Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
University Instructors Convicted of Lacey Act Violations
On January 7th, two instructors from Brigham Young University in
Idaho were convicted in magistrate's court for misdemeanor Lacey Act
violations. T.G.W., 31, of Rigby, Idaho, and T.W.C., 38,
of St. Anthony, Idaho, each plead guilty to single counts of Lacey Act
violations through a plea agreement. The two men were charged after an
investigation by rangers revealed that they intentionally removed a
bighorn sheep skull and horns from within the park. T.W.C. first
discovered the sheep skull while in Yellowstone with a school group and
asked a law enforcement ranger who was with them if they could take it.
After being told that it was illegal to remove such items from the park,
T.W.C. attempted to get a permit to take the skull. After the request
for a permit was rejected, both T.W.C. and T.G.W. returned to the park and
took the skull and horns. The case was referred to Yellowstone National
Park law enforcement by Idaho fish and game wardens who discovered the
sheep skull and horns at BYU-Idaho during a separate wildlife crime
investigation. Each defendant was ordered to pay $1,750 in restitution
to the park and a $25 special assessment to the federal courts, given a
90 day suspended jail sentence, placed on federal probation for three
years and banned from entering Yellowstone National Park for two years.
During the investigation, one of the defendants initially said the skull
came from within Montana and that the ranger with him was lost. Once
both subjects were interviewed by rangers, one of whom was the alleged
"lost" ranger, full confessions were obtained. This case was primarily
investigated by rangers Dave Ross and Brian Helms, with assistance from
Idaho Fish and Game officers and guidance from Yellowstone special
agents.
[Submitted by Chris Fors, Special Agent]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Fire and Aviation Management
Memorandum: "Administrative Payment Team Cadre Nominations"
F62/P88 (9560)
January 16, 2004
Memorandum
To: Regional Directors and Center Managers
From: Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection /s/ Karen Taylor-Goodrich
Subject: Administrative Payment Team Cadre Nominations
Reply Due: February 1, 2004
Nominations are now being accepted for the Administrative Payment Team (APT) Cadre. This group is drawn upon to replace absent team members on assignments, to provide additional team members when the situation warrants, and to fill vacant team positions. The following attachments will provide information needed in the nomination process:
- General roles and responsibilities of the team members
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (to be addressed in a short narrative in #3 on the nomination form)
- Nomination form to be completed by the nominee and signed by the supervisor
The National Park Service (NPS) has four APTs which provide administrative support and on-the—spot payment capability for emergencies through the use of the Assistant Disbursing Authority granted by the U.S. Treasury. Use of these teams has ensured the economic solvency of communities adjacent to public lands impacted by these emergency incidents. Our credibility and public relations posture as an agency is partially dependent upon our ability to meet our financial obligations promptly, and the APTs have enhanced that credibility. In FY2003, these teams processed payments in excess of $12 million.
The need to continue to provide this important administrative support to areas impacted by fire and other emergencies has been proven and is a required element of our servicewide responsibility. In order to ensure the viability of the program, we need more trained employees to meet future demands. There has been significant turnover on the APTs and on the cadre. Therefore, we are again recruiting for a cadre of qualified individuals to be considered for current, as well as future APT assignments over the next two (2) years.
APT assignments are generally no more than 14 days duration, but can last up to 21 days on rare occasions. Work assignments involve long duty hours, usually 12 hours per day, in less than ideal working conditions, often in temporary office space with minimal equipment. The members normally stay in hotels in towns adjacent to the incident. Individual participants may be subjected to substantial disruption of their work and personal lives due to the nature and length of the call-outs.
The supervisors of the participants must give full support for participation in these assignments because once committed, team members are generally unable to return to their home unit until released from the incident. It is important to have firm commitments from the individuals and their supervisors on availability, particularly as fires often occur during summer vacation and end-of-the-year closeout periods. Use of emergency suppression funds is authorized to cover the team members or to backfill for the employees, who are assigned to an APT on fire suppression incidents, just as for any other emergency position.
This is a new recruitment action. All individuals nominated previously, (whether selected or not) will need to reapply to ensure future consideration. Current APT members wishing to be considered for different positions must also reapply. This cadre list will be valid for a 2-year period ending December 31, 2005 .
Interested employees and their immediate supervisors should complete the attached nomination form, and obtain approval from the Superintendent (if at park level), the Associate Regional Director (if at regional level), or the Division Chief (if service center or Washington Office level). Submit the approved form to:
Attention: Pamela Douglas
NPS, Fire Management Program Center
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 South Development Avenue
Boise , Idaho 83705-5354
Final APT cadre selections will be made by a panel consisting of the current Administrative Payment Team Leaders and the Coordinators from the Fire Management Program Center . Selections should be completed by March 30, 2004 .
If further information relating to the teams or individual position assignments is needed, please contact any of the team leaders or one of the coordinators:
- Team 1: Rose Pollard, Lake Meredith NRA, 806-857-0301
- Team 2: Debra Ledford, Kings Mountain NMP, 864-936-7921
- Team 3: Linda Kelly, Big South Fork NRRA, 423-569-2404 x238
- Team 4: Chuck Shoemake, Fort Smith NHS, 479-783-3961
Alternate Coordinators:
- Connie Dworak, Alaska Regional Office, 907-644-3322
- Pamela Douglas, Fire Management Program Center , 208-387-5211
- Merrie Johnson, Fire Management Program Center , 208-387-5224
Attachments (includes Nomination Form)
[Submitted by Pam Douglas, pam_douglas@nps.gov, 208-387-5211] More Information...
Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities
Operations Training Calendar
This calendar appears every Monday as an addendum to the Morning Report and a separate entry for InsideNPS. It is not meant to be replace the Learning Place; rather it is a quick summary of available training with links (as available) to relevant Learning Place pages. Please note:
- New and revised entries are in bold face.
- Submissions for other training courses should conform to the style used here.
- Please include the URL to the web sites where readers can obtain the requisite forms and/or find out additional information about the training course. If a URL is not specifically listed, the announcement can likely be found on the Learning Place, the NPS training page found at http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc.
- Closing dates for applications are underscored.
**********************************************************************************************
February
February 3 — February 6: EMT Refresher, Lassen Volcanic NP, CA. $50 per student. For additional information, contact Kelly_Roche@nps.gov, or call her at 530-595-4444. [Randy Coffman, WASO]
February 23 — February 25: EMS Refresher, Shenandoah NP, VA. For more information, please go to the NPS EMS web site at http://inside.nps.gov/programs/programcustommenu.cfm?menuid=1824&div=45&prog=177.
[Randy Coffman, WASO]
March
March 1 — March 5: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), FLETC, Glynco, GA. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
March 22 — April 2: Physical Security Program (PSTP-404), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on February 18th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
March 29 — April 2: Law Enforcement for Managers (LEM-402), FLETC, Glynco, GA. For a copy of the announcement, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc. The announcement closes on February 6th. [Wiley Golden, NPS/FLETC]
March 30 — April 1: Colt M-16/AR-15 Rifle/Carbine/Submachine Gun Armorer's School, Delaware Water Gap NRA, Bushkill, PA. Those attending will be provided with a complete understanding of the design theory, nomenclature, dynamics, compatibility, interchangeability, detailed disassembly, assembly, maintenance and troubleshooting of the M-16/AR-15 family of weapons and certified for three years as a model-specific Colt law enforcement armorer. The course if for LE personnel only. Cost: $375. The closing date for applications is February 29th. For additional details, contact Mike Zirwas, park ranger, at 570-588-2436 or contact him via email. [Mike Zirwas, DEWA]
April
April 6 — April 9: Wireless Telecommunication Systems, BLM Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. The three-and-a-half day course will provide participants with information on the siting, construction, operation and management of wireless telecommunications systems. Training will also focus on regulatory requirements and agency policies, distinguish among the different wireless communications technologies and services, and identify ways to improve application processing. No tuition for NPS participants. Contact Lee Dickinson via email or at 202-513-7092. For more information, go to www.ntc.blm.gov, click on "Training Central," then on the NTC course schedule. Look for "Wireless Telecommunications Systems." Applications close on January 30th. [Lee Dickinson, WASO]
April 19 — April 23: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Colorado Springs, CO. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
May
May 10 — May 14: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Prescott, AZ. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
May 24 — May 28: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Redmond, OR. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
June
June 7 — June 11: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Missoula, MT. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
June 14 — June 18: Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG FI-210), Boise, ID. The FI-210 course is designed to provide the coursework portion of the task book requirements for red card certification as a Type III fire investigator (wildland fire cause and origin). The course is open to both commissioned law enforcement and non-commissioned fire and resource management employees who are interested in developing and/or refreshing skills in fire investigation. Fore more information, contact either John Carpenter at 912-267-2607 (John.Carpenter@associates.dhs.gov) or SA Alan Foster at 530-359-2108. [Alan Foster]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM)
Chief of Resources Stewardship and Science
Are you looking for a rewarding position where you can play a pivotal role in protecting and sustaining the ecological health of a world-class national park in the desert Southwest? If this sounds like a job for you, consider applying for the Chief of the Division of Resources Stewardship and Science position at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Carlsbad Caverns, a World Heritage Site, contains large caves of world-class importance, preserves a portion of one of the best preserved Permian Age fossil reefs in the world, and contains one the few protected portions of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
The position is interdisciplinary and may be filled as a Biologist (GS-0401-13), Physical Scientist (GS-1301-13), Historian (GS-0170-13), or Archeologist (GS-0193-13). The announcement number is 04-21 CAVE, and the closing date is January 30, 2004. See the USAJOBS website, www.usajobs.opm.gov, for details.
If you have questions about the position, contact Carlsbad Caverns National Park Deputy Superintendent Chuck Barat, via e-mail or by phone 505.785.3090.
[Submitted by Chuck Barat, chuck_barat@nps.gov, 505.785.3090]
Midwest Region
Passing of Joe Beedlow
With great sadness the staff at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and (interagency) Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center announce the death of Joseph (Joe) Beedlow, age 53. Joseph passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2003 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota after a brief illness.
Joseph began his NPS career in 1996 as an Interpretive Park Ranger at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. He was one of the first NPS employees to serve visitors at the new facility. His love of the outdoors and Lake Superior region were a perfect fit with the mission of the interagency center.
Joseph served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1969 to 1973 and was stationed in Bayfield, Wisconsin, Duluth and Grand Marais, Minnesota and Baffin Island, Northwest Territories in Canada. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelors degree in Hospitality Management/Tourism. Joseph served as an instructor in the Hospitality Management/Tourism program at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Ashland for 14 years prior to his appointment with the NPS.
A memorial service was held on Saturday January 3, 2004 at the NorthernGreat Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin. Joseph will be greatly missed.
Joseph is survived by his wife Mary, who served as a NPS park dispatcher at park headquarters from 1978 through 1990, and two teen-age sons, Joseph and Charles. Memorials and condolences can be sent to the care of Park Headquarters, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Route 1, Box 4, Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814.
[Submitted by Greg Zeman, Greg_Zeman@nps.gov, (715) 779-3398]
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.