NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, February 23, 2009
NOTICE
There was no issue last Friday due to a power outage in Washington that affected NPS email and web systems.
INCIDENTS
Biscayne NP
Fishermen With Illegal Take Have Option Of Fines, Education
On January 2nd, rangers stopped a boat in Hurricane Creek for fishing violations. The fishermen had 49 mangrove snappers on board, a total that was 29 over the bag limit. Moreover, only eight of the fish were longer than the legal size limit of ten inches. Multiple citations were issued to the fishermen, including a $1,575 citation for the bag limit violation and a $2,125 citation for the undersized fish. Through an agreement with the Department of Justice, rangers can offer a fisheries education course as an alternative to paying a fine or appearing in court. The four-hour course, developed by the park's resource management staff, is designed to educate anglers on fishing regulations and responsible fishing techniques. To date, more than 93 people have participated in this course and no course participants have become repeat offenders. The captain of the boat will also have the option of taking the class as an alternative for the bag limit violation, but will have to pay or appear in court for the undersize fish violation. [Didier Carod, Chief Ranger]
Golden Gate NRA
Park Police Officers Thwart Attempted Suicide
Officer Scott Huther was heading south across the Golden Gate Bridge late on the morning of February 19th when he saw a vehicle in front of him stop in the midst of heavy traffic half way across the bridge. The driver got out, climbed over the guardrail and the pedestrian railing on the west side, and prepared to jump off the bridge. Huther stopped and followed her to the walkway railing, calling to her in attempt to stop her from jumping. He continued to talk to her as she leaned over the side of the bridge, but she told him that she'd jump if he came any closer. Huther radioed for assistance and was joined by sergeant Todd Roth, a trained hostage negotiator. Roth established rapport with the woman and worked his way to a closer but safe distance on the walkway above her. He got her to talk with him and found that she was distraught over her disabled son and pending divorce. After about 30 minutes, she accepted Roth's invitation to come back over the railing for a cigarette and further conversation. As she neared the railing, trained bridge personnel, who were secured by tethers to the bridge, grabbed the woman and pulled her to safety. Roth then took her to a state police satellite office in the bridge's east parking lot, where she was turned over to state officers and taken to Marin General Hospital for assistance. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Roth and Huther, this potential suicide of a distraught young mother was prevented. [Lt. Constance A. Leonard, United States Park Police]
Lake Meredith NRA
Man Commits Suicide By Hanging
On the afternoon of February 17th, rangers were off-duty, preparing for a workout, when they heard local radio traffic concerning a possible suicide in or near Rosita Flats, which is in the west end of the park. Potter County Sheriff's Department officers responded and secured the scene and were subsequently joined by ranger Jake Olson. They found that a 28-year-old Amarillo man had hung himself from a tree. A woman who was with him said that he'd gotten out of their vehicle, climbed a tree, tied a strap around it and his neck, them jumped. The county is leading the investigation. A suicide note was found, and the coroner subsequently confirmed that cause of death was consistent with a hanging. A blood test came back positive for several drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine. [Paul D. Jones Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS, found at HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index . They can also be read at HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest :
Washington Office - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is now law, includes $920 million for projects that benefit the national parks. The Service is working closely with the Department to meet the law's deadlines and objectives.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7366" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7366
Second Century Commission - The National Parks Second Century Commission is reaching out to the American public to invite input on the future of the national parks through a series of public meetings and a new website.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7368" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7368
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service. Details are provided on NPS funding contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7367" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7367
Gettysburg NMP - Park guide Gregory Coco, 62, of Gettysburg, died on Wednesday, February 11th. He was the author of 16 books on topics related to the American Civil War and Battle of Gettysburg - one of them ranked twelfth among the top 50 Civil War books ever written.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2248" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2248
Fire and Aviation Management - William “Bill” Kaage has been named the Service's national fire management officer. In this position, he will serve as the chief of the Branch of Wildland Fire within the Division of Fire and Aviation Management. Bill will take on his new responsibilities in mid-April.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2249" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2249
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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