North Cascades National Park (WA)
Major Landslides Fall in Park
October rains brought flooding, avalanches, and debris flows to the
park, damaging roads, bridges, trails, and buildings. As much as 10
inches of rain fell in 48 hours in some areas. The natural processes
which damaged infrastructure also added another to the park's count of
245 natural lakes. Sometime in the latter half of October, a very large
landslide occurred on the east slope of Trappers Peak, falling into
Goodell Creek, which meets the North Cascades Highway just west of the
town of Newhalem. The avalanche dammed the creek, and a subsequent
outburst flood distributed rock and large woody debris a quarter mile or
more downstream. The remaining lake occupies about five acres. A few
weeks later, several million cubic yards of rock descended Afternoon and
Falls Creeks just east of Newhalem, damaging the North Cascades Highway
and cutting off the town of Diablo. Another large quantity of rock
remains poised above the highway and the adjacent Skagit River. There is
the potential for the next rockfall to dam the river and, in combination
with predicted heavy rains, threaten the town of Newhalem. Most of the
40 residents have left the town, which is owned by Seattle City Light,
the public utility which operates three dams further up the Skagit
River. The National Park Service is cooperating with Seattle City Light,
the Washington State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Geological
Survey, and Skagit and Whatcom Counties in assessing the situation and
planning the response to future events.
[Submitted by Tim Manns]
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA)
Assault on Ranger
On Wednesday, November 12th, ranger Raquel Lopez was conducting a
bike patrol of Crissy Field when she saw two men on the beach allowing
their dogs to run unrestrained. Lopez contacted the two men and asked
each of them to leash their dogs. Once the dogs were restrained, she
asked for identification. During this contact, one of the men —
later identified as J.P. — became agitated and verbally
abusive. J.P. repeatedly refused to comply with Lopez and her request
to see identification. Lopez summoned backup. When J.P. attempted to
leave, she commanded him to stop. He kept on going, so she grabbed his
dog's leash. J.P. became enraged and began striking Lopez's arms. Park
Police officer William Battista arrived on scene first. J.P. stopped
striking Lopez, but continued to use profanity and refused to comply.
Battista and Lopez were finally able to handcuff J.P. after a
struggle. J.P. was taken into custody and charged with assault on a
federal officer and other offenses. This incident is the second assault
in two months for violation of the leash regulation. Enforcement of the
leash regulation in all areas of the park continues to be highly debated
by the visiting public during the negotiated rule-making process.
[Submitted by Kim Coast, Supervisory Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Director/Deputy Directors
Director's Order Released On Civic Engagement and Public Involvement
Director Mainella issued this statement regarding the release of this Director's Order:
"As I signed this Director's Order on November 14 on Capitol Hill, I joined with Congressman George Radanovich, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands, in realizing a new and higher commitment to Congress and the American public.
"This policy articulates our commitment to civic engagement and public involvement, and to having all National Park Service units and offices adopt civic engagement as the essential foundation and framework for creating plans and developing programs.
"This policy also clarifies and strengthens our commitment to legally required public participation and involvement as it relates to accomplishing our mission and management responsibilities, specifically, 'to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.'
"As I said in September, I strongly support DO-75A and stand by its intent and commitment 100%. The National Leadership Council joined with me as I signed the transmittal memo at our meeting on November 17 at the Joint Ventures: Partnerships in Stewardship Conference. I look forward to seeing us develop the tools and resources to make civic engagement and public involvement some of our best practices ever in the NPS!"[Submitted by Marcia Keener, Office of Policy and Regulations, 202-208-4298] More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Intermountain Region
Collin Campbell Named Superintendent of Padre Island
DENVER — Intermountain Regional Director Steve Martin announced today that Colin Campbell, acting assistant superintendent at Grand Teton National Park, has been named superintendent at Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi, Texas. He will assume his new responsibilities in early January 2004. Campbell replaces Jock Whitworth who was recently appointed as superintendent at Zion National Park in Utah.
"Colin has demonstrated outstanding skills in managing the complex daily operations at Grand Teton," stated Regional Director Martin. "His experience and expertise will serve him well in this new post as superintendent at Padre Island."
"I am very excited about being appointed superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore," said Campbell. "The change from a mountain to a marine environment will bring many interesting challenges. I look forward to, and welcome, the opportunity to work with local community leaders and the park's partners on the important issues that affect protection of this unique barrier island ecosystem."
A 24-year veteran with the National Park Service, Campbell began his career in 1979 as a seasonal park ranger at Yosemite National Park in California. He worked at Yosemite for twelve years in several ranger positions before transferring to Buffalo National River in Arkansas as a law enforcement specialist in 1991. Campbell became Grand Teton National Park's law enforcement specialist in 1992 - a position he held for two years. In 1994, Campbell was promoted to chief park ranger at Grand Teton; he served in this position until June 2002 when he accepted a temporary assignment as the acting assistant superintendent. For the past 16 months, Campbell has had direct oversight of the park's daily operations and budget management.
Prior to joining the National Park Service, Campbell worked as a wildland firefighter for the California Department of Forestry in Cambria, California. He is a 1980 graduate from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management.
Campbell has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career with the National Park Service, including the Superior Service Award. In addition to his work duties, Campbell participated as a volunteer for several community organizations such as Crimestoppers and youth athletic programs.
His wife, Janet Campbell, is a business resources specialist at Grand Teton National Park. The Campbells' have two daughters; Sarah is a junior at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and Carolyn is a senior at Jackson Hole High School.
-- NPS --
[Submitted by Patricia Turley, patricia_turley@nps.gov, 505-988-6745]
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.