NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, February 11, 1998

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

98-60 - George Washington Memorial Parkway (VA) - Rescue

Early in the afternoon of February 7th, R.R., 40, attempted to
launch his kayak at Fisherman's Eddy, immediately below the Great Falls of
the Potomac River.  At the time, the river level was extremely high and
hazardous for recreational use due to the heavy rains that had recently
fallen throughout the Potomac River basin.  R.R., an experienced
kayaker, overturned in the strong currents immediately after launching; he
quickly became trapped by the swirling currents and large logs and other
debris in the eddy and was unable to get out of the water.  A visitor
reported the emergency to park staff at the visitor center, and rangers Jesse
Reynolds and Barbara Perdew responded.  Meanwhile, another kayaker was able
to get close enough to R.R. to assist him in getting to a less turbulent
part of the eddy, although he was still unable to get out of the water on his
own.  Reynolds was able to get a rope to R.R., then assist him from the
water.  He was unhurt, but was shaken, cold, and exhausted.  R.R. was
wearing a dry suit, which may have contributed to his survival in the 38
degree water.  [Gary Pollock, Manager, Potomac River Unit, GWMP, 2/9]

98-61 - Biscayne NP (FL) - Poaching Indictments

A federal grand jury in Miami recently handed down a six count felony
indictment charging I.C. for possessing, knowingly
transporting, and attempting to sell sponges that were illegally harvested in
the park.  I.C. was also charged with conspiring with others in these
illegal activities.  The indictment concludes a year-long operation to
eliminate the sponge poaching problem from the park.  Ranges employed a
variety of methods to suppress this activity, including plain clothes
surveillance, inter-agency intelligence dissemination, and meetings to gain
support and assistance from other marine law enforcement agencies.  The
Florida Marine Patrol provided aerial support.  A total of 18 separate sponge
cases were made last year, and eleven individuals have since been banned from
the park for a period of three years.  Two sponge skiffs, three outboard
motors and over 400 sponges have been seized and forfeited to the park. 
[Bonnie Foist, BISC, 2/10]
     
98-62 - National Capital Parks Central (DC) - Special Event

President and Mrs. Clinton toured the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial with
Tony Blair, the prime minister of Great Britain, and his wife, Cherie Blair,
on Friday, February 6th.  A delegation of diplomats and White House staff
also accompanied the party.  Director Bob Stanton and superintendent Arnold
Goldstein led the tour.  Ranger staff from the National Mall gave additional
tours and conducted special activities for 125 third grade students who
attended the event and met the presidential party.  The dignitaries took time
to speak with the children and the park staff covering the event.  [Robert
Fudge, NACC, 2/9]

98-63 - George Washington Memorial Parkway (VA) - Probable Suicide

The body of a missing woman was found by Park Police officers in a wooded
area near the Collingwood picnic area on the morning of February 5th.  Local
police had broadcast an "attempt to locate" message earlier that morning; a
Park Police officer remembered seeing the woman's vehicle at the picnic area
the previous evening, returned to the site, checked the woods, and made the
discovery.  Suicide is suspected.  [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 2/5]

98-64 - National Capital Parks Central (DC) - Probable Suicide

On the evening of February 5th, a man stopped his car on Memorial Bridge,
scaled the railing and leaped into the Potomac River.  Park Police officers
searched the river and shoreline by helicopter and boat but have not yet
found any sign of him.  A suicide note was found in the vehicle.  The
investigation is continuing.  [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 2/6]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Canyonlands NP (UT) - Desert Bighorn Sheep Census and Capture

The results of last November's census estimate of desert bighorn sheep have
been received by the park.  The total population estimate for the Island in
the Sky herd, based on a sightability model, was 202 animals - 81 rams, 89
ewes and 32 lambs.  This number is lower than last year's count, but matches
the results of past years in which many of the sheep were outside of the park
on BLM lands.  When the numbers were converted to ewes per 100 rams as a
standard to compare census data, the sex ratio proved favorable, with 110
ewes for every 100 rams.  The lamb survival rate was 36 percent.  Although 40
animals have been removed from the herd over the past two years, no
translocations are planned for 1998.  During the week of January 25th, a
capture and radio collaring effort was undertaken.  Thirteen sheep in the
Needles and Island in the Sky Districts and ten sheep on adjacent BLM lands
were captured and collared.  The radio collars will help field workers
determine the status of the sheep in those areas.  The Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources provided personnel to capture the sheep with a net gun. 
Captured animals were treated for psoroptes ear mites with injections of
Ivomect, a systemic insecticide.  [Craig Hauke, NRS, CANY]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Environmental Crimes Update - Phase I of the Servicewide environmental crimes
initiative has been completed.  Achievements during the past four years
include:

the training of 675 NPS law enforcement and natural resource management
employees and 105 people from partner agencies (FBI, EPA, Coast Guard,
BLM, USFS and the states of Colorado and Nevada) on environmental
crimes awareness and investigation;

the publication of articles educating NPS employees and others on
environmental crime issues and enforcement tools;

the production and distribution of a 400-page reference manual;

the acquisition of funding for annual servicewide training;

the establishment of partnerships with the FBI, EPA, Coast Guard,
Department of Justice, and Interpol;

the pursuit of cases in at least 50 parks, with fines and prison terms
for a number of violators; and

the provision of assistance to USPP in developing an environmental
crimes detail.

Phase II actions are being considered at this time, and will include annual
training and more emphasis on case development.  Particulars on program
coordination are also being evaluated.  [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO]

Awards - Two significant awards were recently received by NPS law enforcement
employees:  

On January 12th, ranger L.D. Rumfield received the distinguished honor
medal and a citation for public service from the American Police Hall
of Fame.  He was recognized for his dedication to involving young
people in law enforcement and for his work as a ranger and state peace
officer. Rumfield has been a high school teacher in the area for over
20 years, a reserved deputy county constable since 1978, and a seasonal
ranger in the park for 15 years.  He also teaches criminal justice
courses at a local high school and has coached the school's law
enforcement team to a district championship. 

On February 4th, USPP lieutenant Henry Berberich received a special
achievement award from the director for outstanding work while detailed
to the law enforcement specialist position in WASO Ranger Activities.

[Mark Foust, ACR, PAIS; Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO]

MEMORANDA

No entries.

EXCHANGE

No entries.

                               *  *  *  *  *

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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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