NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, October 22, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-634 - Little River Canyon NPr (AL) - Follow-up on Falling Fatality

The investigation into the falling death of L.J. from Weaver
overlook on October 12th is continuing.  Information has been received which
indicates that the fall may not have been accidental.  The FBI has been
notified; agents are assisting rangers and local investigators with
interviews and further investigation.  [Dwight Dixon, CR, LIRI, 10/21]

97-655 - Gulf Islands NS (MS/FL) - Disorderly Conduct; Assault

A confrontation between about 20 whites and 40 Vietnamese in the Davis Bayou
area of the park on October 19th culminated in thrown beer bottles and
brandished knives and baseball bats.  Ranger Bill Wilson, district ranger
Mark Lewis and five city police officers responded.  One male required
stitches to close a wound on his arm where a bottle broke when it hit him and
another received a small laceration on his ear.  Three juveniles were taken
into custody and charged with assault.  Neither the rangers nor the officers
suffered any injuries.  The incident evidently began as a verbal
confrontation, which lasted about a half hour before it escalated.  The
incident is characteristic of confrontations between native-born and emigrant
Vietnamese fishermen that have occurred along the Mississippi coast since the
latter arrived in the area after the war in Vietnam.  They have been caused
by differences in cultures, by competition, and by slightly different fishing
methods.  [Mark Lewis, DR, Mississippi District, GUIS, 10/20]

97-656 - Independence NHP (PA) - Assault

While waiting at the site entrance on Dock Street at 6:30 a.m. on the morning
of October 17th, two subcontractors employed by the park to work on its
chilled water plant project were assaulted by three men.  Neither was
injured, but their vehicles were extensively damaged by baseball bats and
iron pipes.  The subcontractors were unable to provide good descriptions of
their assailants, and no witnesses have been identified.  The contractors
said that they hadn't received any threats recently and that they didn't know
anyone who'd want to harm them.  The project has received local attention,
however, due to the contractor's use of non-union employees and
subcontractors.  The incident is still under investigation.  [Calvin Farmer,
Shift Supervisor, INDE, 10/20]

97-657 - Lassen Volcanic NP (CA) - Hunting and Weapons Violations

During a two-week period commencing with the opening of the general rifle
hunting season in late September and the state's two-week deer season,
rangers and US Fish and Wildlife Service special agents conducted several
covert poaching patrols along the park's north boundary.  These patrols
resulted in arrests and citations for illegal hunting and for illegal use of
weapons, tracking dogs, and ATVs.  The use of radio-collared tracking dogs
within the park was the most prevalent violation seen and documented.  
Rangers were also instrumental in assisting state fish and game agents on a
bear poaching case three miles outside of the park's boundary.  The park has
over 75 miles of boundary, with many areas accessible by 4WD vehicles and
ATVs via remote forest roads.  Evidence has pointed to increased illegal
activity along the boundary throughout the year.  Overt and covert patrols
will continue.  [Mark McCutcheon, DR, North District, LAVO, 10/16]

97-658 - Delaware Water Gap NRA (PA/NJ) - Attempted Suicide

A 39-year-old man from Chalfont, Pennsylvania, knocked on the door of the New
Jersey district ranger's office around 1 p.m. on October 21st and advised
rangers Mike Fernalld and Barry Sullivan that he'd just cut his wrists.  The
rangers provided emergency first aid and summoned an ambulance, which
transported the man to a nearby hospital.  While he was being treated by the
rangers, the man, who was dripping wet, reported that he'd first tried to
drown himself by immersing himself in nearby Flatbrook Creek; when that
effort failed, he cut his left wrist, but bandaged it before heading for the
ranger station.  The man, who is on medication for paranoia and
schizophrenia, is expected to recover from his injuries.  [Doyle Nelson, CR,
DEWA, 10/21]

97-659 - Delaware Water Gap NRA (PA/NJ) - Suicide

M.N., 39, of Jermyn, Pennsylvania, leaped about 60 feet to his death
from the I-80 bridge which crosses the Delaware River some time between 10
a.m. and 1 p.m. on October 21st.  A Pennsylvania state trooper working a
truck weight detail near the bridge noted that a truck parked near the toll
plaza had been sitting there with its engine running for some time.  The
trooper checked the area around the bridge and found M.N.'s body submerged
in the river near the Pennsylvania shore.  No witnesses have yet been
located.  Ranger Mike Zirwas is investigating along with state police
officers.  [Doyle Nelson, CR, DEWA, 10/21]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Report pending.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Uniform Ordering - Order forms for uniform components for FY98 are currently
being sent from R&R Uniforms to all parks.  R&R will begin accepting orders,
effective October 22nd, providing your park or org code has returned the
completed and signed Consolidated Uniform Allowance Report to them.  The
report is used to authorize allowances for the new fiscal year.  Almost all
have been received, but about a dozen are still outstanding.  [Meg Leffel,
Uniform Program Manager, RAD/WASO]

Lyme Disease Information - Pfizer Central Research will provide up to 125
free brochures on Lyme disease to interested parties.  If more than 125 are
needed, they can be obtained at a cost of $.04 per brochure.  You can contact
Pfizer at 860-441-5544.  [Carol DiSalvo, IPM Specialist, WASO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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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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