Servicewide
Flags Ordered To Half Staff
President Bush has ordered that all U.S. flags be lowered to half staff
"as a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II."
More Information...
INCIDENTS
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Follow-up on Major Spring Flood
Although the Delaware River yesterday fell about ten feet from its
crest of nearly 32 feet on Sunday evening, river water was still so high
that all major road closures remained in place through the day. A small
section at the south end of Route 209 was opened to traffic late in the
day. This morning, maintenance crews will work on the segment of Route
209 from its intersection with Route 739 to the southern edge of
Milford, with the objective of reopening it to traffic late today or
Wednesday. They will then move on to the remaining section of Route 209
from Route 739 to Bushkill. This section is being done last because it
was most affected by floodwaters and will require the most work. Park
staff are also busy repairing buildings and utilities and undertaking
the time-consuming process of completing an accurate damage assessment
of all roads, facilities and other resources in the 70,000-acre park.
Rangers and other personnel are stationed at barricades at key junctions
throughout the park, 24 hours per day. The managers of the
privately-owned Dingmans Ferry toll bridge, located within park
boundaries, hope to reopen that bridge by some time on Tuesday, but it's
not yet certain that they will meet that objective. The incident is
being managed under ICS, with more than 50 people committed to the
operation.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen, Information Officer]
Arches National Park (UT)
Falling Fatality
On Sunday, March 27th, an 18-year-old man from Orem, Utah, fell to his
death near the boat ramp area along the Colorado River. The fatality was
within the legislated boundary of Arches National Park but occurred in a
section of land that is patented to Grand County for recreational
purposes. The fall was not witnessed, but evidence suggests that
he was scrambling up a cliff when he fell approximately 15 to 20 feet,
then tumbled another 15 to 20 feet. He sustained massive facial and head
trauma in the fall. Although he had companions with him that day, they'd
left the area. His body was found late in the afternoon, but it's
believed that he fell earlier in the day. The Grand County Sheriff's
Office is taking the lead in the investigation.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Blue Ridge Parkway
Passing of Ranger Eileen Fenton
Ranger Eileen A. Fenton died on Sunday, April 3rd, following a prolonged illness. Eileen's career with the Service began in 1993 at Fire Island. She moved to Blue Ridge Parkway in April, 1999, and had worked at the Sandy Flats Station in the Highlands District since then. She graduated from LMTP-005 in July, 2000, and from the seasonal law enforcement training program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in July, 1996. She also held an AAS degree from the State University of New York at Farmingtondale. Eileen is survived by three children and her husband. Details of services have not been announced, but interment is planned for a location in her home state of New York.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ND)
Detail as GS-025-11 or 12 Chief Ranger
The park is seeking applicants for a 60 to 120 day detail as GS-025-11 or 12 chief ranger. The starting date is negotiable, but the park would prefer that it begin in April. Resumes (not to exceed two pages) will be accepted from current National Park Service employees at the GS-11 or GS-12 level with a valid law enforcement commission, serving under a career or career conditional appointment. Employees currently at the GS-11 level who qualify, will receive a temporary promotion to GS-12. The chief ranger provides supervision, leadership and mentoring for three GS-9 rangers, a GS-5/7/9 ranger, a GS-11 FMO, and a GS-6 supervisory visitor use assistant. In addition to a full range of law enforcement, emergency services, and safety management responsibilities, the chief ranger is expected to foster good relations between divisions and work closely with other members of the management team to complete short and long range planning and manage park operations on an ongoing basis. The position is based in Medora (population 103), which is located on I-94 in western North Dakota, 26 miles from the Montana line. Medora is a mostly seasonal town with limited winter services including a U.S. post office, bank, restaurant, convenience store/gas station, and a few shops. Additional services are located in Beach (22 miles) and Belfield (18 miles). Medical facilities, supermarkets, and shopping mall are located in Dickinson (35 miles). The winter is invigorating, with temperatures sometimes reaching -25 degrees F. High winds are common in winter. Skies are usually sunny. Snow is sporadic in the relatively dry climate, but blizzards are possible. Theodore Roosevelt National Park will pay base salary, travel for the employee, and provide an efficiency apartment in the park for housing during the detail. Resumes must be received by April 11th. For more info, contact superintendent Valerie Naylor at 701-623-4466 ext. 3409; for details on applying, contact Denise Stewart at 605-745-1121.
[Submitted by Denise Stewart]
Big Bend National Park (TX)
GS-025-9 Protection Ranger
The park is seeking qualified candidates interested in a lateral transfer assignment. The position available is located in the East District at Rio Grande village and offers traditional ranger experiences, including wildland and structural fire, EMS, SAR, backcountry and horse patrol duties, river patrol, and a full range of visitor and resource protection assignments within the 801,167 acre park. Interested persons should contact district ranger David Van Inwagen at 432-477-2597 for further information.
[Submitted by CRO]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found by clicking here. 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 Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.