NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date: Tuesday, October 14, 1997 

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

96-617 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ) - Follow-up on Drug Arrest

On October 10, 1996, a 1985 Ford LTD being driven by J.M. was stopped
in the park by rangers based on information provided by Customs officers
after J.M. crossed into the country from Mexico.  During the subsequent
consent search, rangers found and seized 164 pounds of marijuana in 70 small
bundles in four duffel bags.  Also seized were pagers, a cell phone, and the
truck, which was valued at $31,000.  Following his pre-trial hearing, J.M.
fired his assigned public defender, then subsequently fired a second assigned
public defender.  J.M. eventually plead guilty to smuggling and received a
sentence of six-and-a-half years in prison and six-and-a-half years on
probation.  [Aniceto Olais, CR, ORPI, 10/13] 

97-627 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Commercial Use Inspection

On September 30th and October 1st, rangers and Arizona Department of Public
Safety officers conducted an inter-agency commercial vehicle inspection
checkpoint at Mather Point on the South Rim.  The objective was to insure the
safety of passengers on the large number of tour buses entering the park. 
During the two-day period, 90 buses were inspected, 79 drivers were
interviewed, and 223 vehicle and driver violations documented.  Fifteen buses
were taken out of service due to serious mechanical violations (most commonly
brake problems) and seven citations were issued.  Since this was the first
such operation conducted at Grand Canyon, the emphasis was on correction of
mechanical violations and administrative follow-up with incidental business
permit holders.  Based on the success of this operation, the park plans to
conduct such inspections on a regular basis in the future, with a stricter
enforcement posture anticipated.   Ranger Kent Delbon was IC.  [David
Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 10/12]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Use and Occupancy Permit Receipts - Ranger Activities has been working with
the Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs on legislative language
for a bill which would allow the NPS to retain all monies received under
special use permits (SUPs) for use and occupancy of government-owned
structures after expiration of lease agreements.  These offices are currently
working with the Senate to develop language that would allow parks to not
only retain the costs associated with administering the program, but also to
bank the additional rent money in a no-year account that the parks could then
accrue, permitting them to build up sufficient money to fund the removal of
these structures.  Since the money above the cost to administer the program
will no longer be going to Treasury, the NPS needs some financial data from
those parks that are currently running use and occupancy programs.  Ranger
Activities needs answers to the following questions from ALL parks with use
and occupancy programs:
     
o How much money are you currently expending towards the removal of
structures and restoration of adjoining areas (estimates are
sufficient)?
   
o How much money are you currently receiving under SUPs for use and
occupancy?
     
o How much of this money is currently being retained in the park as costs
associated with administering the use and occupancy program?
     
The difference between the figures in the second and third questions
represents the amount currently being deposited in the Treasury, which is the
final figure Ranger Activities needs.  Use and occupancy structures still
under lease agreements that have not expired are not affected by this
inquiry.  The only structures affected are those in which the lease has
expired and the park has issued an SUP (or similar document) to allow the
occupants to remain in the structure.  Replies to this inquiry should be
addressed to Dave Emmerson via cc:Mail at NP-WASO-POPS.  [Dennis Burnett,
RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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.

                                  --- ### ---