NPS Visitor and Resource Protection
The Morning Report
Monday, October 06, 2003


INCIDENTS

East Coast Areas
Hurricane Isabel Recovery Operations Continue

The following reports reflect the status of operations through Sunday. Please note below that a second URL has been posted for hurricane recovery photos that are accessible to the general public: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/HurricaneIsabel/

The incident management teams originally assigned to Hurricane Isabel recovery operations are in the process of transitioning. The following three teams will be supporting parks in Virginia and North Carolina over coming weeks:

  • Virginia Parks — Type 2 Team (Sherrie Collins)
  • Cape Lookout NS — Type 2 Team (Denny Ziemann)
  • Cape Hatteras NS — Type 2 Team (Bob Panko)

Type 1 Team (JD Swed)


Recovery efforts continue in Colonial NHP, Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP, Richmond NBP and Petersburg NBP. Crews continue to make headway in the divisions on the different assignments. These include continued clearing and cleanup of downed trees and other debris from roads and trails, repair of damaged buildings and other facilities, and the triage and salvage of the Jamestown cultural artifact collection. A team of FMSS managers is compiling the hurricane damage assessments for the 27 park units that have sustained hurricane-related damage to facilities.

On Friday afternoon, Colonial NHP announced that the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center would not reopen due to the damage sustained from Hurricane Isabel. Plans were unveiled for an interim visitor contact station that will provide a facility to support staff and visitor services until the new permanent visitor center is constructed. The new visitor center is already funded under line item construction, with work slated to begin in July, 2004. See the report from Colonial below for additional information.

There are 368 people currently assigned to this incident. These people come from a striking diversity of areas:

  • A total of 136 NPS employees from 58 parks, three regional offices and the Washington office.
  • Five interagency hotshot crews — the Augusta Hotshots from George Washington/Jefferson NF, Augusta Springs, VA; the Cherokee Hotshots from the Cherokee NF, Unicoli, TN; the Jackson Hotshots from BLM, Jackson, MS; the Navajo Hotshots, from BIA, Fort Defiance, AZ; and the Cedar City Hotshots, from Dixon NF, Cedar City, UT.
  • Three USFS/BLM crews — Idaho Panhandle NF Crew #11 from Coeur d'Alene, ID; Idaho Panhandle NF Crew #12 from Priest Lake, ID; and the USFS/BLM Colorado River Interagency Crew from Grand Junction, CO.
  • Individuals from Merritt Island NWR, FL; Pelican Island NWR, FL; the Georgia State Forestry Commission; the Texas Forest Service; the Florida Division of Forestry; the Nevada Department of Forestry; the Alaska Fire Service (BLM); San Luis Obispo FD, CA; Santa Barbara County FD, CA; Bradley County EMS, Cleveland, Tennessee; and EMT's from Mississippi and Virginia.

The cost to date for this portion of the hurricane recovery now comes to $4,303,413.


Type 2 Team (Rick Brown)


The team is continuing to:

  • identify and remediate archeological sites;
  • restore walkways, docks, ramps, and beach access in visitor areas;
  • make temporary repairs to roofs of affected strcutures;
  • remove hazard trees along roadways and trails;
  • provide security in high hazard areas;
  • assess damage to the interior of historic structures; and
  • evaluate damage to concession operations.

Temporary repairs should be completed within two weeks if ferry service is restored to the islands.

There are 189 people currently assigned to this incident, all but five of them from the National Park Service. The cost to date for this portion of the hurricane recovery now comes to $498,000.


Shenandoah NP


Several more sections of the park have reopened over the past few days:

  • The section of Skyline Drive from Swift Run Gap, where Route 33 crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains, south to the Loft Mountain area, milepost 79.5
  • Loft Mountain Campground
  • Loft Mountain Camp Store
  • Part of the Loft Mountain picnic
  • Loft Mountain Wayside
  • Skyland Stables
  • Loft Mountain Information Center

Skyline Drive from Loft Mountain south to the Rockfish Entrance Station at Waynesboro (milepost 105) remains closed, but the park expects to open the entire length of the drive by October 10th. South River and Elkwallow picnic areas remain closed due to hazardous trees. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park or may check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/shen. For information regarding the Skyland Stables, visitors should call 540-999-2210.


Cape Lookout NS


At the request of superintendent Bob Vogel, conservators from Harpers Ferry Center's conservation lab spent two days last week helping neighboring residents on Harkers Island who suffered property loss as a result of the hurricane. Wood conservator Alan Levitan and paper conservator Theresa Shockey worked with Connie Mason, a historian and collection manager from North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Core Waterfowl Museum, to evaluate, restore and repair family treasures.

Residents brought in water damaged items, including yearbooks, family photographs, and negatives, to the team members for restoration. The conservators also helped residents properly package and freeze waterlogged books to stop the growth of mold and prevent distortion, and helped salvage framed historic posters and clean mold and mildew off of wooden decoys inundated by floodwaters. Grateful residents expressed their appreciation for the help in preserving their irreplaceable treasures.

One Down East resident offered thanks to Levitan and Shockey for helping to preserve a special family heirloom. Jennifer Taylor suffered major losses during the storm, including damage to family memorabilia and photographs. A photo of her grandparents, taken at the turn of the century, was spared because it was on temporary display at the Core Sound Museum during the storm. The team of conservators made a surprise discovery when they took a closer look at the photo. When they took the backing paper off the frame, they found an envelope inside that contained Jennifer's grandfather's birth certificate from 1888, marriage certificate, and social security card. Levitan and Shockey were also able to carefully restore the glass and photograph. Ranger Karen Duggan is also helping Taylor by scanning and digitally restoring water damaged family photos. Duggan had this to say about her work: "I can't keep the water out, or rebuild their house, but I'll do everything I can to give back a memory."

Levitan and Shockey spent additional time in the park evaluating and restoring furniture and park artifacts from Portsmouth Village.


Colonial NHP


As noted last week, the NPS has decided not to reopen the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center due to damage from Hurricane Isabel. The building suffered extensive water damage from the storm surge, which occurred at high tide. The rising water deposited approximately more than four feet of water in the basement of the building, causing significant damage to the curatorial collection of approximately 600,000 artifacts from 17th century Jamestown. The building's mechanical equipment, including the electrical and HVAC systems, was destroyed by the flood.

Although the visitor center is structurally sound and could be renovated, the projected cost and the approaching 400th anniversary observance in 2007 were important factors in the decision to close. The building suffered more than $2 million in damage. With construction of the new visitor center scheduled to begin in 2004, it didn't make sense to repair the current building.

The replacement of the Jamestown Visitor Center will occur in two phases. Initially, a modular trailer will serve as a temporary visitor facility and office space, providing 1,536 square feet of space for visitors and park staff. It should be installed by approximately October 15th. The site will reopen to public use when the area has been made safe and all utilities have been restored.

Eventually, this temporary trailer will be replaced by an interim visitor contact station. Designed by Williamsburg architectural firm Carlton Abbott & Partners, this facility will provide visitor orientation areas, exhibit space, retail facilities, and office space for park staff. The interim facility, providing 2,880 square feet of space, will be located in the current bus parking area. When the new permanent Jamestown Visitor Center opens, currently scheduled for 2006, this interim visitor contact station will be utilized as part of the new transportation center that will be built at Neck of Land along the Colonial Parkway.

Historic Jamestowne suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Isabel, when a combination of storm surge and high tide cause extensive flooding and water damage across Jamestown Island. Electrical power is still out on the site. Storm water breached the basement of the Jamestown Visitor Center, causing extensive damage to the building's utilities, as well as a portion of the park's curatorial collection. The Jamestown Glasshouse likewise suffered extensive flooding from the James River storm surge. Hundreds of trees are down along the Loop Drive, and two of the wooden bridges along the route were removed from their footings.

For additional information on storm damage at Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield or the Colonial Parkway, contact the park's public affairs office at 757-898-2409.


George Washington Birthplace NM


The park has made considerable headway in recovering from the storm. In-house assessments of tree and structural damage have been completed, and all main park roads have been cleared and opened. The visitor center is tentatively scheduled to reopen this morning.

A number of cultural resources were impacted directly and/or indirectly from the storm. Severity of impacts range from complete loss to simple ground disturbance. Due to the saturation of soils prior to the storm, numerous trees tipped and exposed buried artifacts. Of significance was the loss of a tree adjacent to the birth site which exposed bricks from the original structure. Surface and cliff erosion in numerous locations revealed additional artifacts. A known archeological site was completely lost, including areas of the coast along the Potomac River. Severe coastal erosion removed up to 50 feet of cliff line, approximately 15 to 20 years equivalent erosion in 24 hours, taking with it an extensive middle- to late-woodland period site.

Cultural landscape features impacted include ales and groves of trees established by the War Department in the 1890s and the Memorial Association in the 1930s. Ales to the beach and gravesite as well as the traffic circle and gravel road to the historic core suffered much loss. Burnt House Point, near the Memorial House and Duck Hall, at the picnic area, sustained a significant loss of historic eastern red cedar trees. The nature trail lost approximately 60 trees and efforts continue to make the path accessible. In total, the park lost over 300 trees in all public areas. The Ice Pond dam also sustained damage. An indirect result of the storm is the remediation efforts that have created new roads to haul away downed trees. These grasslands and lawns will need to be rehabilitated with topsoil and seeded. The beaches have a significant amount of debris that will need to be removed.

Historic structures fared fairly well, considering, although some damage was sustained. Several structures lost shingling, two structures had limbs that went through roofs into the interior of the structure, additional structural damage associated with falling limbs occurred as well as interior water damage around doors, windows, and dormers and within cellars of historic structures.


Additional Information

  • NPS Interactive Map Center — Select maps of parks affected by the hurricane: http://maps2.itc.nps.gov/nps/parkatlas/jsp/atlas.jsp
  • Hurricane Photo Gallery — Photos showing impacts of hurricane on parks and recovery efforts (available only within the NPS): http://inside.nps.gov/people/hurricane/
  • NEW: Public Affairs Hurricane Photo Gallery — A second gallery of shots, this one accessible by those of you reading this on the public edition of the Morning Report (the above gallery is available only within the NPS): http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/HurricaneIsabel/
  • NPS IMT Web Page — Home page for NPS incident management teams: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/

Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Mark Harvey, Resource Unit Leader, Type 1 IMT; Michelle Fidler, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA.



Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)
Guilty Pleas Entered in Armed Robbery Case

The last of three defendants in a robbery case previously reported in these pages pled guilty in Federal district court on September 26th. Last October, F.C., who is blind and has glass eyes, was befriended by J.H., 20, and R.P., 21, both of LaPorte, Indiana. They had just met F.C. and offered him a ride home. The trio spent some time riding around in J.H.'s van. F.C. bought J.H. and R.P. beer in return for the ride. R.P. helped F.C. buy the beer and saw that F.C. had a "roll of money." There was talk about purchasing and sharing drugs, with F.C. going so far as to buy syringes for that purpose. J.H. and R.P. took F.C. to the home of C.L., 26, of Michigan City, Indiana, supposedly to purchase drugs. Instead, J.H., R.P. and C.L. agreed to take F.C. to a "country road" and take his money. R.P. drove the group to the Mount Baldy parking lot in the park. J.H., C.L. and F.C. got out of the van, after which J.H. hit F.C. in the head from behind with a PR-24 baton. F.C. tried to get back into the van, but C.L. pulled him out and onto the ground. F.C. was struck several more times with the baton while trying to protect his money. Only after his left forearm was badly broken did F.C. give up his money, about $750. J.H., R.P. and C.L. fled from the scene, leaving F.C. bleeding and semi-conscious. Over the next two days, they spent the money on motel rooms, alcohol and marijuana. F.C. tried to get help by walking toward traffic sounds on nearby US Highway 12. Due to his injuries and because his cane was taken by the three men, he staggered into the woods bordering the parking lot, got tangled in vegetation, fell down and could not get up. After about an hour and a half, F.C. was found by rangers Steve Chorba and Gabe Bell, who heard him yelling for help. Numerous rangers and two special agents processed the crime scene and took statements from F.C., who was treated for numerous lacerations and a fractured left arm. Over the course of the next eight months, the three suspects were identified. Key to the case were two store security tapes which showed R.P. and J.H. with the victim when the beer and syringes were purchased and some motel receipts in C.L.'s name. Each of the three suspects was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of robbery. Chorba and Bell arrested J.H. and C.L.; R.P. was arrested by local police when he came to a probation office just about the time an NPS agent was faxing a copy of the warrant on R.P. to his probation officer. Each man faces up to 15 years in prison, with their actual sentences depending on the pre-sentence investigations. Other agencies assisting were the LaPorte City and Michigan City police departments, Indiana State Police crime scene unit and lab, LaPorte County probation office and the HIDTA investigative support office. After the final guilty plea, the assistant U.S. attorney offered the following: "Sometimes you get one that makes you feel good. We took some real thugs off the street."
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's Office]



Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Two Fatal Boating-Related Accidents

Just before midnight on Sunday, September 28th, a boat with four people on board ran aground on Cottonwood Island on Lake Mojave. E.H., 38, was killed, and her three passengers were injured. All three were taken to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. While awaiting the arrival of the hearse to pick up the victim the next morning, rangers were contacted by visitors and told about a body floating on the water near the middle of Lake Mohave. Rangers, agents and staff from the coroner's office responded and recovered the body of N.R., 22. On September 20th, N.R. had jumped into the lake from the top of a houseboat and failed to resurface. Divers had made several unsuccessful efforts to find his body at that time.
[Submitted by Willie Lopez, District Ranger]



Death Valley National Park (CA)
Assist with Structural Fire

On the evening of Sunday, September 28th, the park's structural fire brigade and an ambulance were dispatched to a structural fire in the commissary building at Furnace Creek Ranch to assist the Furnace Creek Ranch fire brigade. Park responders represented every division in the park. It appears that the air conditioner had overheated and started a fire in the outbuilding. The fire was extinguished; no injuries or significant damage occurred. Firefighters provided salvage to the commissary area, which had sustained water damage. One firefighter from the Furnace Creek Volunteer Fire Department was checked for smoke inhalation.
[Submitted by Nancy Wizner, Chief Ranger]




FIRE MANAGEMENT

Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Summary

The national fire summary has been suspended due to the relative lack of activity. It will resume if conditions warrant. Park reports will still appear, as appropriate.

For a copy of the current NIFC situation report, go to http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf



Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Poplar Complex (Wildland Fire)

The Poplar Complex, consisting of the Poplar, Big, and Corral Fires, is being managed under a suppression strategy on Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim. These fires are burning at various intensities, in a mixed conifer ecosystem, with heavy fuels on the ground and wind variations. Fire behavior primarily consists of low intensity surface flames, with some torching of single trees or groups of trees. (full report)
A cold front moved in to Grand Canyon on Thursday and blanketed the Poplar Complex with heavy precipitation resulting in greatly reduced fire activity. Within the past 24 hours, high humidity, low temperatures and six tenths of an inch of rain and hail have stopped the fire advance. Precipitation, including rain and snow, is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. The weather's affect on the fire has prompted fire management to begin releasing crews, support equipment and most personnel. Both the Big and Corral Fires have been contained. The Poplar Fire Complex will be turned back to the Grand Canyon National Park on Sunday. The Poplar Fire is expected to continue to burn at low intensity but is not expected to affect visitor use of the North Rim.
Status
October 3, 2003: All North Rim services are open, including lodge, dining facilities, campground and associated operations.
Acreage: Poplar Fire: 3/Oct/03 = 7,726 acres; 2/Oct/03 = 7,186; 1/Oct/03 = 7,180 acres; 30/Sep/03 = 6,855 acres; 29/Sep/03 = 3,065 acres; 28/Sep/03 = 1,730 acres; 26/Sep/03 = 1,121 acres; 16/Sep/03 = 15 acres
Estimated containment date: unknown




OPERATIONAL NOTES

NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
All-Risk Instructors Sought

The National Park Service staff at FLETC is looking for several individuals to help instruct I-200 to NPS basic trainees. Both I-100 and I-200 have been added to the basic curriculum of the National Park Service Integrated Training Program. They are seeking qualified individuals with prior teaching experience to teach I-200 with an all-risk theme. Currently, there are eight basic classes per year. FLETC will cover all travel and per diem costs. If interested, please send either Don Usher or JR Tomasovic an e-mail.
[Submitted by JR Tomasovic]




PARKS AND PEOPLE

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (MD)
GS-025-7/9 LE Ranger

Fort McHenry is currently advertising for a law enforcement ranger on USAJobs. The park is located in Baltimore and housing may be available. The person in this position will provide law enforcement, counter-terrorism support, emergency services and event management, and will work closely with a mostly non-law enforcement staff. The park hosts a dozen special events per year and works closely with the Baltimore Police Department and Fire Department. The park also serves as the landing site for the President when he visits Baltimore, on average once per year. This is a great opportunity for rangers who already have patrol experience and want to expand into special event management, counter-terrorism and security and work in an interagency environment. For further information, contact chief ranger Charlie Strickfaden, 410-962-4290 ext. 224.
[Submitted by Charlie Strickfaden]



Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
GS-025-9 Lateral Reassignment Opportunity

The park has an opening for a lateral reassignment for a GS-025-9 full performance ranger. The position is located in the Boulder Basin District, which includes both front and backcountry areas with high volume, year round visitation and typical LE shift work. Rangers with skills in EMS, fire, SAR, and vessel operation will be given special consideration. If you are interested in a lateral transfer or have questions regarding the position, please contact Mary Hinson, Tommy Valenta, or Billy Shott via email before Friday, October 10th.
[Submitted by Billy Shott]



Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)
GS-11 Supervisory Park Ranger

The park has an announcement out (PORE-03-29-MPP) for a GS-11 supervisory park ranger. This is a permanent full-time commissioned position, designated as secondary-administrative under 6c, and is also a required occupancy position. The person in this position will supervise the daily operation of the visitor protection program, including law enforcement, emergency operations, investigations, and resource protection. She/he will supervise up to six GS-9 patrol rangers in a program which includes frontcountry, backcountry, and water-based patrols. This is a great opportunity to supervise a full range LE program in a park with both land and water-based activity. Applications must be postmarked by the closing date, October 23rd. For information about this position, contact chief ranger Colin Smith at 415-464-5175 or Colin_Smith@nps.gov.
[Submitted by Colin Smith, Chief Ranger]




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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.