NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, July 10, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-375 - Voyageurs NP (MN) - Illegal Commercial Use Conviction

On June 30th, C.B. and H.A. were sentenced in court
following their conviction for conducting a guide tour boat service within
the park without a permit (36 CFR 5.3).  The charges stemmed from citations
issued on August 10, 1996.  The case is a test of the National Park Service's
authority to regulate activities on waters within the park, and, potentially,
the entire Service.  This was the third time that C.B. had challenged the
Service's authority to regulate activities on park waters.  C.B. was
sentenced to 60 days in jail (stayed), a $5,000 fine ($3,000 stayed), and
three years' probation - provided that he pays the monetary penalties,
remains law-abiding at all judicial levels, and remains out of the park
except to travel through the Brule Narrows or to deliver goods to cabins
after he obtains an incidental business permit.  He was also ordered to pay
the cost of prosecution, estimated at about $2,500.  H.A., a Canadian
citizen, was sentenced to a $300 fine, 30 days in jail (stayed), a year's
probation (providing he remains law-abiding), and $200 for the cost of
prosecution.  C.B. was represented by the Mountain States Legal Foundation,
and H.A. was represented by a local attorney.  The defendants have
already stated that they will appeal and take the case all the way to the
Supreme Court if necessary.  [Bruce McKeeman, CR, VOYA, 7/1]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

The national preparedness level has dropped back from Level IV to Level III.

LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY 

                                                     Tue      Wed    %   Est
State      Unit             Fire/Incident     IMT    7/7      7/8   Con  Con

FL   Osceola NF             Oak Head          T1   20,370   20,120   90  7/24
     Merritt Island NWR     Merritt Island Cx --    4,987    4,987  100  CND
     State                  Suwanee Cx        T1   16,376   16,377   99  7/15
                            Flagler/StJohn Cx T1   92,576   92,706   NR  NEC
                            Volusia Cx        T2  111,130  111,130   80  NEC
                            Orlando Cx        T1   73,983   83,303   81  7/20
                            Withlacoochee     T2    2,304    2,304   90  7/10
                            Jacksonville 2    T1   16,143   16,143   86  NEC
                            Perry Cx          T2   20,400   20,400   85  7/14

TX   State                  Horns Chapel      --      400      550  100  CND
                            Harrell           --      200    2,300   45  NEC
                          * Ft. Davis Cx      --        -      675    0  NEC
                          * Coolidge          --        -      100  100  CND

AZ   Havasu NWR             South Dike        T2    3,000    3,000  100  CND

OR   Siskiyou NF            Madstone          T2      250      250   90  7/10
    
AK   Fort Greely            Carla Lake        T2   60,520   60,520   82  NEC

                                  Heading Notes

Unit        Agency = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA state resource
            or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; District = BLM
            district; NWR = USFWS wildlife refuge
Fire        * = newly reported fire (on this report); Cx = complex
IMT         T1 = Type I; T2 = Type II; ST = State Team
% Con       Percent of fire contained; UNK = unknown
Est Con     Estimated containment date; NEC = no estimated date of
            containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report

NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                    NPS    BIA      BLM     FWS    States   USFS     Total

Monday, 7/6          2     16        10       1      228     17       224
Tuesday, 7/7         1      8        16       0      276     25       326
Wednesday, 7/8       1     12         8       0      162     20       203
Thursday, 7/9        2      7        17       0      171     37       234

TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                  Crews     Engines    Helicopters    Airtankers   Overhead

Monday, 7/6        131        589          73             3         1,445 @
Tuesday, 7/7       181        583          77             2         1,445 @
Wednesday, 7/8     160        572          96            16         1,684 @
Thursday, 7/9      156        577         148            17         1,914 @

@ Resource reports were not received from many fires in the South.

CURRENT SITUATION

Large fires continued to burn in the South and Northwest yesterday.

The effects of the wet spring will quickly disappear with the broad scale
warming occurring in the West.  Firefighters report that reaction intensity
has been much greater than expected on fires in southern Utah and southern
Oregon.  Annual grasses will mature and die even in the rain.  The result is
a rapid shift from live fuel to dead fuel and significant increases in fire
behavior.  Hot weather and lower humidities are expected over much of the
West next week, especially over the Great Basin and California.  This is due
to the expected shift of the high pressure ridge from Texas to the Nevada
area next week.  Lightning activity will be minimal, but that which does form
could be dry.  The fire danger rating pocket card for firefighter safety has
been released and is now available on the Internet at: http://www.nwcg.gov. 
Select "resources" and then click on "Firefighters Pocket Card."

Very high and extreme fire indices were reported in Florida, Georgia, Texas,
New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, California, Nevada and
Washington.

NICC has not posted any fire watches or warnings for today.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/10]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

6c Funding - On July 8th, a call was issued to regions and parks to identify
their 6c-related funding requirements.  The Washington Budget Office plans to
distribute this year's remaining 6c funds from the central account to parks
(through regions) this fiscal year.  Next fiscal year and thereafter, the 6c
funding will be a permanent increase to park base funds, made via the normal 
funding allotment process.  In order for distributions to be made this fiscal
year, it is necessary for parks to submit basic information through their
respective regions to the Washington Office in a timely manner.  Information
requested will include name, grade, position number, retirement system, and
other basic data for each 6c position, but will NOT ask parks to calculate
cost figures.  In order to minimize the workload on parks and regions,
distributions will be made to regions in lump sum amounts based upon actual
numbers of 6c positions.  Funding for permanent positions will be pro-rated
this fiscal year.  The call asks for information on seasonal 6c positions by
August 3rd, followed by information on permanent positions by August 15th. 
[Bill Sanders, RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

"Servicewide Hiring Freeze," signed by the director on July 8th and sent to
all associate, regional and center directors, with copies made available to
the field.  The full text follows:
     
"We are currently faced with two situations involving the outplacement of
National Park Service (NPS) staff; the transfer of lands and operation of the
Presidio to the Presidio Trust and the downsizing of the Denver Service
Center (DSC).  In both cases, we are challenged with the placement of staff
at these locations into positions throughout the Service. As a result, I am
instituting a Servicewide hiring freeze effective immediately.
     
"The Presidio Trust is now finalizing plans to accept the functional
operation of the Presidio in July. The Trust is determining whether or not
functions currently being performed by NPS staff will continue to be
performed by the NPS or whether these functions will be accomplished in
another manner.
     
"Due to provisions in the legislation establishing the Presidio Trust, career
employees of the NPS cannot be separated due to the Trust's assumption of
responsibility for the Presidio.  However, employees who work in vulnerable
functions at Golden Gate/Presidio understand that it may be necessary to
consider other employment options.  In FY 99, it is estimated that as many as
50 permanent employees will need to be placed elsewhere.  Approximately 25-30
of these employees are in occupations similar to those employed at DSC.  It
is for this reason that, in addition to the Priority Placement Program
established in September 1997 to assist placing impacted Golden Gate/Presidio
employees, these employees will be included in the outplacement activities
undertaken by the Service.
     
"In response to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) study of
the National Park Service Construction program, the Denver Service Center
will be implementing a reduction of staff with principal focus on the design
and construction supervision programs. This effort will result in a reduction
of approximately 50% of the current staff of DSC. A core staff of
approximately 250 to 300 employees would remain to accomplish the line-item
construction program as well as other planning and design work.
     
"It is our expectation that the transition to a new DSC will be completed by
FY 2000. Over the next 60 days, an implementation plan will be prepared.
David Morehouse, Acting Associate Director for Professional Services and a
member of the NAPA review panel, is responsible for preparation of this plan
that will address the changes recommended by NAPA. He will be working with
the Directorate and DSC management in the preparation of this implementation
plan.

"The plan will address how NPS intends to transition to a smaller DSC that
accomplishes much of its work through the use of architectural and
engineering (A&E) firms for design and construction management. It will also
address the potential of contracting out or transferring specific functions
presently accomplished by DSC staff. While no decisions have been made, some
functions of this type have already been identified. The specifics on the
configuration of the new DSC and how it will be base funded will be included
in the plan.  Any organizational changes that may be required will be
addressed in the plan as well.
     
"During my recent meeting with DSC employees, I indicated that we are
reviewing a variety of options to assist them.  One of these options, Early
Out authority, has recently been offered to employees in San Francisco and I
am extending this opportunity to all NPS employees in Denver also.
     
"While options are being pursued for employees of both the Golden
Gate/Presidio and the DSC, it is imperative that the Service as a whole
provide all possible assistance and support for the employees affected by
this reduction.  It is our goal to implement an outplacement program that
minimizes the adverse impact on both the Golden Gate/Presidio and the DSC
staff.  
     
"Therefore, effective immediately, and until further notice, I am placing a
Servicewide freeze on the filling of any permanent GS or WG position in all
occupational categories and at all grade levels. This freeze does not affect
any written or verbal offers of employment made to potential employees before
the effective date of this memorandum nor does it affect any noncompetitive
promotions.  It does however, affect all positions currently advertised where
selections and offers of employment have not been made.
     
"An Outplacement Services Team (OST) is being established in both DSC and
Golden Gate/Presidio.  It will be the responsibility of both teams to
implement the outplacement procedures and for clearing vacancies from the
freeze.  The attached documents [Note: Attached to the original memo, not to
the Morning Report] outline the policies and procedures for submitting your
vacancy request to both OSTs.  If there is a match, you will be forwarded the
information you need to effect a reassignment.  Should there be no match
available from either the DSC or Presidio, you will be authorized to fill
your position through other means.  Relocation expenses will be paid by the
benefiting office.
     
"I know you share with me the deep concern for the welfare of our fellow
employees in the DSC and the Golden Gate/Presidio and I am confident that you
will work with me to assist these employees to find alternative placements
whenever possible."

EXCHANGE

Horse Available - Petersburg NB has "the ideal patrol horse" available for
transfer, complete with up-to-date records.  The horse, named "Gato Go," is a
bay gelding, half quarter horse and half thoroughbred, 16 years old, and is
in good health.  The park is transferring "Go" because they have sufficient
numbers for riding and driving.  "Go" has a very good disposition around
people and is good for riding.  The majority of the park's horses are used in
its living history program.  If you're interested, contact Rhonda Jackson at
NP-PETE or call her at 804-732-4025.

                                *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
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coordinator.

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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