NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, January 2, 1998

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-770 - Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Car Clouting Arrest; Assault on Officer

On the afternoon of December 30th, USPP criminal investigator Greg Martin was
conducting plain clothes surveillance of an area in Fort Funston which had
been the site of numerous car clouts over the previous few weeks when he saw
a man break into a parked vehicle with a slim jim (a device used to open car
doors which have been accidentally locked).  The man stole some property and
was attempting to leave when Martin attempted to stop him.  The man struck
Martin which his vehicle, knocking him to the roadway, but his car was in
turn struck by a passing vehicle as it entered the roadway.  Martin was able
to place the man in custody.  Martin was then taken to a local hospital,
where he was treated for numerous scrapes and abrasions and released. 
Several possibly stolen items were seized as evidence; the man was charged
with several felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon (auto).  [Sgt.
Harold Gefrich, SFFO/GOGA, 12/30]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Follow-up on Court Ruling on Special Use Permit Authority - In a ruling filed
last October, a magistrate judge found that the Service properly administered
its special use and commercial use permit authorities in a case of a
motorcycle event held at Death Valley NP without a permit.   Dual sport
motorcycle promoter Jerry Counts was found guilty of failing to obtain a
permit prior to engaging in a special event called the "Death Valley 400." 
The 1995 event consisted of approximately 100 dual sport motorcycles
traversing the park's backcountry roads.  Counts held the event, ignoring
numerous efforts from the NPS to gain his voluntary compliance.  He was
subsequently charged with violations of 36 CFR; specifically, engaging in an
activity subject to a permit requirement without obtaining a permit and
engaging in or soliciting a business in park areas without a permit,
contract, or other written agreement with the United States.  Counts
contended that he was not a commercial operator for the Death Valley 400
because he did not offer or perform any personal services, or perform
substantial business solicitation activities upon federal land.  He argued
that he was simply providing a self-guided tour, and likened it to a motor
club offering "triptiks" to its members.  The court found that the Death
Valley 400 was in fact a "sports event" and denied a motion by Counts to
dismiss the ruling due to the regulations being unconstitutionally vague.  On
December 17th, Counts was sentenced to two years' court probation and fined
$490.  Terms of probation included an order from the magistrate judge
requiring Counts to obtain required permits and comply with terms and
conditions of any permits issued on federal lands.  [Eric Inman, DEVA]

MEMORANDA

No entries.

EXCHANGE

Sign Language Interpreters Needed - A sign workers workshop will be held at
Lake Mead in February.  Course coordinators are looking for a couple of
people who would be willing to devote their time and expertise to interpret
(via American sign language) for at least one individual who will be
attending the event.  If you can help, please contact Ralph Bell at Mount
Rainier NP via cc:Mail or at 360-569-2211 ext. 3346.

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.

                                  --- ### ---