Intermountain Region
Follow-up: Assist with Columbia Shuttle Disaster
The members of the critical incident stress management (CISM) team
that responded to a Forest Service/FEMA request to assist with stress
mitigation for searchers involved in the Columbia space shuttle tragedy
returned to their respective parks early last week. CISM team leader
Lane Baker of Yellowstone reports that the team made over 500 contacts,
led several very large debriefings, and wrote a plan for management of
short and long terms CISM services for search personnel. Wherever team
members went, they were met with heartfelt appreciation for their
services, as it was recognized that the incident had had an emotional
impact on everyone involved. Continuing CISM services are now in place
with the Red Cross and other agencies.
[Submitted by Pat Buccello,
Ranger Activities Divison, WASO]
Intermountain Region
Follow-up: Sentencing for NAGPRA Violations
On February 12, J.B., 51, owner of J.B. & Company,
a gallery in Santa Fe specializing in Native American arts, was
sentenced in federal court following his previous guilty plea to nine
violations of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act. The judge sentenced him to three years probation, 100
hours of community service, and the loss of all those cultural items
seized during the January, 2000, warrant search of his gallery that had
been identified previously for repatriation by tribes (property
forfeited to the government that must be given back to the appropriate
tribes). The remaining identified property will be published in the
Federal Register, as per the terms of NAGPRA. No fine was imposed due to
J.B.'s bankrupt status, but he was assessed for $675 in court costs.
[Submitted by Phil Young, Staff Archeologist, Office of Cultural
Affairs, New Mexico]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Anti-War Protest Demonstration
The city of Philadelphia was the site of one of the many anti-war
demonstrations that took place around the world on Saturday, February
15. An estimated 10,000 protestors started the march near the city's art
museum. They marched around city hall and ended up in front of the
Liberty Bell. About 4,000 protestors gathered there, blocking Market
Street for approximately two hours. Philadelphia PD's civil affairs unit
and park LE rangers monitored the crowd. A small contingent of pro-war
supporters were also on hand. There were no incidents.
[Submitted by
Katherine Korte, Law Enforcement Specialist]
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)
Apparent Suicide
On the morning of February 9, a park visitor walking the trail at
Inland Marsh came upon the body of a 59-year-old man from Portage,
Indiana. Initial investigation indicates that he died from a single,
self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was found next to him; the
weapon's box and a purchase receipt dated January 31 were found in his
vehicle, which was in the trail parking lot. Rangers provided on-scene
assistance for local police, who are handling the investigation.
[Submitted by JD Swed, Chief Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
GS-025-13 Chief Ranger
The park is recruiting for a GS-025-13 supervisory park ranger (chief ranger). The person in this position manages and operates an extremely active law enforcement program dealing primarily with border issues that include drug smuggling and illegal immigration. In 2002, rangers investigated over 190 border-related incidents, including interdiction and seizure of over seven tons of illegal drugs. She/he manages 312,000 acres of designated wilderness and is responsible for the parks international program, including developing professional working relationships with the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve, a sister park, and for providing a full range of resource and visitor protection operations. The vacancy announcement number is SOAR-03-06; it closes on March 4. For more information, contact superintendent Bill Wellman at 520-387-5840 or acting chief ranger Robert E. Stinson at 520-387-7661 ex. 7201.
[Submitted by Robert Stinson, Acting Chief Ranger]
White Sands National Monument (NM)
Subject-To-Furlough Ranger
The park is looking for candidates for a subject-to-furlough protection ranger position. The furlough period is for four pay periods per year. There's no park housing, but the city of Alamogordo has a wide variety of affordable homes and apartments for sale and lease. Other amenities in the area include two colleges, a ski area and two large cities (El Paso and Los Cruces) within a two hour drive. The announcement, which closes on March 4, is being advertised for both status and non-status candidates. The merit promotion announcement number is 03-19 WHSA; the open competitive announcement is DD166235. Both can be found on USA Jobs. Interested persons can contact Cliff Spencer, chief ranger, at 505-679-2599 ext. 220.
[Submitted by Cliff Spencer, Chief Ranger]
Everglades National Park (FL)
Passing of Park Friend and VIP Mike Ward
Mike Ward, former park VIP and long time resident of Lulu Key, passed away last week. He was in his mid-80's.
Mike had been living at Lulu Key, along the northwest boundary of Everglades National Park, for the last 18 years. Despite his isolated location in the 10,000 Islands area along the Gulf of Mexico, he maintained friendships with many park staff he had grown to know over the years.
Mike had worked as a park VIP for many years, making valuable contributions in the areas of resource management, protection, and visitor service. He developed a detailed knowledge over the years of the complex waterways and the coastal mangrove environment.
Mike served in World War II as a flight instructor and combat pilot flying B-25 bombers in the South Pacific. He also served as a pilot in the Korean War. After serving his country he did a stint as a college instructor, but soon returned to flying. He piloted 747's for Air Florida until the airline went bankrupt.
Mike began his explorations of the west coast of Everglades National Park in a small-motorized canoe. His extended camping trips often pushed the limit for backcountry use, which was resolved by signing him up as a volunteer in the parks. He established his permanent camp at Lulu Key on the edge of the park boundary.
Mike developed a large circle of friends from all over the world. His place on Lulu Key became a popular spot for those seeking a little solace and a great sunset. He would spend his winters at Lulu Key and his summers traveling to such places as Alaska, Canada, and Europe.
He maintained his interest in aviation throughout his life. He enjoyed telling stories of flying old slow airplanes to distant parts of the world.
Mike will be missed by many, but his spirit of friendship, sense of adventure and dedication to the Everglades and the environment will be remembered.
[Submitted by Ben Morgan, Park Ranger]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.