Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Arrest of Elk Poacher
On November 29th, rangers from the Gallatin Subdistrict arrested a
man from Three Forks, Montana, for a violation of the Lacey Act
following several citizen reports of two men field dressing a bull elk
alongside Highway 191 well within the park. Ranger Les Brunton responded
and saw a father and son dragging part of a trophy-class, six-point bull
elk toward their vehicle. Investigation revealed that the son was the
shooter; he was arrested, booked into the West Yellowstone Police
Department jail on Lacey Act and CFR weapons charges, and subsequently
released on bond by the park's magistrate. The investigation also
revealed that the pair drove past Brunton in his marked patrol car only
a few minutes before committing the crime. Following a review by the
U.S. Attorney's Office, charges were also filed against the father. This
was the seventh known big game animal poached within Yellowstone in the
last two months.
[Submitted by Chris Fors, Special Agent]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
New Lessons Learned Info Posted
The October issue of "The Learning Curve" is now available at the Lessons Learned Center's web site: http://www.wildfirelessons.net/AIR_Sums.htm. The publication features lessons learned from recent wildland fire and all risk incidents. This edition features:
- Incident Communications — Cooperation between ranchers and operations
- Safety — IMT enhances transportation and driving safety
- Planning/Operations — Value of sand table on incidents
- Operations — Right tool for the air operations assignment
- Logistics — Locating radio repeater sites
The Lessons Learned Center also has new information on its home page at http://www.wildfirelessons.net. Read about:
Surveys — View the results of our recent surveys with wildland fire personnel:
- After Action Review Survey Results — Over 400 firefighters comment on using AARs.
- Interviews From Three Fire Camps — Thirty-eight overhead and line personnel interviewed about Montana and Idaho wildfires.
- Interviews with Rx, Fire Use and WUI experts — Thirty-five subject matter experts interviewed on pressing knowledge needs.
- Mid-Level Manager's Survey: Assessing Contributions to Firefighter Entrapments — Eleven division supervisors and branch directors interviewed at three Type 1 incidents.
- Survey — Complete a survey for all operations personnel who supervise others.
Projects — Learn about our new pilot project with the Great Basin:
- Improving Organizational Learning in Wildland Fire — Developing a knowledge management system.
- Critical Tasks of a Learning Organization — Six tasks to become and stay successful.
Sparks —Submit single ideas fast and easily to the center. Share a lesson you've learned or an effective practice you've used on an incident or in the classroom.
[Submitted by Paula Nasiatka, Center Manager]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Alaska Region
Glacier Bay Vessel Quota System Final Decision Reached
A final decision has been reached on an environmental impact statement regarding vessel quotas and operating requirements for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The record of decision, signed Friday, November 21, 2003, addresses the continuing demand for motorized vessel access into Glacier Bay in a manner that protects park resources and values, while also providing a range of opportunities for visitors that are consistent with the purposes and values of the park. The environmental impact statement, released in March 2003, had six alternatives, including a NPS preferred alternative. That preferred alternative (Number Six in the draft) was modified in the final decision. Major features of the decision include: • The current daily vessel quotas in Glacier Bay will not change. The total number of cruise ships allowed in the bay during the June-August summer season will remain at 139, with the potential for an increase to a maximum of 184. Any increases will be incremental and based on scientific and other information. • Motor vessel limits for Dundas Bay will not be put in place at this time, as proposed in the draft preferred alternative. Studies and monitoring are insufficient to warrant the immediate implementation of this program. • A 13-knot speed limit for vessels 262 feet long or longer will be in effect in the bay as needed, rather than on a year-round basis as proposed in the draft preferred alternative. The limit is in place to help protect whales in the bay, and will be imposed during times when they are abundant and dispersed through Glacier Bay. • No additional waters, islands or other areas will be closed to all motor vessels under this decision. • Several details of the vessel management program have been simplified for use by both park staff and the public. The EIS and final decision are the results of both a 1997 lawsuit and legislation in 2001. About 1,300 public comments were received on the draft environmental impact statement. Implementation of the decision will require the promulgation of regulations, which are expected to be published for public comment in early 2004 with final regulation in place in 2005. A copy of the record of decision will be available on the park web site, www.nps.gov/glba. Source: John Quinley, AKSO Communications
[Submitted by Jane Tranel, jane_tranel@nps.gov]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Yosemite National Park (CA)
GS-5 and GS-7 Seasonal LE Rangers
The park will be issuing a vacancy announcement for summer GS-5 and GS-7 seasonal law enforcement ranger positions. This announcement will be used to hire rangers throughout the park's twelve subdistricts. Positions will be filled for any time between the end of April and October. The announcement will be open from December 10th to the 23rd.
[Submitted by Lisa Helms]
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Special Agent Al DeLaCruz To Retire
Special Agent Al DeLaCruz will retire January 2 after more than 23 years in the National Park Service and additional years in federal government service.
Al began his career with the NPS as a seasonal ranger in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and will spend the last day of his career here in the parks where his career began. Al also worked in Big Thicket National Preserve, Bandelier National Monument, and as a Special Agent in Santa Fe. He and his wife Linda plan to move to the southwest where they can be closer to their grandsons and where Al might work a bit more before retiring for good.
SEKI staff will host a retirement dinner for Al January 10 in Visalia, California. Please contact Pat Grediagin by January 2 if you would like to attend or if you would like to send commemorative letters, pictures, or any other items for the party. Contact information: pat_grediagin@nps.gov, 559-565-3710, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271
[Submitted by Alexandra Picavet, Alexandra Guier-Picavet, Alexandra_Picavet@nps.gov, 559-565-3131]
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.