NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, November 2, 2009
INCIDENTS
Glen Canyon NRA
Nevada Man Found Guilty In Quagga Mussel Case
In the first trial involving the park's mussel prevention regulations, a federal judge has ordered a Nevada man to pay a $2,500 fine for failing to have his boat inspected for mussels before launching it on Lake Powell. On Monday, October 19th, Nevada resident J.W. was found guilty of violating regulations requiring mandatory inspections for “at risk” boats entering Lake Powell. J.W. visited Glen Canyon on August 17th and was informed by park staff that he was required to have his boat inspected for zebra and quagga mussels before launching on Lake Powell. J.W. instead proceeded to Lone Rock Beach, where he launched in violation of Glen Canyon regulations. Park rangers contacted J.W. on Lone Rock Beach and issued him a mandatory citation to appear in court for violating mussel prevention regulations. J.W. elected to go to trial, and was found guilty of violating Glen Canyon's quagga mussel regulations. NPS staff testified in court in support of the prosecution. “We appreciate Judge Braithwaite's support for our mussel prevention efforts at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,” said Superintendent Stan Austin. “Our success in keeping Lake Powell mussel-free will only continue with the cooperation and support of all of our partners and visitors.” Zebra and quagga mussels are aquatic invasive species that can lead to severe economic and environmental consequences for lakes and other waterways. A number of water bodies in the region are known to be infested with quagga mussels. Glen Canyon NRA has had an active mussel prevention program in place since 2000 for Lake Powell. All evidence to date indicates Lake Powell is zebra and quagga mussel free. [Max King, Public Affairs Officer]
Hot Springs NP
Four Men Sentenced In Robbery Of Park Visitor
On the evening of February 6th, ranger James Latendresse received a report of an assault involving five young men who'd beaten and robbed a visitor who was walking on the park's Grand Promenade. Latendresse's prompt investigation led to the discovery that Hot Springs PD detectives were working on a similar robbery in the city, with suspects who matched those involved in the park incident. Latendresse and NPS special agent Robert Still found and interviewed all five men, some of them housed at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Center located immediately adjacent to the park. During interviews, all five admitted their involvement in the robbery, which they had planned ahead of time. On October 13th, four of the men pled guilty in court, with each sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $600 fine and ordered to pay $81 in restitution. The fifth man remains at large, with an active warrant out against him. One of the members of the group was subsequently jailed for an armed carjacking in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The sentencing marked the culmination of months of work by Latendresse, Still and other Hot Springs rangers. [Dennis Stock, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Fire and Aviation Management - Nominations for the annual Smokey Bear Awards are due January 15th. Details and links to the nomination form are provided.
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
Delaware Water Gap NRA - Karl Merchant, contracting officer at Delaware Water Gap NRA, has announced his retirement after 32 years of NPS service.
Badlands NP - Dr. Paige Baker will retire from the National Park Service on December 31st. Photo.
To see these and other stories posted on InsideNPS (or NPS Digest, its public version), click on one or the other of the following links (please note that not all stories in the former appear in the latter): NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index ; non-NPS employees: HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/
* * * * *
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).
--- ### ---