NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, April 15, 2010
INCIDENTS
Big South Fork NRRA
Two Rescued From Dangerous River Rapid
On April 9th, a visitor called 911 and reported a canoe pinned above Angel Falls Rapid (Class IV) with two boaters clinging to the rock at the head of the rapid. Multiple drownings and boating accidents have occurred at this rapid (which has severely undercut rocks) in recent history. Rangers, Scott County Rescue Squad members, and river guides from Sheltowee Trace Outfitters all responded and participated in the rescue. Once safety measures were put into place, a modified Telfer lowering system was employed and a raft with a rescuer was lowered to the victims. After being on the rock for nearly three hours, the two men were able to jump into the raft, which was pulled to safety. Ranger Jimmy Barna was IC. [Jimmy Barna, Field Training Ranger]
Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Two Charged On Felony Counts In Marijuana Cultivation Case
On April 8th, a grand jury in Honolulu indicted A.V., 23, and M.W., 20, on three felony charges stemming from a marijuana cultivation case within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued, and on April 11th both were arrested in Hilo by NPS rangers and special agents. The two Pahoa men will be arraigned in United States District Court in Honolulu, charged with conspiring to cultivate/distribute marijuana, possessing/cultivating marijuana, and intent to distribute marijuana. The case stems from an incident in December, 2009, when rangers apprehended the two as they attempted to plant 47 marijuana plants in the forest along the Mauna Loa Road. The men were released, but an investigation into the incident continued and the case was later presented to the United States Attorney's Office, leading to their indictment and arrest. The Mauna Loa Road is frequently used by local residents and island visitors. The area where rangers apprehended A.V. and M.W. is designated by the park as a special ecological area and is managed to protect and restore Hawaii's native plants and animals. [Mardie Lane, Public Affairs Officer]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Alaska Region - On Tuesday, the National Park Service announced three actions to help protect bear and wolf populations and park values within NPS units in Interior Alaska.
Lowell NHP - Park visitors from eight states and three foreign countries recently submitted 466 photographs documenting Lowell National Historical Park and the City of Lowell in the park's inaugural photography contest. Photo.
Commercial Services - The NPS is accepting nominations for the 2010 Environmental Achievement Awards, offering the opportunity to recognize concessioners who have demonstrated substantial environmental accomplishments.
Director's Office - Deputy Director Dan Wenk joined with Parks Victoria (Australia) Chief Executive Mark Stone on April 14th in the dedication of a memorial in Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, commemorating the late Brian O'Neill, past superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 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/
NPS serious incident submission standards can be found at the following web site: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/notify" http://inside.nps.gov/notify
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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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