced by helicopter.
The third victim had already been transported to the hospital by a private
tour helicopter that was in the area at the time of the crash.  The pilot was
conducting a commercial tour of the active lava area when the plane went
down.  The initial investigation indicates that the aircraft lost its prop
near the volcanic vent and was able to make a partially controlled landing on
the lava field.  The aircraft sustained major damage.  The FAA and Hawaii
county police are investigating.  [Jim Martin, Superintendent, HAVO, 7/16]

97-339 - Glen Canyon NRA (UT/AZ) - Fourth of July Weekend Summary

Interagency law enforcement efforts over the Fourth of July weekend resulted
in 58 arrests parkwide, with a total of 388 case incidents reported.  Serious
EMS calls were limited to 38 incidents, and there were no fatalities.  The
safe weekend and relatively low stats were credited in large part to
interagency cooperation and an expanded seasonal staff.  (CRO, GLCA, 7/10)

97-340 - Great Smoky Mountains (TN/NC) - Rescue
     
On July 2nd and 3rd, M.W., a 55-year-old backpacker from Gainesville,
Florida, was evacuated from the park's backcountry in a major, 12-hour-long
operation.  M.W. suffered from debilitating stomach cramps and vomiting for
more than 24 hours at the Appalachian Trail shelter at Silers Bald before a
medic was able to reach her.  Her condition by that time was too deteriorated
to permit her to sit on a horse, and helicopter evacuation was not possible
at that location.  After further consultation with medical control and park
medic Dave Panebaker, a litter team was assembled for the five mile carryout. 
Twenty-seven rescuers, including employees from park operating divisions,
SCAs and VIPs, worked throughout the night to evacuate her.  M.W. was
transported to C.J. Harris Hospital, where exploratory surgery was deemed
likely.  Ranger Garrett Moynihan was IC.  [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 7/3]

97-341 - Little River Canyon NRA (AL) - Rescue

On July 2nd, rangers received a report that kayaker J.T. had gone
over the Little River Falls and had been knocked unconscious.  Seasonal
ranger John Bittner, who was off duty at the time, happened to be swimming
below the falls when the accident occurred.  He saw J.T.
underwater and upside down in his kayak, and it soon became apparent that
J.T. was in trouble.  Bittner dove into the water, pulled the
unconscious J.T. to the surface, and established an airway.  Bittner
then pulled J.T. to shore, where he regained consciousness before
rescue units arrived.  J.T. refused medical attention and left under
his own power.  The falls are popular for experienced kayakers and can be
negotiated at higher water levels.  J.T. said that he had checked the
water level and had been over the falls several times previously.   [Dwight
Dixon, CR, LIRI, 7/4]

97-342 - Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC)- Search

On July 7th, the park received a report of a missing person and possible
abduction in the area of Afton Mountain.  The reporting party said that he
was hiking with L.P. on the Appalachian Trail.  He left her briefly
to get water; when he returned, she was gone.  The man who made the report
has an extensive criminal history which includes violence and distribution of
drugs, and was also a suspect in a murder under similar circumstances last
year.  L.P. reportedly was without footwear, suffering kidney problems,
and under the influence of methamphetamines.  The incident was handled as a
law enforcement search.  Rangers, county deputies and dog teams were deployed
in an effort to find her.  When located near Afton Mountain, L.P.
attempted to flee from a deputy.  During the subsequent interview,
investigators determined that L.P. and her companion were dropped off on
the parkway with the intention of breaking into several area residences. 
When they heard voices, they ran into the woods and became lost.  L.P.
had walked approximately ten miles on the Appalachian Trail and through
adjacent areas wearing only a tee shirt and a bathing suit bottom.  When
found, she appeared to still be heavily under the influence of drugs.  The
criminal investigation is being handled by the Nelson County sheriff's
office.  The search was coordinated by district ranger Bruce Bytnar and park
personnel. [CRO, BLRI, 7/10]

97-343 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Rescue 

On the evening of July 6th, P.P., 74, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, fell
approximately 40 feet from the top of the Dunloup Creek waterfall and landed
in the creek below.  A friend who was with P.P. found him semi-conscious in
the creek, held his head out of the water, and attempted to drag him to
shore.  Ranger Jim Light responded within minutes of the accident and lead
the rescue effort with other responding rangers and local EMS agencies. 
P.P., who suffered a laceration to the head and multiple abrasions on the
face, was stabilized and evacuated up a steep embankment to a waiting
ambulance.  He was transported to a local hospital and was in stable
condition at the time of the report.  [Rick Brown, Protection Unit Leader,
NERI, 7/7].

97-344 - Chickasaw NRA (OK) - Car Clouting Arrest

Rangers conducting a surveillance operation at the Point boat launch ramp in
the pre-dawn hours of July 6th spotted a group of five individuals in the
area, two of whom were seen entering boats.  When the group left the parking
area, rangers stopped their vehicle and arrested F.C., 19, and
D.V., 17, both of Dallas, Texas.  Each was charged with tampering
with a vessel.  Other state charges, including felony possession of
marijuana, fishing without a license, dumping, possession of an intoxicating
beverage by a minor, and gift of an alcoholic beverage to a minor were
brought against F.C..  D.V.'s wife and two juveniles were released. 
Further investigation revealed that both men are involved in gang activity in
the Dallas area and have criminal records.  F.C. was also wanted on a warrant
from that city.  Bond for him was set at $56,000.  [Len Weems, CR, CHIC, 7/8]

97-345 - Boston NHP (MA) - Larceny

A larceny from the U.S.S. Constitution maintenance and repair facility was
reported to rangers on June 4th.  Stolen during the previous night were two
multi-channel Motorola radios with a charging base and a cellular phone.  The
total value of the stolen items was placed at $2,000.  After interviewing a
number of facility employees, ranger Glenn Van Neil was able to determine
that a juvenile had been seen in the area where the items were stolen on the
afternoon of the 4th.  Through a lengthy investigation, which involved the
state's Department of Youth Services (DYS) and Cambridge police, Van Neil
located the juvenile and recovered the stolen property.  The juvenile was
turned over to the custody of DYS officials.  [Mark Vagos, CR, BOST, 7/10]

97-346 - National Capital Parks East (DC) - Homicide Arrests
     
On Sunday, July 6th, city officers captured fugitive E.M., who was
wanted in connection with the homicide of R.N.M.  R.N.M.'s body was
found adjacent to Suitland Parkway on January 5th.  Park Police officers had
previously arrested Leonard Morgan in connection with the homicide and
charged him with murder, arson and conspiracy.  [Bill Larson, RLES, NCRO,
7/22]

97-347 - Santa Monica Mountains NRA (CA) - Pipe Bomb
     
The remains of a small detonated pipe bomb were found in the parking lot at
the Peter Strauss Ranch early on the morning of July 5th.  It appeared the
pipe bomb was used to blow the padlock off the gate entering the parking lot. 
A nearby resident said that he'd heard what sounded like a vehicle accident
near the gate in the early hours of July 5th; his wife reported hearing what
sounded like gun shots shortly after midnight on July 4th.  No other pipe
bombs were found in the park, nor had the county sheriff received any reports
of pipe bombs in the area.  The investigation continues.  [Jon Dick, SAMO,
7/7]

97-348 - George Rogers Clark NHP (IN)- Special Event
     
From June 26th thorough June 29th, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans'
Memorial wall was on display in the park.  The 260-foot-long replica was
positioned on the park mall between the Clark Memorial and the Lincoln
Memorial Bridge.  Items left at the wall at the memorial in Washington were
on loan to the park and were viewed by thousands in the park visitor center. 
An estimated 54,400 people visited the park during the four days that the
wall was on display.  Vincennes city police and the Knox County sheriff's
office provided assistance during the event.  No incidents were reported. 
[Frank Doughman, CR, GERO, 7/3] 

97-349 - Fort McHenry NM&HS (MD) - Special Events

Vice President Gore flew in and departed from Fort McHenry en route to
meetings in Baltimore on July 1st.  The vice president was greeted in the
park by the local congressional representative and the mayor of Baltimore. 
President Clinton flew out of the park on July 3rd after attending an Orioles
baseball game in Baltimore.  The park was closed to the public for over six
hours during the arrivals and departures.  Park staff coordinated the visits
with the Secret Service and numerous law enforcement agencies.  The events
took place without incident. [Rick Nolan, CR, FOMC, 7/3]

97-350 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Special Event

"A Prairie Home Companion," the national radio show featuring Garrison
Keillor, was broadcast live from the Old Faithful Lodge recreation hall on
Saturday, July 5th.  Three hundred tickets to the show were issued through a
lottery held several weeks ago and 60 tickets were issued on a first-come,
first-served basis on the morning of the 5th.  Over 100 people lined up for
the 60 tickets, but all were eventually accommodated in the lodge for the
show.  About 550 people attended the program.  Approximately 40 park staff
were on duty to assist with crowd control, parking, seating and any incidents
that might occur.  Everything went smoothly.  [Marsha Karle, PIO, YELL, 7/8]

97-351 - Wolf Trap Farm Park (VA) - Special Event

Vice President Al Gore, with family and friends, enjoyed the final Wolf Trap
performance of "Riverdance" on the evening of July 6th.  There were no
unusual occurrences or problems.  A total of over 96,000 patrons attended the
15 performances held over a 12-day period in the park - the longest running
performance in Wolf Trap's history.  [Bill Crockett, CR, WOTR, 7/8]

                   [Additional reports pending...]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Arches NP (UT) - California Condor Sighting

On July 7th, a park visitor observed a California condor flying near the
park's visitor center.  The condor was attacked by a pair of golden eagles
nesting nearby, forcing it to land in an alcove near the main park road.  The
visitor identified the condor from past work she had done in California with
the condors.  The park then contacted field biologist Shawn Farry, who was
with The Peregrine Fund condor team working in Marble Canyon, Arizona.  Park
personnel monitored the condor for five hours while Farry was driving from
Marble Canyon.  The golden eagles attacked the condor four more times during
that period, forcing it to land each time.  Both the eagles and the condor
disappeared from sight over the cliffs later that afternoon.  The condor was
positively identified as #49 from the original group of six condors that were
released at the Vermillion Cliffs in December of 1996.  Farry arrived in the
evening with radio tracking equipment, but was unable to pick up any signal
from condor #49's radio transmitter either that evening or the next day. 
This sighting at Arches was approximately 175 miles from the original release
site, where the condor had last been seen three days before, and is the
farthest afield from the release site that a condor has been seen.  Farry
spotted condor #49 on July 10th at the Vermillion Cliffs release site and
confirmed that it was in good shape.  [Gary Salamacha, ARCH]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Demo Fee Program Reactions - In order to evaluate public response to the
recreational fee demonstration program, participating parks are asked to send
copies of all related public correspondence directly to the national fee
program office in WASO Ranger Activities by the 15th of each month.  This
request has been issued formally through a memorandum from WASO to all
regional directors.  Such correspondence should include letters or e-mail
written by the public, comment sheets or cards completed by visitors, and
letters to the editor written by private citizens.  All correspondence will
be reviewed by the cooperative park studies unit of the University of
Minnesota.  Please send correspondence by fax to 202-208-6756 to the
attention of Tim Stone, or mail submissions to NPS, Ranger Activities
Division, Mail Stop 7408, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC  20240, Attn: Tim
Stone.

Ranger Activities Council Meeting - The executive summary of the first
meeting of the Servicewide Ranger Activities Council (RAC), which met in
Boston over three days from June 17th to the 19th, is now available for
dissemination.  To obtain a copy of the summary, address a cc:Mail message to
Dennis Burnett at NP-WASO-POPS and enter the phrase RACEXSUM on the subject
line.  No message needs to be included.  The computer will automatically
retrieve the document and send it to you. [Tony Bonanno, SWSO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

DWI Prosecutions - The assistant U.S. attorney who prosecutes cases for
Buffalo NR has informed the park that charges for refusal to submit to  a
blood alcohol test (36 CFR 4.23(b)(2)) cannot be filed if the violator
refuses at the local jail where the test is traditionally administered. The
prosecutor claims the refusal must occur on NPS property for the charge to be
valid, even though the violator is under arrest for a DWI that did occur on
NPS property.  If the violator initially agrees to the test and then later
refuses at the jail, rangers cannot file the "refusal" charge.  The park
would like to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences, and what, if
anything, can be done to rectify the problem. Responses should be sent to Bob
O. Howard via cc:Mail at NP-BUFF, or your can call him at 870-741-5443
extension 112.

                                *  *  *  *  *

The Morning Report has been posted intermittently since Thursday, June 26th. 
This is the sixth edition transmitted turning that period.  The other
issuances were on July 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 18th.  As noted above, regular
dissemination of the Morning Report will resume on Friday, July 25th. 

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
pertaining to receipt of 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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