NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, May 18, 2009

INCIDENTS

Grand Canyon NP

Bodies Of Two Missing Men Recovered From Colorado River

The bodies of two young men - likely those of 16-year-old S.S. and 22-year-old J.M., who disappeared while trying to swim across the Colorado on April 30th - were found in the river last Thursday. The first was found between Crystal Rapid and Camp Beach and secured by a private boating party; the second was recovered at Agate Rapid by Hatch River Expeditions, a commercial river operator. Both groups notified park dispatch via satellite phone. Rangers flew to their respective locations to retrieve the bodies. Following field investigations, they were taken to the medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. S.S., J.M. and 16-year-old M.M. were with a group that was on a day hike from the South Rim to Phanton Ranch on April 30th when they decided to swim the cold and fast-moving waters of the Colorado. M.M.'s body was found on May 1st. The National Park Service appreciates the efforts of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the commercial and private boating community, Grand Canyon hikers, and volunteers who provided assistance with search efforts. They would also like to thank Xanterra South Rim, LLC, Delaware North Park Services (Canyon Village Market Place), and local clergy for their support to the families of these three young men. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:

NPS Centennial - The sixth in the George Wright Society's series of essays on the National Park Service's centennial is now out - an article by Dayton Duncan, co-producer of the upcoming Ken Burns documentary series on the National Park Service, on George Wright and his impact on the evolution of the national parks and the protection of species found therein.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7703" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7703

Office of Communications - Many employees have questions about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and how the National Park Service is implementing its provisions. A site has been created on InsideNPS (look for the link under “Hot Topics”) to help you find the answers.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7705" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7705

Midwest Region - The National Park Service's Fire Management Leadership Board is recruiting for an associate director, operations, or a park superintendent to serve as a board member on the FMLB.

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=7690" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=7690

Department of the Interior - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has appointed former National Park Service Director Robert G. Stanton as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management, and Budget.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2350" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2350

Paterson Great Falls NHP - Bill Bolger has been named the project manager for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. In early 2009, Congress passed legislation designating the site as part of the National Park System, once certain conditions are met. Bolger assumes his new duties on June 1st.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2351" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2351

* * * * *

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).

--- ### ---