NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Wednesday, February 25, 1998

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

98-79 - Scotts Bluff NM (NE) - Rock Slide

A major rock slide occurred on February 21st, covering a portion of the
Saddle Rock hiking trail and blocking most of one end of the only tunnel
along the trail.  A hiker on the trail at the time was able to avoid injury
by entering the tunnel just as the rocks came down.  The trail is now closed
through that area.  The park will likely employ the "boulder buster" used to
break up the big slide that occurred last November (97-727) to reduce and
remove the rocks.  The number and size of the recent slides along this trail
are unprecedented in park history.  The park will also be experimenting with
EMS/fire type air expansion bags on immediate hazards in the area that are
difficult to work on safely.  Technical rock climbers from Rocky Mountain NP
and Badlands NP will help with this process.  [CRO, SCBL, 2/24]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

FLHP Reauthorization - It now appears likely that Congress will not undertake
further consideration of reauthorization of the Federal Lands Highway Program
(FLHP) until work is completed on the FY 99 budget some time next fall.  The
Service is currently operating under a six-month extension of FLHP (half of
last year's funding, or $42 million) which runs through March 31st, with
funding to be obligated by May 1st.  It now appears likely that Congress will
enact another six-month extension to ISTEA-funded programs some time between
now and May 1st and that the extension will run through October.  This will
provide the NPS with another $42 million, for a total of $84 million this
fiscal year.  [John Gingles, FMD/WASO]

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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