Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Border Incidents
Rangers responded to a number of significant incidents last month:
- February 7 — Rangers tracked a group of suspected narcotics smugglers about four miles through the backcountry north of Dripping Springs. Ten smugglers were taken into custody at gunpoint and 400 pounds of marijuana was seized. The men were armed with knives and had been using marijuana and methamphetamine. One had a two-way radio in his possession and later admitted to being a guide for the group. Air support was provided by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Blackhawk helicopter.
- February 28 — Rangers discovered evidence of narcotics backpackers entering the U.S. on foot in a remote area of the park. An NPS tactical tracking team pursued them cross-country for about four miles to a location where they were found resting in a wash. With the assistance of a Customs unit, four of them were arrested at gunpoint; another five fled on foot. Seven backpacks were seized with just over 380 pounds of marijuana. One of the four arrested was armed with a knife and later admitted to being paid $1,000 to deliver the load.
- February 29 — Rangers patrolling a known smuggling trail found hidden narcotics backpacks in a mountain pass, with several suspected smugglers in the area. Backup was requested and arrived in the form of a Customs Blackhawk helicopter and a five-member NPS tactical team. Eleven people were arrested at gunpoint and six packs containing 285 pounds of marijuana were seized. All were armed with knives and carrying cocaine for personal use. Three other men who were in a lookout position watching the rangers fled on foot when the helicopter arrived. Four of the 11 were turned over to Customs and NPS special agents for prosecution; seven others were turned over to the Border Patrol.
[Submitted by Fred Patton, Chief Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
FTEP Program Update
The NPS office at FLETC is announcing that the field training and evaluation program will continue as planned for the current and upcoming basic classes. The field training parks, field training leads and field training evaluators should continue with all planned activities associated with this program. If additional information is needed, please go to the NPS/FLETC web site or contact superintendent Paul Henry at 912-267-2245.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Mesa Verde National Park (CO)
Plans Underway for Centennial Reunion in 2006
On June 29, 2006, Mesa Verde National Park will celebrate 100 years as the first national park set aside to preserve the works of man. In order to commemorate such a significant milestone, Mesa Verde National Park staff, the Mesa Verde Museum Association, and ARAmark Mesa Verde Company, our park concessionaire, are working together to plan a year long celebration in 2006.
A web site has been established to provide details on the events associated with the centennial. It can be found at http://www.mesaverde2006.org/
Among the events being planned is a reunion of all past employees, set for the four-day period from Friday, October 13, 2006, to Monday, October 16, 2006 — the Columbus Day weekend. A mailing list is being established in an effort to contact everyone who once worked at the park, no matter in what capacity. If you worked there or know the address of someone who worked there and would like to be kept abreast of developments regarding the reunion, please contact the park at either meve_centennial@nps.gov or info@mesaverde2006.org.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen, MEVE Alumni]
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
GS-11 Subdistrict Ranger
The park has an opening for a GS-11 supervisory park ranger (subdistrict ranger). This is a 6c secondary coverage position and requires a Level I commission and EMT-B certificate within a year of EOD. The person selected will serve as subdistrict ranger for the East Entrance Subdistrict and will be stationed at the East Entrance of the park. Occupancy is required. She/he supervises a permanent staff of two and seasonal staff of from five to seven. Significant subdistrict workload factors include emergency medical incidents, structural fire alarms, wildland fires, motor vehicle accidents, and search and rescue incidents. Implementation of the park's bear management and resource management program, cooperation with special research project groups, and a significant winter use season (snowmobile, ski, avalanche control) contribute to the complexity of the subdistrict. The announcement will be out from March 9th to the 22nd.
[Submitted by Lisa Helms]
Alaska Region
GS-025-11 Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation)
Dates: 04/18/2004
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is seeking interested applicants for a 3-5-month detail opportunity at the GS 11 grade level. The position is Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation), GS-0025-11.
Serves as a first line supervisor and is responsible for management and execution of the personal services component of the park's interpretive program, which includes onboard interpretive programs on cruise ships and tour boats, visitor center operations, formal walks and talks, roving interpretation, community outreach and education, as well as media development and the evaluation of concession operations as they relate to interpretation. This requires sharing with another supervisory ranger the supervision of 12-16 seasonal rangers (Interpretation) GS-7 and GS-5, boat operators WG-6, student interns, and volunteers. Must be physically able to climb rope ladders up to 15 feet in height during underway transfers between vessels.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve has unsurpassed beauty and amazing glaciers and wildlife! Park headquarters is located at Bartlett Cove, at the southern edge of Glacier Bay. Gustavus, a community of about 350 in winter and 600 in summer, is connected to the park headquarters by a paved road. Bartlett Cove and Gustavus are accessible only by boat and air. Gustavus has a school, post office, chapel, hardware and grocery store, medical clinic and a restaurant that is open 7 months of the year. One TV station (Satellite TV service is available) and a VCR/DVD rental outlet are available in Gustavus as well as some radio stations received. Daily air taxi service is available to Juneau and other communities. Most supplies and equipment are flown in or transported by barge from Juneau or the "Lower 48". Recreational activities center around outdoor pursuits related to water sports. Average rainfall is 50-70 inches and average summer temperatures range from 55-65.
Glacier Bay will pay salary and travel. Government housing will be available and paid by Glacier Bay. Tentative EOD will be 04/18/04.
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Chief of Interpretation, Kris Nemeth at 907-697-2620 or kris.nemeth@nps.gov
[Submitted by Kris Nemeth, kris_nemeth@nps.gov, 907-697-2620]
Midwest Region
Corps of Discovery II Detail
Dates: 03/03/2004 - 03/27/2004
Lewis and Clark NHT is accepting applications for a detail opportunity with the Corps of Discovery II project. The detail opportunity is for a GS-07 Logistics Assistant to work within the area of logistics as it relates to set-up and strike labor, community relations, transportation of the Corps II model keelboat and staff support.
This position requires fulltime travel with the Corps II exhibit. Up to two positions may be filled under this announcement and each will last a minimum of six months with the possibility of an extension through October 2006. LECL will pay for the travel, per diem, wages and benefits s up to the GS-07 level.
If employees are interested in being considered for this opportunity they need to send their application or resume and a letter of approval from their supervisor to Betty Boyko, Administrative Officer at 1709 Jackson Street; Omaha, NE 68102 or via email to betty_boyko@nps.gov.
[Submitted by Betty Boyko, betty_boyko@nps.gov, (402) 661-1812]
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.