NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, October 6, 1998

INCIDENTS

97-711 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Follow-up: Drug Seizure and Arrest

On November 19, 1997, E.M. was arrested by rangers and agents for
transporting over 543 pounds of marijuana through the park in his pickup
truck.  On April 22nd, E.M. entered a guilty plea after failing in his
efforts to suppress evidence during a motion hearing.  On September 22nd, a
federal judge sentenced E.M. to 92 months in prison due to his extensive
criminal history.  [Dan Wirth, Special Agent, SOAR, 9/24]

98-632 - Redwood N&SP (CA) - Resource Violations

Rangers received a report of three people with knives acting suspiciously on
Cal Barrel Road on September 26th.  They found an unoccupied van on the road;
in plain view were recently collected plants.  About 20 minutes later, three
people were confronted as they approached the van.  They admitted to
collecting two redwood burls and 16 pieces of red band, artists conk and
lacquer-top fungus, the largest of which measured 26 by 17 inches.  Park
biologists determined that it took about 17 years to grow to that size.  The
trio admitted to collecting the items because they were in demand for
commercial use by artists who paint and draw on the fungus' flat surfaces and
carve burls into various forms.  A search of the van led to the discovery of
knives, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.  Charges for plant theft and drug
and paraphernalia possession are pending.  [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/28]

98-633 - Redwood N&SP (CA) - Rescue

State police received a 911 call reporting that a woman had fallen off a
cliff at the end of Endert's Beach Road at 9 p.m. on September 16th.  They
advised the county sheriff's department and park dispatch and a SAR team
responded.  K.R., 38, of Crescent City, had fallen 275 feet
down a loose gravel ocean cliff, ending up about 50 feet from the ocean. 
Ranger Sharon Hutkowski and SAR team member Peggy Thomas reached the beach
but couldn't get to K.R..  Ranger Curt Vade Bon Coeur was lowered to
K.R., determined that she'd suffered only minor injuries, and was able to
help her reach the top of the cliff.  Hutkowski and Thomas were then raised
up the cliff after being trapped by rising ocean tides.  [Bob Martin, CR,
REDW, 10/1]

98-634 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Commercial Vehicle Inspections

Staff from the special park uses office and rangers conducted commercial bus
inspections in May, July and September this year.  They were assisted by
California Highway Patrol officers and California Public Utility Commission
inspectors.  Buses were inspected for mechanical defects and current
operating authorities, and drivers were checked for proper endorsements and
logbook requirements.  The 173 inspections that were conducted led to the
issuance of 104 citations to 67 defendants (either corporations or
individuals); these included 53 citations for mechanical problems, 13 for
logbook violations, 13 for driver or registration violations, and 24 for PUC
or ICC violations.  One driver was also arrested on a felony warrant. 
Nineteen buses were taken out of service until mechanical problems were
fixed.  [Ruth Middlecamp, Office of Special Park Uses, YOSE, 9/30]

98-635 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Commercial Vehicle Inspections

On September 22nd and 23rd, rangers and Arizona Department of Public Safety
officers conducted commercial vehicle inspections at the South Rim.  The
objective was to insure that commercial tour buses entering the park were in
compliance with safety regulations and incidental business permit
requirements.  A total of 94 buses were inspected, with 1,804 violations
noted.  Thirty citations were issued and 24 buses were taken out of service
for major mechanical safety violations.  Virtually all of the buses inspected
had valid incidental business permits, although many did not have permits in
their possession.  [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 9/24]

98-636 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - DUI Checkpoint

Rangers established a DUI checkpoint on the South Rim during the evening of
September 12th - the first such operation in over five years.  The three
objectives were deterrence, apprehension and education.  During the five-hour
operation, 133 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.  No DUI arrests were
made, but ten drivers had measurable alcohol concentrations and 60 verbal
warnings were given for failure to wear seatbelts.  In subsequent interviews
with employees of bars on the South Rim, rangers learned that numerous bar
customers heard that the checkpoint was in progress and chose not to drive
home after drinking.  [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 9/24]

98-637 - Natchez Trace Parkway (MS/AL/TN) - Police Pursuit; Fatality

On September 25th, Florence, Alabama, police attempted to arrest B.S.,
35, on an outstanding warrant.  B.S. assaulted one officer, then
fled.  The pursuit eventually ended on the parkway near the Alabama -
Tennessee state line when B.S. stopped his car and fled on foot.  A chase
ensued and B.S. was taken into custody after fighting with officers and
being sprayed with mace.  B.S. began complaining of shortness of breath and
an ambulance was dispatched to the scene.  Officers began CPR, but were
unsuccessful.  B.S. was pronounced dead at the scene.  Rangers were asked
to respond, but were not involved in the chase and arrived after the incident
occurred.  [Tim Francis, ACR, NATR, 9/28]

98-638 - Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Marijuana Eradication

A team of five North Unit rangers, assisted by a California Highway Patrol
helicopter and crew, removed a marijuana plantation from the east slope of
Wolfback Ridge in the Marin Headlands on September 20th.  They seized 45
mature sinsemilla plants valued at $225,0000 and removed them by helicopter
sling load along with numerous cultivation supplies and equipment.  The plot
was eradicated after a surveillance operation to identify the grower proved
unsuccessful.  [Richard Danielson, Operations Supervisor, GOGA, 9/21]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

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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