NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, April 19, 2010
INCIDENTS
Gates of the Arctic NP/Yukon-Charley Rivers NP
Three Poaching Cases Brought To Successful Conclusion
Two cases from the 2009 field season and one case from the 2007 field season were successfully resolved early this year:
The poaching case from 2007 was the result of a joint hunting patrol/training mission between rangers and United States Air Force pararescue jumpers (PJs). Rangers and a PJ responded to the sound of gunshots in Gates of the Arctic and began an investigation into the possible illegal taking of wildlife. The investigation revealed that the poacher had illegally killed a full-curl Dall sheep in the park. He was fined $2,525 under the terms of a plea agreement.
In 2009, rangers on a hunting patrol observed a moose that was being moved along the John River just outside the boundary of Gates of the Arctic. Rangers determined that the moose had been killed several miles inside the park boundary. The poacher was fined and paid a total of $3,050 for illegal taking of wildlife and failure to salvage.
Also in 2009, rangers on hunting patrol on the Yukon River began an investigation and stakeout to investigate a report that an undersized, less-than-full-curl Dall sheep had been taken in Yukon-Charley Rivers NP, where hunting is legal. Rangers staked out a section of the Yukon River within the preserve for several days to make the case. The investigation revealed that the sheep was harvested in the preserve and the poacher was fined and paid $2,025 for illegal taking of wildlife.
[Gary Youngblood, Chief Ranger]
Big Thicket NP
Arson Wildfire Suppressed In Park
Rangers and fire management staff responded to a wildland fire that had been spotted and reported by a Texas Forest Service detection aircraft early on the afternoon of April 14th. The fire was burning in the preserve's Neches Bottom and Jack Gore Baygall Unit and on adjacent private land. Three separate fires were discovered at the scene, along with a vandalized and burned boat and a vandalized bear resistant trash can. The fires were contained by late afternoon; the total combined size for the fires was 2.1 acres. Texas Forest Service and local fire departments have responded to numerous arson fires in the area in the last three weeks, with Big Thicket staff assisting them on a 1700-acre arson fire near the preserve approximately two weeks ago. Information relating to this incident has been received from neighbors in the area and is being investigated by rangers. No suspects have been identified at this time. [Mark Peapenburg, Chief Ranger]
Great Smoky Mountains NP
Passenger Killed In Single-Vehicle Accident
A single-vehicle accident around 1:30 a.m. on the Gatlingburg Pigeon Forge Spur last Thursday killed the passenger and sent the driver to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with a number of injuries. The victim, I.C., 26, of Kodak, Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred on the northbound spur just north of the Kings Branch interchange. The road was closed for two hours while rangers conducted an investigation and cleared the scene. Evidence indicated that the 2004 Ford Explorer hit a rock wall on the west side of the road, causing I.C. to be thrown out of the vehicle by its impact. The vehicle then spun out of control and came to rest in the roadway. Rangers are continuing the investigation, which may result in charges against the driver, whose identity is still to be confirmed. The driver was treated and released from the hospital and taken into custody by rangers. [Nancy Gray, Public Affairs Officer]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
The White House - President Obama signed a presidential memorandum launching the America's Great Outdoors Initiative at a White House conference last Friday. The National Park Service was an active participant, with Director Jarvis moderating one of the afternoon breakout sessions.
The White House - President Obama has proclaimed today - Monday, April 19th - as a National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. Flags have been ordered to half-staff for the day.
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
Golden Gate NRA - The conservation community and the National Park Service are remembering and celebrating one of their greatest advocates this week - Dr. Edgar Wayburn, who died last month at the age of 103. 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
* * * *
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).
--- ### ---