NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, March 20, 1998

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

98-109 - Shenandoah NP (VA) - Structural Fire

On the morning of March 19th, park staff discovered that a historic public
comfort station located in the Big Meadows campground had burned to the
ground.  The CCC-constructed, chestnut-log building burned during the night
and was still smoldering upon discovery.  The campground was closed at the
time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  Damage is estimated at
$75,000.  [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 3/19]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Rocky Mountain NP (CO) - Otter Survey
     
On February 28th, the ranger division coordinated a river otter survey in the
upper Colorado River drainage.  A group of 31 volunteers and employees of the
park and Colorado Division of Wildlife surveyed approximately 32 kilometers
of stream.  This work repeated surveys that had been conducted biannually
since 1988.  In 1974, the river otter was considered extirpated in the park,
which lead to its reintroduction in 1978.  A total of 41 otter were released
over the next six years.  This year's survey confirmed the findings of
previous surveys, which determined that river otter are using almost all of
the available habitat along the main channel of the Colorado River within and
directly adjacent to the park.  The populations appears stable, with an
estimated 17 to 21 otter currently occupying the area.  [Bob Love, DR, ROMO,
3/19]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Correction - The Tuesday Morning Report stated that the House Subcommittee on
Interior Appropriations and Related Agencies' hearing on the FY99 budget
request for the National Park Service would take place on March 25th.  The
actual date will be March 31st.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

EXCHANGE

No entries.

                           *  *  *  *  *

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.

                           --- ### ---