Vicksburg National Military Park (MS)
Park Damaged By High Winds
Two tornadoes, along with high velocity straight-line winds exceeding those experienced during Hurricane Katrina, blew through Warren County just before noon on Friday, April 4th. The tornadoes passed by the park on either side, but straight-line winds over 80 mph struck it with full force. Staff immediately closed the park tour road and escorted visitors through the only open portion leading out of the park. This necessitated travel in the opposite direction along the one-way road. Two crews were then assembled to remove approximately 20 trees that had fallen across the road, which was reopened at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Damage assessments continue. So far, staff have discovered that two roofs suffered minor damage and that railings on the park's longest bridge were bent. Fortunately, Federal Highways staff are in the park this week and are assisting with plans for repairing the railings. [Submitted by Monika Mayr, Superintendent]
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Felony Indictments For Assault And Robbery
On March 27th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona, indicted six people on two felony counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two felony counts of robbery in a case that originated at Lake Mead. On February 24th, park rangers and special agents arrested them after two men reported that they'd been assaulted and robbed on a beach near Kingman Wash on the Arizona side of the lake. Both men suffered serious head and facial trauma, as well as numerous other injuries, and were taken to a hospital. A crime scene investigation by rangers and agents led to the discovery of large amounts of blood on the rocks and dirt in the campsite area. Each of the six arrested had blood on his clothing and hands; each had more than $500 in cash, with blood visible on several of the bills. Three of the suspects have been identified as being affiliated with a white supremacist gang in Las Vegas. Special agents continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in ongoing gang investigations. [Submitted by Kristy J. McGee, Special Agent]
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Taser Used On Drunk And Abusive Wrangler
On Thursday, April 3rd, the ranger working at Phantom responded to calls for assistance from the Phantom Ranch staff, who were dealing with a drunken wrangler at the ranch canteen who was being both verbally and physically abusive. The ranger used her taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. Providing her with backup proved a challenge. Phantom is 5,000 feet below the canyon rim and accessible only by foot, mule or helicopter. Since it was almost dark, the park helicopter could not respond. Lack of moonlight also meant that a Department of Public Safety helicopter equipped with night vision goggles was also unable to fly. Two rangers therefore had to hike down the seven-and-a-half-mile long trail to support the ranger during the wrangler's overnight custody. While waiting the two hours for backup to arrive and still managing the belligerent wrangler, the ranger also had to take care of a 14-year-old girl who had suffered second and third degree burns at the Phantom campground. The burned girl and the wrangler were flown out on the first two park helicopter flights the next morning. [Submitted by John Evans, Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
41
WASO Seeks Information On Lead Ammunition
The Washington Office is now collecting information from parks about the amount of lead released at outdoor firing ranges, lead recycling, and the use of non-leaded ("green") ammunition for calendar year 2007. Unlike last year, all parks must complete the survey. There is no exemption from reporting this year.
The data will be collected electronically via the Annual Lead Release/Green Ammunition Use Survey on InsideNPS (click on "More Information" below). This webpage also contains two documents to assist parks in calculating leaded and green ammunition usage. Replies are due no later than July 1st.
The data collected from this annual survey allows WASO to track trends for specific facilities and across the Service. The WASO Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Services Division and the WASO Park Facility Management Division are working together to collect this data and reduce the Service's overall toxic chemical releases.
Reminder: Beginning October 1st, green ammunition must be used for all qualification and training exercises. Green ammunition is not authorized for duty carry. For more information, refer to the Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Services webpage on Inside NPS called Green Ammo / Non-Toxic Frangible.
If you have any questions, please contact Carl Wang, Branch Chief, Environmental Management, at (202) 513-7033, or Jill Kinney, NPS Armorer, at (912) 261-3762. Please direct any technical questions concerning completion of the web-based survey to the attention of either Thomas Smith, Contractor, at (202) 513-7077, or Fred Sturniolo, Environmental Protection Specialist, Park Facility Management Division, at (202) 513-7078.
[Submitted by Carl Wang, carl_wang@nps.gov, (202) 513-7033]
More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)
GS-11/12 Program Manager/Public Relations/Park Ranger
Indiana Dunes has issued an interdisciplinary (GS-0340, GS-0025, GS-1035) announcement for a person to serve as the park's civil engagement and volunteer program manager. The person selected for this new position will be responsible for primary coordination and direction of the park's volunteer program, public affairs program, partnerships coordination, and maintaining communications with area governments and NGOs. For full details on duties and copies of the several different announcements, click on the link below. The announcement closes on April 18th.
[Submitted by Terry Martin, Human Resource Officer]
More Information...
Natchez Trace Parkway (AL,MS,TN)
GL-0025-9 Protection Ranger
Natchez Trace Parkway has issued an announcement for a GL-0025-9 protection ranger. It closes on April 22nd.
The position is located in Tupelo, Mississippi, which has been listed as one of the ten most progressive small cities in the United States. Schools are modern and considered excellent. Two-year, four-year, and graduate level colleges are available. Tupelo is both a regional shopping and regional medical center, offering a full-spectrum of services. Cultural offerings include numerous historic sites, museums, craft centers, art galleries, a coliseum hosting national talent and events, and a variety of annual festivals. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, including fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and boating. Houses and apartments are available for purchase or rent at moderate prices. While the summer season can be hot and humid, spring and autumn are pleasant and winter is generally mild. If you have any questions about the position, please contact district ranger Kim Kortuis by email or at 662-680-4056.
[Submitted by Allen S. Etheridge, Chief Ranger]
More Information...
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.