Mount Rushmore |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2025. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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October 22, 1987 Location: Monument of Presidents At approximately 0845 this morning, the park discovered that 6 or 7 Greenpeace demonstrators had climbed overnight onto the face of the monument and were in the process of preparing to lower a banner with an undisclosed message on it. The news media had been tipped off and are now on scene awaiting the unfurling. The park has prepared a team of about 16 rangers, sheriffs and highway patrol officers to go up after the individuals; they have been cautioned to take no action which might endanger the demonstrators. No further information is currently available. RMRO will advise us as soon as they hear of developments. Follow-up Five people were arrested for illegally climbing the monument. They were prepared for this action and had an attorney on scene. The attached AP article summarizes the event. Executive News Svc. 10/23 0319 Rushmore-Greenpeace MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. (AP) -- Misdemeanor charges for illegally climbing Mount Rushmore were filed against five men who tried to hang a giant banner from the monument to protest acid rain. "It is a violation of federal law and we aren't going to be having people use Mount Rushmore as an advertising billboard up here for their own personal views," Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mandel said Thursday. The men were affiliated with the environmental group Greenpeace. The 160-foot by 50-foot white banner said "We the people say no to acid rain" in blue letters and the name Greenpeace in green letters. Authorities arrested the climbers before the two-section banner could be put in place on the granite carvings. The men appeared late Thursday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Richard Battey in Rapid City. Four were charged with illegally climbing Mount Rushmore; the fifth was charged with aiding and abetting in the illegal climbing of Mount Rushmore, said Mandel. The charges carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine. Mandel said it was too early to say if charges might be filed against others. "It's certainly not impossible, but I have yet to see a report on this, it's something we had to deal with on short order today so we dealt with those who were obviously involved," Mandel said. Battey set bond at #1,000 cash for each defendant. An arraignment is scheduled Nov. 19 before U.S. Magistrate Thomas Parker. "We're trying to get our message across," Eileen Price of Greenpeace said re the men were taken into custody. She identified them as Greenpeace climbers S.L., 32, and R.H., 22, both of Chicago, and K.H. of Toronto, Canada. Greenpeace volunteers P.T., 42, of Fort Washington, Md., helped the climbers from the top of Mount Rushmore, and M.R. of Berkeley, Calif., maintained two-way radio contact from the ground, she said. Mount Rushmore is in the Black Hills near Rapid City. Greenpeace chose Mount Rushmore because it's "highly visible" and a national symbol that represents all the people, Ms. Price said. Congressional bills to regulate industrial emissions that contribute to acid rain have been blocked consistently by auto and coal interests, she said. The four people who tried to unfurl the banner had camped atop Mount Rushmore since Tuesday night, Ms. Price said. The three climbers and their helper climbed undetected Tuesday night and set up camp, planning how to display the banner, she said. "We were completely surprised" by the action, Dan Wenk, Mount Rushmore superintendent, said in a telephone interview. Trained climbers hired by the Pennington County Sheriff's Department aided National Park Service workers in getting the climbers off the monument. Authorities found out about the climbers shortly after 7 a.m. and worked hard to make sure no one was injured, Wenk said. "They were going over the side of the faces about 7 a.m.," he said. "We sent a law enforcement ranger up the hill to talk with them." The park service officials then discovered it was Greenpeace but were not aware of the climbers' purpose for about an hour, according to Wenk. The men coordinating the climbers on top of the memorial and at the visitors after were nabbed, and one climber was arrested when he rappelled to a point where he could be reached from the ground, Wenk said. The other two could not be reached safely, he said, so a sheriff's department climber was sent to tell them they were under arrest and that authorities would remove the banner, Wenk said, "and they cooperated." One of the Greenpeace climbers returned to the top of the monument and the other rappelled to the ground, he said. The climbers started hanging half the banner about 10 a.m. A few minutes later, some of the banner's letters could be seen, but it was not unfolding clearly, so one of the climbers rappelled to the bottom of the banner. Shortly after 10:30, authorities started cutting the ropes that held the banner, and it fell to the rocks below the monument. Twelve people representing Greenpeace began arriving in South Dakota as early as last week, Ms. Price said. She called reporters Thursday morning as the climbers were trying to unfurl the banner, but others, including an NBC television news crew, had equipment set up early Thursday. She said some reporters and photographers found out about the demonstration. When asked if it was to have been kept secret, Ms. Price said, "Well, it was supposed to have been." Greenpeace is an international organization that uses non-violent direct action to try to protect the environment, she said. The group deals with marine mammals, disarmament and other issues. Greenpeace members were aware of the laws against climbing Mount Rushmore, Ms. Price said. The climbers were veterans of other Greenpeace actions, including climbing the Statue of Liberty to protest nuclear weapons testing, she said. Wenk said it's not unusual for people to try to climb the monument. "Most of the people who have tried to climb Mount Rushmore previously have not been climbing for a specific purpose," he said. "We'll be looking at our security for the memorial." When asked if there were security problems, Wenk said, "I'd say the answer's rather obvious."
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Black Hills' Sturgis Motorcycle Classic, and between 200,000 and 500,000 motorcyclists are expected to attend the event, which runs from August 6th to the 13th. On August 6th, 11,300 motorcycles with 16,000 riders showed up at Mount Rushmore, including representatives from the Hell's Angels, Sons of Silence, Bandits, Outlaws and Pagans. About a dozen small gangs were also present. Park staff and one SET team provided traffic and crowd control. Several motorcycle accidents occurred, two of them with injuries. There were numerous drug violations, a DOT arrest, and many incidents involving riders wearing knives. A bat and a cane sword were confiscated. No serious problems occurred, however. Rangers transmitted information to the South Dakota State Command Center, where warrants for serious violations were being formulated and executed. Several other area parks have also been peripherally involved in the event: (SEAdog report from RAD/RMRO, 8/7).
The following information was excerpted from reports which were submitted by J.J. McLaughlin (RAD/MWRO) and Jim Reilly (RAD/RMRO). Our policy is and will be to provide you with general information on Middle East-related activities in the parks, but to exclude any confidential details from reports received from the field. * Mount Rushmore has extended patrol coverage to 24 hours a day. Please advise us through your regional offices of all threats received, permits issued for demonstrations, and demonstrations or incidents that occur which are related to the war in the Gulf. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible; there is a high degree of interest in such activities in the Department and among other governmental agencies. Call Major Schamp at FTS 268-4209 (202-208-4209).
Just before 10:00 p.m. on the evening of July 25th, a van with eight people in it left the roadway of Highway 244 about a half mile east of the main parking lot at Mount Rushmore and crashed into a rock embankment about 125 feet off the road. Witnesses reported that they saw no brake lights or other signals as the van left the road. The driver, D.B., 66, of Rapid City, was dead at the scene, possibly of a heart attack or other medical problem. Seven other passengers were injured and transported to a regional hospital. M.B., 65, the victim's wife, and C.A., 47, of Polson, Montana, remain hospitalized in serious condition. Four other victims, aged from 11 to 36, remain hospitalized in fair condition, and a 21-year-old victim was treated and released. About ten rangers, ambulances from three municipalities, state troopers, county deputies and local SAR units all responded to the accident. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/29]
Attorney general Janet Reno visited the park on July 18th and made a fifteen-minute speech to about 500 members of the National District Attorneys' Association and the general public in the park's amphitheater. She then joined members of the association for a reception, also in the park. Rangers worked with FBI agents to coordinate the visit and to ensure security. No significant events occurred during her visit. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/28]
The influx of bikers coming into the area to attend the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (formerly known as the Black Hills Motorcycle Classic) had a significant impact on traffic and operations in the park last week. The approximately 29,000 bikers who visited the park between Sunday, August 8th, and the following Friday pushed the average daily visitation to 26,000. Members of 16 different outlaw gangs wearing "colors" were identified. Rangers were extremely busy with traffic control, crowd control and visitor assists, but there were no serious rally-associated incidents. Official estimates are that at least 150,000 bikers attended the rally, which is held about 50 miles northeast of the park. The event officially ended on August 15th. Other nearby national park areas affected by the rally included Badlands, Devils Tower, Jewel Cave and Wind Cave. [Mike Pflaum, MORU, 8/13]
On November 2nd, Reel Films Productions completed the last of three non- consecutive days of filming "Lakota Woman" in the park. The made-for- television movie, which is tentatively scheduled to air on TNT in September, 1994, is based upon a book of the same name by Mary Crow Dog and portrays the events leading up to and during the violent confrontation at Wounded Knee in 1973. The short segments filmed in the park portray the occupation of Mount Rushmore by Native Americans and their subsequent arrest and removal from the mountain, including depiction of rough handling of the prisoners by park rangers, state police and other agency personnel. The actors portraying park rangers were uniformed in a facsimile of a Forest Service uniform. As many as 150 contractors and cast and crew members were involved in the filming at peak times. Six rangers monitored the filming and associated activities and impacts. No significant resource damages occurred. The production company reimbursed the Service for expenses incurred. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 11/3]
On the afternoon of May 3rd, former Prime Minister of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher made a scheduled visit to the park. She was greeted by the superintendent, provided with a tour of the historic Sculptor's Studio, and viewed a short video about the park. After her tour, she made a photo appearance and provided a few comments to about ten members of the press. She then left to make a public speech in Rapid City that evening. Her visit to the park was a major media story in the state. Rangers worked closely with representatives from Scotland Yard, the Rapid City police department and the Pennington County sheriff's office on logistics and security. The visit went smoothly. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 5/4]
On the evening of July 9th, a visitor reported that a man was shooting a handgun in the park about a mile west of the main parking lot. Rangers subsequently located and contacted 33-year-old M.B. and his companion, 30-year-old S.L. M.B. initially denied possessing or shooting a weapon, but rangers found an AMT .380 handgun in his vest pocket while searching him. The weapon had a loaded magazine, but no round in the chamber; there was another loaded magazine in his vest pocket. M.B. finally admitted to shooting several rounds off into the forest from the roadside. Mushrooms that appeared to be of a hallucinogenic species were found in S.L.'s purse. Both were arrested and their motorcycle was confiscated. State charges are pending. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/14]
During the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which was held from August 8th to the 14th, over 39,300 bikers on about 27,200 motorcycles visited the park - an increase of about 25% from the same period last year. Members of 31 different outlaw motorcycle gangs were observed in the park during the period. Traffic was chaotic at peak times; although there were numerous minor incidents, no significant problems were observed. Officials estimate that about 175,000 people attended the event, which is held in the town of Sturgis, about 50 miles northeast of the park. Badlands, Devils Tower, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave also felt some rally impacts. [Mike Pflaum, MORU, 8/14]
Rangers were involved in a major interagency search for 12-year-old L.D. of Rapid City during the period from May 12th to the 16th. L.D. became separated from his school group on Harney Peak and was missing in the rugged wilderness area immediately adjacent to the park's boundary. Rangers covered many miles of difficult terrain while searching for him, and, on May 14th, located the boy's tracks in the snow. Seasonal ranger Brian McMahon found L.D. about two miles south of the park's boundary on May 16th. L.D. was alive and doing well, but had frostbitten feet and mild hypothermia. A local television news crew filmed his evacuation from the backcountry. During the five days L.D. was missing, about eight inches of wet snow and two inches of total precipitation fell on the area. Because of the extremely wet and cold weather, searchers had little hope of finding him alive. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 6/8]
A 70-year-old woman suffered a cardiac arrest in the parking lot at Mount Rushmore on June 16th. Bystanders, including a nurse and a doctor just out of medical school, immediately began effective CPR. Rangers were on scene within two minutes and continued treatment. The woman was semi-conscious within ten minutes and able to comply with simple verbal requests. She was taken to a Rapid City hospital for further treatment and evaluation. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 6/26]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which was held in the Black Hills last week, had a significant impact on both visitation and operations at Mount Rushmore and other area parks. As of last last Thursday, over 41,000 bikers had visited the park - all in addition to normal visitation. Traffic was highly congested, and there were numerous law enforcement, EMS and visitor service incidents. Members of more than 20 outlaw biker gangs have been seen in the park. Rally organizers estimated that as many as 200,000 bikers would be in the Black Hills during the week, making this the biggest biker rally in the nation. The rally officially began on August 6th and ended on August 13th. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
Music Television Network (MTV) Productions filmed an outdoor television concert at the park under a commercial filming permit on February 17th. The taped event featured a popular rock band known as "The Presidents of the United States." About 2,500 people came to view the taping, and a typical concert atmosphere prevailed. Rangers provided crowd control and responded to several minor incidents, including public intoxication and suspected marijuana use. MTV paid for all of the costs which the park incurred in managing the event and also made an unexpected additional donation to the NPS. The program aired on MTV on the February 19th President's Day holiday. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan made a public appearance and speech in the park's amphitheater under a special use permit on Wednesday, February 21st. About 600 people attended. Numerous national and local media representatives were also present. Rangers worked closely with the Secret Service and local enforcement agencies on logistics and security, and also handled several minor incidents associated with the event. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
Today marks the official beginning of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and traffic through the park was heavy over the weekend. The event, which runs trhough Sunday, August 11th, traditionally has a significant impact on all five parks in the Black Hills area. Updates to follow. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially ended on August 11th. The park again sustained significant impacts from traffic and incidents associated with the event. About 44,000 bikers visited the park during the rally period, with over 900 motorcycles per hour passing through the entrance during peak periods. Mount Rushmore rangers, assisted by five rangers from other areas, responded to six motorcycle accidents with injuries, made drug cases against ten individuals, and issued two open container violation notices. They also handled numerous other law enforcement, medical and visitor service incidents. Members of at least 47 different outlaw motorcycle gangs wearing "colors" were observed, including Hells Angels, Bandidos and Sons of Silence. Rally events in the park were covered by about ten different media groups. Governor Bill Janklow and senator Larry Pressler visited as part of the "Governor's Tour" motorcycle ride. The rally also impacted operations in all of the other Black Hills area NPS units. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
On September 10th, rangers arrested a park concession employee on a felony larceny charge. Rangers had begun an investigation several days earlier when the general manager of the concession reported that there had been a series of shortages from specific cash registers over a period of a month or more. Rangers quickly established a primary suspect; after two days of surveillance with the assistance of rangers from other parks, they caught him in the act of taking money and arrested him immediately. The employee had $232 in cash when arrested, money which he admitted was stolen. A warrant search of his dormitory room led to the recovery of an additional $4,000 in cash which he'd hidden away. He will be arraigned before a grand jury tomorrow. The investigation is continuing. Rangers Andy Fisher and Tim Phillips developed the case with assistance from others. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
Construction workers notified rangers of a car over a steep embankment off Highway 244 near the park's main parking lot around 11 a.m. on March 20th. Rangers Andy Fisher and Steve Kveene located the vehicle about 100 vertical feet below and 300 feet off the roadway. The 38-year-old female South Dakota resident had been thrown from the vehicle and killed. The woman had left a suicide note at her home and the coroner has ruled the death a suicide. It appears that she drove off the roadway at a high rate of speed, as the car was airborne for about 60 feet before first impact. The incident was unwitnessed, so the exact time of occurrence is unknown. Indications are, however, that the woman died several hours before the rangers found her. It was difficult to see the vehicle from the roadway, so it may have been there overnight or longer. Rangers are assisting county and state officers with the investigation. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 3/24]
On September 10, 1996, rangers arrested W.N., a park concession employee, for felony larceny from the concessioner. W.N. pled guilty to the charge this January. On April 14th, he was sentenced to two years' probation, fined $1,000, and ordered to pay $5,248 in restitution to the concessioner. W.N. must also pay court costs and $100 to a victim's assistance fund. Rangers Andy Fisher and Tim Phillips, assisted by rangers Denny Ziemann (WICA) and Steve Spanyer (BIBE), investigated the case and made the arrest. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 4/21]
On July 15th, the park's new 2,000-seat amphitheater was dedicated at a ceremony sponsored by The Freedom Foundation, a Virginia-based foundation which contributed $1 million toward construction of the facility. The featured speaker at the event was former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney. The amphitheater, which has been in use for evening programs and special events since late May, also has overflow space for hundreds more, making it one of the largest such facilities in the NPS. There were no significant incidents during the event. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/17]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held about 50 miles northeast of the park in the town of Sturgis between August 4th and 10th. Rally officials estimate that over 200,000 bikers from throughout the world attended this year's events. Traffic and incidents associated with the rally impacted a number of national parks in the Black Hills region. Over 45,000 bikers visited Mount Rushmore during the rally period, causing very heavy traffic in the park. Rangers responded to numerous rally-related incidents, including alcohol violations, public nudity, public urination, weapons, traffic violations, and drug busts. Nine of the latter occurred - seven for marijuana, one for cocaine, and one for methamphetamines. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/10]
A 51-year-old Rapid City man suffered a serious heart attack while high up on Mount Rushmore on April 29th. The man, who was on an NPS-led tour as part of a pre-bid meeting for prospective contractors looking at a security job, became ill suddenly after completing a strenuous hike to a canyon just behind the sculpted faces over 400 feet above the base of the mountain. Rangers responded to a radio call for assistance and provided immediate treatment. The Pennington County search and rescue team and local ambulance services were called out to assist in the rescue, which involved over 20 people and took about two-and-a-half hours due to the extremely steep and rocky terrain. During the rescue, NPS and county SAR personnel employed techniques that were learned by one member of each agency at the recent servicewide technical rescue training conducted at Canyonlands NP and worked very well together. The victim was transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital, where he underwent open chest surgery and was admitted to intensive care in critical condition. By May 4th, his condition had been upgraded, and it now appears that he will survive. Ranger Andy Fisher lead the eight-person NPS team, which was comprised of staff from the ranger, interpretation, and maintenance divisions. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 5/4]
Although many of the reports that appear today occurred over the Fourth of July weekend, the following were specifically related to the holiday: o Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - The largest fireworks event in the state's history was held in the park on July 5th. Over 1,200 rockets were fired during the 15-minute program, which was watched by an estimated 20,000 people in the park and many thousands more from areas just outside the boundary. According to local law enforcement officials, the traffic associated with the event was perhaps the heaviest ever in western South Dakota and was backed up for over five miles at times. Over 130 people from six NPS areas and a variety of cooperating agencies worked the event. Rangers responded to numerous minor incidents, but there were no serious injuries or significant law enforcement incidents. The program had originally been scheduled for midnight on July 3rd, but had been postponed due to fog obscuring the mountain. Over 20,000 people were on hand for up to five hours awaiting the fireworks that evening. It took several hours for traffic to clear out of the park each evening. This event brought more visitors to the park at one time than any other event in its history. Notes on other significant Fourth of July activities would be appreciated. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCRO, 7/6; Scott Pfeninger, CR, STLI, 7/6; Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/6; Phil Sheridan, PIO, INDE, 7/7; Michael Shaver, SAHI, 7/4]
A two-vehicle accident on Highway 16A in the park just after noon on August 3rd resulted in the death of a young girl and minor injuries to three other visitors. The driver of a Ford Escort sedan lost control on a rain-slickened road and crossed into the lane of oncoming traffic, colliding with a large Ford pickup truck. Nobody in the truck was hurt, but all four of the occupants of the car were injured. N.M., 14, of Larchwood, Iowa, who was the front seat passenger, sustained a serious head injury. She was alive but unconscious when rangers arrived within a few minutes of the accident, but went into cardiac arrest after being extricated from the car and placed in a waiting ambulance. Ranger Cindy Basham performed CPR along with ambulance personnel during the 20-mile ride to Rapid City. N.M. was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other injured occupants of the Escort were also taken to the hospital for treatment. Rangers were assisted at the scene by county deputies, state officers, and local ambulance and fire units. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/4]
Seasonal maintenance employee M.B., 40, was killed in an accident on August 20th while on his way to work in the park from his home in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He was traveling alone in his own vehicle when it collided nearly head-on with a vehicle from Minnesota. All four of the occupants of the second vehicle were injured, two critically. M.B. had worked at Mount Rushmore since May. He was an outstanding worker who was very well liked by his fellow employees. M.B. is survived by his wife, P.B., and one-year-old daughter, Cassandra. The funeral was held on Monday morning in Hot Springs. A memorial fund has been established for his daughter in care of Community First State Bank, 702 Jennings Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/24]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which ran from August 3rd to the 9th, caused significant traffic and impacts to operations at Mount Rushmore and other nearby parks. Rally officials estimate that there were between 300,000 and 400,000 people at this year's event, which is held in Sturgis, South Dakota, about 50 miles northeast of the park. An estimated 52,800 bikers visited Mount Rushmore during the period along with other visitors. Rangers responded to eight, rally-related motor vehicle accidents that produced a dozen injuries, made arrests or issued citations to ten people for drug violations, responded to 14 EMS calls, and dealt with a variety of other incidents during the rally. Rangers counted about 200 members from at least 27 different outlaw motorcycle gangs wearing colors in the park. Mount Rushmore rangers were assisted by rangers from Wind Cave NP, Badlands NP, and Theodore Roosevelt NP. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/18]
The television show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" was broadcast live from the park's amphitheater at 7 a.m. on September 14th. A second show was taped shortly thereafter for airing the following day. The governor of South Dakota was instrumental in bringing the show to the park and attended both programs. A major segment concerned efforts to preserve and protect the sculpture. About 3,000 people attended each of the programs. Crowds began lining up for the event at 1 a.m. and there were nearly 3,000 people in line by 5:45 a.m. Another group of over 2,000 people lined up for the second show. Rangers handled heavy traffic, crowd control, and security, and responded to two serious medical emergencies requiring advanced life support during the filming. Rangers from Wind Cave, Badlands, Devils Tower and Jewel Cave assisted park staff in managing the event. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 9/15]
Former South African president F.W. DeKlerk visited the park on October 15th and toured the new visitor center/museum and Presidential trail along with the superintendent. Rangers worked with Rapid City police to provide security and logistics management. There were no incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 10/16]
Two more parks have reported Fourth of July events or incidents: o Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - There was a major fireworks show at the park on July 3rd. The 22-minute-long display included approximately 2,200 shells, making it the largest such display ever held in South Dakota. About 20,000 people attended the event and the preceding musical entertainment and appearance by Miss America Nicole Johnson. Many thousands more people watched from outside the park's boundary. Over 100 NPS employees from about ten parks and personnel from at least eight local, state and other federal agencies assisted with management of the event. Although there were numerous minor incidents and a small fire in a pile of lumber after the fireworks (which was quickly controlled), there were no serious law enforcement or emergency incidents. The costs of the fireworks and the management of the event were paid for by private donations. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/12; CRO, JEFF, 7/12]
President Clinton and a large entourage made a short notice visit to the park on the evening of July 6th. The president was in the area to make a major speech at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on July 7th. The park had been aware for more than a month that a presidential visit was possible, but was formally notified only 75 minutes before his arrival. Included in the president's party were South Dakota senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson, South Dakota congressman John Thune, several senators and congressman from other states, two cabinet secretaries, reverend Jesse Jackson, and other dignitaries. President Clinton arrived just after 9 p.m., toured the new museum, then watched the evening lighting of the Mount Rushmore sculpture. Approximately 3,000 people were in the park for the evening program and pressed into quickly established rope lines in order to see the president. After talking with numerous visitors, the president met briefly with NPS officials and the state congressional delegation and talked about the need for more funding for the protection and management of national parks. He talked about how people of ordinary means can have the same great experiences as millionaires at Mount Rushmore and other national parks and said that we need to do all we can to provide those opportunities. He departed the park after about an hour. There were no serious incidents during the visit. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/12]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held from August 9th to the 15th, bringing the usual heavy traffic, large crowds and numerous incidents to area parks - Mount Rushmore, Badlands NP, Devils Tower NM, Wind Cave NP, and Jewel Cave NM. Rally officials estimate that over 350,000 people attended this year's event. Approximately 80,000 bikers came to Mount Rushmore during the event; rally-related incidents at the park included four drug busts, two DUI arrests, three motorcycle accidents, public nudity, visits by outlaw gang members, and numerous minor incidents. There's already considerable hype about next year's rally, which will be both the 60th anniversary of the event and the first of the new millennium. Rally officials are predicting that over a half million people will attend. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/16]
According to a wire service report, 46-year-old L.D. of Aurora, Colorado, is in federal custody for allegedly threatening to blow up Mount Rushmore and kill people in Denver. The threats were first made on August 12th. Mount Rushmore rangers became aware of the threats shortly thereafter. L.D. evidently made more recent threats, which led to his arrest. Rangers are working with FBI agents to obtain additional information on the case. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 11/14]
Nebraska state police and Pennington County (SD) officers reported a possible bomb threat to Mount Rushmore on December 31st. The attack was reportedly going to occur on New Year's Day. The information came from a psychiatrist who was treating a man who said he knew of someone who was going to blow up Mount Rushmore. The man had also threatened to bomb a community named Keystone, which is near the park. Appropriate security measures were taken. No incident occurred. [MWRO, 12/31]
A powerful winter storm struck the Black Hills region on April 18th and 19th, dropping about 30 inches of very wet and heavy snow on the park. Power has been out in the park since the early morning hours of April 19th; emergency generators are being employed. Thousands of trees are down or broken off within the park. Visitor facilities were closed for three days, but are now open again and operating with generator power. The very popular annual Easter sunrise service was cancelled on April 23rd. The primary focus of park operations for the past week has been the reopening of park facilities and recovery from the storm. Restoration of commercial power is expected by week's end. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORA, 4/26]
On May 4th, 55-year-old W.V.S. of the Netherlands sustained serious injuries when he was run over by an unoccupied 24-foot rental van which was pulling a flatbed trailer carrying a mid-size SUV. W.V.S. and his son had stopped the van along Highway 244 on a downhill grade and gotten out to take a photograph of Mount Rushmore. As they were doing so, the van's emergency brake failed and it began to roll. W.V.S. attempted to catch the runaway vehicle, but fell underneath it and was run over, sustaining a serious femur fracture to one leg and an open fracture/dislocation to the other leg. He was listed in serious condition at Rapid City Regional Hospital, but is expected to recover. After running over W.V.S., the unoccupied van and trailer continued for approximately 600 feet on a steep downhill grade and crossed three traffic lanes before stopping against a guardrail. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic at the time of the incident. Rangers Don Hart, Todd Van Alstyne, and Steve Kveene handled the incident with assistance from Pennington County deputies, Keystone Ambulance Service personnel, and a bystander medic. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 5/10]
Early on the afternoon of June 15th, rangers spotted a man illegally on the mountain near the top of the Hall of Records area. A search was mounted and he was found and arrested about an hour later just above the fence gates above Hall of Records canyon. During that time, the man climbed and scrambled over much of the mountain. It's not clear whether or not he was attempting to evade rangers, about ten of whom were involved in the effort to corral him. The 31-year-old man, who resides in Santa Clara, California, was not armed, and neither weapons nor any other illegal items were found in a consent search of his vehicle. He was taken to county jail to await an initial appearance before a federal magistrate. Video surveillance cameras proved very valuable in tracking his movements and in directing rangers to his location. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 6/16]
A major Independence Day celebration was held in the park from July 3rd to July 5th. Approximately 90,000 people visited the park over the three days, with an estimated 25,000 people on site for the July 3rd fireworks show - the largest crowd of visitors in the park's history (the governor attended the event and said that it might also have been one of the largest crowds of people ever at one location in the state). Another 20,000 or so people watched the fireworks from areas surrounding the park. Rangers handled numerous EMS, law enforcement and visitors service incidents over the three-day period, but there were no significant incidents. The fireworks started about 16 fires, four large enough to be named; the small ones were extinguished immediately and the fire crews on site for the event had the others contained by 6 a.m. the next morning. About 200 people from ten parks worked on the event. They were joined by many others from cooperating agencies. The event and all fire-related costs were covered by private donations. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/7]
A 15-year-old male employee of NPS concessioner AmFac Recreational Services was bitten by a bat in the concession dining room on August 2nd. The bat reportedly flew into the dining room late on the evening of August 1st and was seen there again on the 2nd. It fell to the floor that afternoon; when the employee picked it up to remove it, the bat bit him, then died. The body was sent to the state epidemiologist and tested positive for the rabies virus. The boy is now undergoing rabies treatment. The dining room was temporarily closed on August 5th, the day the park was notified of the findings, so that a search for additional bats could be conducted by a local bat expert. None was found. The dining room reopened on the morning of the 6th. This is the second incident of a person being bitten by a rabid bat in the Black Hills area this summer. The state epidemiologist has asked the park for assistance in informing the public about the hazards of handling bats or any other wildlife. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/7]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held in Sturgis, South Dakota, and the Black Hills area from August 7th through August 13th. This year's rally was promoted heavily as the 60th anniversary/millennium rally. Preliminary estimates by local officials are that over 500,000 people attended, making it the largest crowd in the history of the event. NPS units in the region - Mount Rushmore, Badlands, Devils Tower, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave - were all significantly impacted by rally-related traffic and visitors. The Midwest Region special events team was based at Mount Rushmore and provided support to Badlands, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore. An estimated 113,000 bikers visited Mount Rushmore during the rally period, a total 40 percent higher than the previous highest total in 1999. On Tuesday, August 8th, approximately 19,500 vehicles entered Mount Rushmore, the highest one day vehicle total in the history of the park. Motorcycle traffic was heavy from August 4th through August 13th. Mount Rushmore rangers and the Midwest SET managed the extremely heavy traffic, responded to approximately 14 motorcycle accidents, handled 15 illegal drug cases, and responded to numerous EMS assists, minor law enforcement incidents, and visitor assists. Rangers observed over 200 outlaw biker gang members or associates from over 30 different gangs wearing "colors". This event has developed into one of the nation's largest events, with bikers spread throughout the Black Hills region for up to ten days each year. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/12]
On August 1st, Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor made an official visit to the park to address the 300 or so people attending a meeting of the National Conference of State Supreme Court Justices. O'Connor attended the opening ceremonies in the amphitheater, gave the keynote address, then joined the group for lunch. She returned that evening for the sculpture lighting program. Rangers worked with federal marshals and state police on security and logistics for the event. There were no serious incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/10]
On July 3rd, a large fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day was held in the park. An estimated 25,000 people viewed the display from within the park and many thousands more watched from external vantage points. The fireworks display culminated an afternoon and evening of patriotic programs and entertainment. South Dakota governor Bill Janklow attended the event and made a public address just prior to the fireworks display. Seven small fires were started as a result of fireworks embers hitting the ground, the largest about 10 by 20 feet in size. All fires were controlled quickly. The park's sewage treatment plant was overwhelmed by the cumulative effects of several days of heavy visitation and all flush toilets and sinks were shut down during the event. Fortunately, a number of portable toilets were already on site for the event and more were brought in on short notice. Rangers and other staff were extremely busy managing traffic, parking, crowds, and minor incidents. There were no serious incidents. Approximately 180 people from eight parks and nine other agencies managed events within the park under ICS. Additional law enforcement personnel from a variety of agencies managed traffic and events outside of the park in coordination with the NPS. All costs of the fireworks display and associated management were paid for by private donations. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/9]
On July 28th, rangers responded to a vehicle rollover on Highway 244 within the park. The vehicle - a large passenger van - had settled on its side. Rangers saw that the driver's head had broken through the side window and was pinned between the vehicle and the ground. Another occupant had crawled through the van's shattered windshield prior to their arrival, and a third was trapped in the back of the van. Members of Keystone City VFD and Pennington County SAR helped rangers stabilize the van and remove parts of the door and roof. After an hour's intensive efforts, the driver and occupant were extricated from the van. All three victims were taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital. Their injuries were not known at the time of the report. According to the driver, who was conscious during the extrication, she had fallen asleep at the wheel as the van was traveling downhill and rounding a sharp curve. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is assisting with the investigation. [Lee Buschkowsky, Area Ranger, MORU, 7/29]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially ended on Sunday, August 12th, after a week of official events and about ten days of heavy motorcycle traffic that significantly impacted national park units in the Black Hills area. Preliminary estimates from rally officials are that about 300,000 to 400,000 people attended this year's event. Approximately 78,000 bikers visited Mount Rushmore during the period, about 30% fewer than during last year's blowout 60th anniversary rally. There were also fewer serious incidents related to the rally at Mount Rushmore this year than last year. Rangers responded to seven motorcycle accidents, handled about 20 emergency medical incidents, made a DUI arrest, investigated the theft of a $20,000 Harley Davidson motorcycle, and dealt with a number of other, less significant incidents. They also managed the heavy traffic and large crowds. Although there were some outlaw motorcycle gang members wearing "colors" in the park, there were fewer than in recent years. Mount Rushmore rangers were assisted by rangers from other area national parks in managing the traffic, crowds, and incidents. The word on the street is that the rally two years from now (2003) will be another blockbuster affair because of the association with the 100th anniversary of the resurgent Harley Davidson motorcycle company. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/13]
National Park Service personnel systemwide are responding in many ways to the terrorist attacks yesterday on Washington and New York. Here's a summary, as of 11 a.m. today: o Midwest Region - Mount Rushmore and the Arch at Jefferson National Expansion were closed yesterday. Plans are to reopen both later today. [Bob Martin, RCR, NER, 9/12; Einar Olsen, RCR, NCR, 9/12; Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 9/12; Dennis McGinnis, Type 1 team, SHEN, 9/12; Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO, 9/12]
o Mount Rushmore NP (SD) - The park was closed at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of September 11th in order to protect visitors, employees and resources. During the tense hours of the attacks and the aftermath, there was great concern that symbols of our nation could be potential targets. Additional law enforcement staff was brought on to increase patrols and security checks. No specific threats were received or observed and the park reopened with full programs and operations at 8 a.m. yesterday. The park received great support in protecting the park and its visitors from other NPS areas, the FBI, and state and local law enforcement agencies. [Lt. John Lauro, USPP, NYFO, 9/12; Gregory Smith, CR, MORR, 9/12; Norah Martinez, CR, CANA, 9/12; MORU, 9/12; Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO, 9/13; Betty Knight, ARO, 9/12]
On the afternoon of March 27th, rangers Brad Eggers and Eric Nelson came upon a vehicle parked on a lightly traveled gravel road to a trailhead near Horsethief Lake approximately one mile west of the park's boundary, a spot where rangers frequently turn around while patrolling the road. The vehicle was running, and a hose extended from the exhaust pipe into the passenger compartment. The rangers approached the vehicle and made contact with a 48-year-old man from Michigan who was conscious but slightly disoriented. When asked what he was doing, the man replied "I came here to die in peace." He further stated that he had long wanted to visit Mount Rushmore, which he had done just prior to his attempted suicide. The man was about a half-hour into his suicide attempt when the rangers intervened. He was cooperative as they removed him from the vehicle and provided oxygen and support until an ambulance arrived and took him to a regional hospital. The rangers' timely actions most likely saved the man's life. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORA, 4/3]
On the afternoon of April 26th, ranger Lee Buschkowsky stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 244 within the park. The NCIC check on the driver, S.T., came back with an active felony warrant against him for burglary in Kentucky. Buschkowsky confirmed that the warrant was active and that Kentucky would extradite. There were six other people in the vehicle, so Buschkowsky called for backup. Rangers Mark Davison and Todd Van Alstyne responded immediately. Buschkowsky and Davison drew their service handguns, and Van Alstyne took positions with a service AR-15 rifle. The rangers then took the driver out and to a safe location, where he was placed under arrest. No shots were fired and no one was injured. A county deputy took custody of S.T. for transport and extradition. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 4/30]
On May 28th, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak made a planned visit to the park. Barak was prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2000; prior to that, he lead elite Israeli anti-terrorism teams on several high profile operations in the 1970's. Barak and his entourage spent about an hour at the park and were provided with a tour by NPS staff. When offered the opportunity at a visitor center display to depress the plunger simulating a dynamite explosion used in sculpting the mountain, Barak said: "No thanks, I've seen too much of the real thing." Barak was in the area to make a speech in nearby Rapid City that evening, a speech in which he urged the United States to be persistent in the battle against terrorism. Rangers at Mount Rushmore worked with Israeli security and Rapid City Police Department personnel to handle logistics and security for the visit. There were no incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 5/29]
A number of significant events occurred in the parks on the Fourth of July and the days before and after: • Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Due to the extreme fire danger throughout the area, the annual and very popular fireworks show was canceled and replaced with a laser show. About 28,000 people visited the park on July 3rd and 18,000 on July 4th. Normal crowds are from 25,000 to 35,000 each day. The laser show on the night of the 3rd was not a great success, and the performance on the 4th was canceled due to technical difficulties. A media blitz was accordingly conducted throughout the 4th to apprise everyone of this fact. Twenty agencies worked together on the event. Only a few suspicious activities were reported, and there were only 19 medical responses. Additional reports are anticipated and will appear in future editions. [Phil Sheridan, PIO, INDE, 7/5; Larry Frederick, PIO, MORU, 7/5; Ralph Moore, Superintendent, PEVI, 7/5]
On the afternoon of August 7th, rangers responded to a report of a man with a bee sting and resulting anaphylactic shock in the concession parking lot. They found a 33-year-old man who had been stung approximately five minutes previously and was in anaphylactic shock. The man knew he was highly allergic to bee stings and usually carried an epinephrine injector, but did not have it in his possession. Rangers saw that his condition was deteriorating rapidly; after consulting with medical control, ranger Don Hart administered an epinephrine injection. The epinephrine reversed the shock condition within several minutes, potentially saving the man's life. This incident was the third time in the last two years that epinephrine injections by rangers at Mount Rushmore have reversed anaphylactic shock. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU]
On Monday, August 19th, S.H. from the Office of Surface Mining at the Department of Interior was struck by a National Park Service vehicle while crossing the street in the 1900 block of Virginia Avenue Northwest in Washington. S.H. died later that evening of her injuries. The accident is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. [Arnie Goldstein, Superintendent, NCP]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held from August 5th through August 11th. Significant impacts from the rally included extremely heavy traffic at Mount Rushmore and other nearby parks. Officials estimate that over 500,000 people attended this year's event. Approximately 94,000 bikers visited Mount Rushmore during the rally. On Tuesday, August 6th, the park set a new record high for daily visitation with approximately 41,825 total visitors. Traffic was backed up for about six miles from the park during a portion of that day. Rangers observed members from about 40 different outlaw motorcycle gangs wearing "colors" at Mount Rushmore. The concern on the part of area law enforcement agencies about the potential of gang violence did not materialize. Rangers responded to a high number of minor incidents and accidents and two accidents with serious injuries. The official dates for the rally in 2003 are August 4th through August 10th. It will be held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Harley Davidson motorcycles; heavy attendance is accordingly expected. [Mike Pflaum, CR/Acting Superintendent, MORU]
On August 15th, President George Bush visited the park and made a major public address on a number of topics, including homeland security, the budget and the drought. The president spoke on the Grand View Terrace at 10 a.m. for about 35 minutes. Prior to the president's address, Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, and South Dakota Congressman John Thune all spoke to the standing room only crowd of over 3,000 people. Also in attendance were South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson and Senator and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Following the speech, the president greeted visitors along the barrier line for about 20 minutes. Numerous national and local media covered the event. Visitors began lining up on the roadway at about 4 a.m., with some waiting up to four hours for access into the secure zone. Park staff worked very intensely with White House staff and the Secret Service for a week prior to the event. Mount Rushmore staff was supplemented by the Midwest Region special events team, the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, and the Rapid City Police Department in providing security and support for the visit. There were no serious incidents during the visit. A touching spontaneous moment occurred after the president's departure when the traveling "Ground Zero Flag" from the World Trade Center was brought out and about 45 law enforcement officers from the NPS, PCSO, and RCPD, along with Secretary Norton, unfolded it. Each officer touched a portion of the flag beneath the backdrop of Mount Rushmore, and all observed a moment of silence in honor of the police officers and firemen killed during the attack on the World Trade Center last September. [Mike Pflaum, CR/Acting Superintendent, MORU]
An event was held in the park on August 17th to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of work on the Mount Rushmore sculptures. The original ceremony was held on August 10, 1927, with President Calvin Coolidge delivering the address. This year's commemoration included a talk by Congressman John Thune, a keynote address by Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, and a dramatic portrayal of the 1927 ceremony. About 3,000 people attended the program. The park's staff was assisted by the Midwest Region special events team. There were no serious incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORA]
The park had two incidents involving illegal entry into closed areas on Mount Rushmore during the last days of August. Rangers saw three people above and behind the sculptures on the mountain and inside a closed area around 6:30 p.m. on August 22md. The rangers hiked up the mountain, found the three men - two age 19 and one age 20 - on the rock summit above the Hall of Records, and ordered them to halt and remain where they were. The men instead fled, leading to an hour-long chase through extremely rugged terrain. The men were eventually found along a roadway and arrested for illegal entry into a closed area and for fleeing the rangers. On the afternoon of August 31st, a report came in that someone had climbed high onto the mountain to a point immediately below the sculptures and far inside the closed area. Rangers Lee Buschkowsky and Curt Frain climbed the mountain and arrested the 24-year-old man. Much of the incident was recorded on the park's video surveillance system. The man's true identify and his status as a resident of the United States were still being investigated at the time of the report. INS has joined the investigation. A hearing date has been set for September 26th; the INS has asked that he be kept in custody until his residency status can be determined. [Submitted by Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
According to an Associated Press report that appeared on Saturday, a man named Shueyb Mossa Jokhan has been sentenced to federal prison for a terrorist bombing targeting Mount Rushmore. Park staff had been unaware of this threat and are working with the FBI to obtain additional details. An excerpt from the report, bylined from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, follows: "A Trinidadian immigrant received a federal prison sentence of about five years Friday for a terrorist bombing plot hatched in a mosque. Shueyb Mossa Jokhan suggested Mount Rushmore National Memorial as a target after he, a Pakistani Muslim, and FBI informants talked about bombing an armory, electrical substations and Jewish businesses. No attacks were launched and no weapons were obtained. The investigation began before last year's September 11 attacks." [Submitted by Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
On Saturday, January 18, about 50 people gathered in the park under
the terms of a permit for an anti-war demonstration - or, in the words
of the organizer, a "peace gathering." The demonstration was peaceful
and lasted about two hours. Local media covered the event. Rangers
monitored the assembly, but there were no significant incidents.
On the afternoon of Saturday, February 15, a group of about 100
people met in the park's amphitheater under terms of a permit for what
the organizers called a "peace gathering." The event consisted of a
series of speakers expressing their views in opposition to U.S.
involvement in a war with Iraq. Many of the participants held signs
stating their views. The event received local media coverage. There were
no serious incidents.
J.S., 60, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, died of an
apparent cardiac arrest on March 1st. J.S. was on duty during the
early afternoon, became ill, and went into the public restroom in the
restaurant. A visitor found him there a short while later, unconscious
and not breathing. Rangers administered CPR and made five attempts at
defibrillation with an AED, inducing a pulse for a short period of time.
J.S. never regained consciousness, though, and subsequently died. He'd
worked at the concession at Mount Rushmore for about three-and-a-half
years and was dining room supervisor. He was very well known to and
friends with many park employees, including some of those who attempted
to revive him. Joe would frequently greet and talk with park staff when
they ate at the dining room.
A number of special events will be taking place in the parks during the week of the Independence Day holiday, including some of the Service's "icon" parks. In order to manage these events and establish priorities for resources, Director Mainella has delegated authority to the national incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) to act as an area command in the management of these events and any other serious incidents that may occur during this time period (June 27th to July 7th). The area command will manage the coordination, mobilization and assignment of critical resources for scheduled events and for unplanned Type 1 or Type 2 incidents, excluding fire. This management of critical resources is being referred to as Operation July Fourth. For the purposes of this operation, critical resources are defined as the Service's incident management teams (IMT's), special event teams (SET's) and all other commissioned law enforcement personnel in the agency. Other resources, such as non-commissioned EMS or hazardous materials personnel, may be deemed "critical" if required by the national situation. Four regional Type 2 IMT's will be assigned to parks during the period, as well as five special event teams and other resources. The area command team will begin operations today, based out of Shenandoah National Park. Meanwhile, Type 2 teams are or will soon be in place at Mount Rushmore, Independence, Jefferson National Expansion and Dayton Aviation (a Wright Brothers centennial event). Reports from two of those teams follow:
Daily reports will be prepared and disseminated via the Morning
Report and InsideNPS from now through July 7th.
A number of special events will be taking place in the parks during the week of the Independence Day holiday, including some of the Service's "icon" parks. In order to manage these events and establish priorities for resources, Director Mainella has delegated authority to the national incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) to act as an area command in the management of these events and any other serious incidents that may occur during this time period (June 27th to July 7th). The area command will manage the coordination, mobilization and assignment of critical resources for scheduled events and for unplanned Type 1 or Type 2 incidents, excluding fire. Type 2 teams are in place at Mount Rushmore NM (Central Team, Sherrie Collins, IC), Independence NHP (East Team, Rick Brown, IC), and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Pacific West Team, Felicia Probert, IC). Elements of a Type 2 team (another East Team, Bob Panko, IC) have demobilized from Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP, where they provided assistance at the event noted below. Reports from those parks follow:
Daily updates on the operation will appear in the Morning Report and
InsideNPS through July 7th.
Preparations continue for several major Fourth of July events in the parks. In order to manage these events and establish priorities for resources, Director Mainella has delegated authority to the national incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) to act as an area command in the management of these events and any other serious incidents that may occur during the coming week. The area command is managing the coordination, mobilization and assignment of critical resources for scheduled events and for unplanned Type 1 or Type 2 incidents, excluding fire. Type 2 teams are in place at Mount Rushmore NM (Central Team, Sherrie Collins, IC), Independence NHP (East Team, Rick Brown, IC), and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Pacific West Team, Felicia Probert, IC). Reports from those parks follow:
Daily updates on the operation will appear in the Morning Report and InsideNPS through July 7th. [Submitted by Bill Halainen, IO, ACT; Al Nash, IO, Central IMT; Peter Givens, IO, Eastern IMT; Pat Grediagin, Plans, Pacific West IMT]
Preparations continue for several major Fourth of July events in the parks. Overseeing the events under a delegation of authority from the director is Skip Brooks' national incident management team. The team is managing the coordination, mobilization and assignment of critical resources for scheduled events and for unplanned Type 1 or Type 2 incidents, excluding fire. Type 2 teams are in place at Mount Rushmore NM (Central Team, Sherrie Collins, IC), Independence NHP (East Team, Rick Brown, IC), and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Pacific West Team, Felicia Probert, IC). Reports from those parks follow:
Daily updates on the operation will appear in the Morning Report and InsideNPS through July 7th. [Submitted by Bill Halainen, IO, Area Command Team; Shauna Dyas, IO, Pacific West IMT; Rick Jones, IO, Central IMT; Peter Givens, IO, Eastern IMT]
Preparations continue for several major Fourth of July events in the parks. Overseeing the events under a delegation of authority from the director is Skip Brooks' national incident management team. The team is managing the coordination, mobilization and assignment of critical resources for scheduled events and for unplanned Type 1 or Type 2 incidents, excluding fire. Type 2 teams are in place at Mount Rushmore NM (Central Team, Sherrie Collins, IC), Independence NHP (East Team, Rick Brown, IC), and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Pacific West Team, Felicia Probert, IC). Reports from those parks follow:
Daily updates on the operation will appear in the Morning Report and InsideNPS through July 7th. [Submitted by Bill Halainen, IO, Area Command Team; Shauna Dyas, IO, Pacific West IMT; Rick Jones, IO, Central IMT; Peter Givens, IO, Eastern IMT]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held from August 4th through
August 10th. The associated heavy traffic and visitation impacted
national park units throughout the Black Hills area. Heavy motorcycle
traffic was evident several days prior to the official beginning of the
event. Rally officials estimate that approximately 500,000 people
attended this year's event. Approximately 112,500 people entered Mount
Rushmore on motorcycles during the rally period, supplementing visitors
who arrived in other vehicles. This was the heaviest motorcycle traffic
at Mount Rushmore in the history of the event. Park staff responded to
14 motorcycle accidents and to numerous other incidents during the week.
Members of over 20 "outlaw" motorcycle gangs, identified through their
"colors," were seen in the park. The staff at Mount Rushmore was
assisted in managing traffic and events by the Midwest
Region special events team and by rangers from Indiana Dunes
NL and Wind Cave NP . While based at Mount Rushmore, the team also
provided assistance to Badlands NP and Devils Tower NM. The official
dates for next year's Rally are set for August 9th through the 15th.
The Fourth of July weekend was a busy, festive event at sites throughout the nation. The following reports have been received to date: Mount Rushmore NM — A magnificent patriotic fireworks display lit the skies over the park on July 3rd, ushering in Independence Day 2004. Just before the show started, a dramatic flyover by a B-1 bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base surprised the crowd with its blue afterburners kicking in right over the sculpture. An estimated 25,000 people viewed the fireworks from within the park. A total of 2,129 vehicles passed through security check points. Parking areas were filled to capacity by 11:30 a.m. and by evening the roads outside the park entrance were lined with cars for up to five miles in all directions. Many people parked at a distance and approached the park on foot. EMS responded to 25 minor medicals. One cardiac arrest fatality occurred outside the park after the fireworks. On July 4th, one choking incident occurred in which a concession employee was saved by ranger Mark Davidson, who performed the Heimlich maneuver. Heavy rain and lightening forced the cancellation of live musical performances in the late afternoon and evening. Only 17,000 people visited the park that day. Operations were supported by staff at a command post at the
Emergency Incident Coordination Center (EICC) located at Shenandoah NP
to manage any emergencies that might occur during the holiday on NPS
lands. The command post was staffed by an incident commander, deputy IC,
multi-regional coordinating group (MRCG) staff, and the EICC management
staff. The EICC provided real-time links to each of the parks during
their fireworks displays. All requested resources were mobilized and
available at the incidents at the requested times. There were no
significant incidents reported by the parks. All personnel were
demobilized by the end of the operational period.
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held from August 9th through
the 15th this year. Heavy motorcycle traffic affected Mount Rushmore and
other area national park units, particularly Badlands and Devils Tower
(click on "More Information" below for a previously report on the rally
from the latter area). Motorcycle traffic was heavy for several days in
advance of the official start of the rally this year — another
manifestation of the recent trend of more bikers arriving in the area
before the rally gets underway. The result was that the park had to
contend with ten days of heavy motorcycle traffic and attendant
incidents. Rally officials have estimated that more than 500,000 people
attended this year's event. During the rally period, approximately
115,198 people on 79,447 motorcycles entered the park. This number is in
addition to visitors who entered in other vehicles. Rangers responded to
a dozen motorcycle accidents within the park or adjacent areas. There
were five illegal drug cases and one DUI. Rangers observed over 100
members of approximately fifteen different outlaw motorcycle gangs
wearing colors in the park. Motorcycle traffic at Mount Rushmore
was just over two percent greater than last year, making it the busiest
rally period in history, but the number of law enforcement related
incidents was down. The official dates for next year's rally are
August 8 — 14,
2005.
On the afternoon of December 12th, rangers made contact with the occupants of a 1973 Dodge van that was parked illegally in a restricted parking area behind the Xanterra concession building. This contact eventually resulted in the arrest of three people from out of state and the transfer of two children to the custody of South Dakota Social Services personnel. A 34-year-old man, reportedly the father of the two children, was arrested on a felony warrant out of California and will be extradited. The man, who was 6'2" in height and weighed 305 pounds (as verified by a hospital scale), actively resisted arrest, was subdued through the use of a taser, and was subsequently charged with resisting arrest and interfering with agency function. He has an extensive prior criminal history. The man's 32-year-old brother was arrested for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; he also has a long criminal history and is the subject of a felony warrant from California. The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently discussing extradition with California authorities. A 32-year-old woman, the wife of the first man and the mother of the two children, was arrested on multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a loaded firearm (a Smith and Wesson .38 model 36), trespassing, and no proof of vehicle insurance. She, too, has a past criminal history. The two children are sisters, ages five and six. Following the arrests of all of the adults in the party, the children were transferred to the custody of Social Services. Field testing of the drugs and drug residue was positive for both marijuana and amphetamines. Discovered during the search of the vehicle were a handwritten recipe for the manufacture of methamphetamines, some of the ingredients for manufacturing methamphetamines, approximately 10 drug pipes, other drug paraphernalia, two apparently counterfeit five dollar bills, a variety of knives, a spiked ball and chain weapon, and a homemade, hooked, machete-like weapon. Initial court appearances for the three adults were set for yesterday. Rangers are working closely with the US Attorney's Office in the investigation and prosecution of the charges. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
Midwest Region and parks in South Dakota - Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave and Badlands - are gearing up for impacts from the 66th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which takes place this week in Sturgis, South Dakota. Concerns have already been raised about potential violence. On the afternoon of August 8th, a drive-by shooting occurred in Custer State Park, which is located within a few miles of both Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave. About a dozen members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club and their associates were in a parking lot at the Legion Lake Resort when two men in a pickup truck drove by and began firing a weapon. Five shooting victims and another victim with a separate injury were transported to area hospitals - three of them remain hospitalized. All victims were affiliated with the Outlaws. The two shooting suspects, one of whom was associated with the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, were apprehended without incident later that evening. During the rally, motorcyclists, including various motorcycle gangs, converge on the Black Hills of South Dakota and frequent area parks. In anticipation of potential violence, the Midwest Region special event team, a special agent, and other personnel were positioned in advance at Mount Rushmore and other NPS areas. They remain on high alert and will maintain high visibility to discourage further violence and to increase public safety at NPS sites for the remainder of rally week. [Jackie Henman, Regional Law Enforcement Specialist]
On Thursday, August 10th, between 80 and 100 members of the Outlaws, an outlaw motorcycle gang attending the nearby Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, purposefully committed a number of traffic violations while riding as a pack through the park. The manner in which the ride was conducted suggested an intent to display power, as it occurred only two days after five members of their gang were shot in nearby Custer State Park by two members of the rival Hells Angels (see last Friday's edition or click on "More Information" below). Park and Midwest Region special event team rangers identified the group's chase vehicle, separated it from the pack, then conducted a high-risk vehicle stop. The rangers demonstrated both tactical and force superiority and exercised situational control throughout the stop. The vehicle was occupied by four members of the Outlaws. They were identified and interviewed and the driver was cited. They were told to pass along to their leadership that national parks are owned by the public - not motorcycle gangs - and that disrespect, such as violating traffic laws, would not be tolerated. Later that same evening, another group of approximately 30 Outlaws passed through the park. They obeyed all traffic laws. [Hugh Dougher, Chief Ranger, Midwest Region; Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger, Mount Rushmore NM]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally officially ran from August 7th through August 13th, with heavy motorcycle traffic beginning several days in advance of the official start date. This year's rally was marked by the extensive advance intelligence received indicating that there would be a large outlaw motorcycle gang presence with the potential for violence, both of which proved to be the case. As noted in a previous edition, there was a gang-related shooting at Legion Lake in Custer State Park just south of the park on August 8th that resulted in the injury of six people associated with the Outlaws motorcycle gang and the arrest of two men associated with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang who are alleged to have done the shooting. Two rangers from Mount Rushmore were called to assist in the follow-up investigation at the scene of the shooting under terms of an existing cooperative agreement with Custer County Sheriff's Office. The shootings raised the tension level throughout the entire Black Hills area, as the threat of more violence was ever present. The Outlaws were camped en masse at a private campground approximately 10 miles south of Mount Rushmore and the park experienced several large organized rides by the gang, one resulting in a high-risk vehicle stop for a traffic violation that was documented in an earlier report. On August 11th, rangers participated in a large interagency law enforcement operation aimed at managing 100 or more members of the Outlaws who made rides through Mount Rushmore, then settled in for several hours in the small town of Keystone immediately adjacent to the park's northeast boundary. The NPS was represented at the interagency command center set up in Keystone along with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals, ATF, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service and others. A total of approximately 104 officers from these agencies, including 23 NPS rangers, were involved in the operation, and there were no serious incidents. On August 12th, rangers contacted a member of the Outlaws gang and associates who were engaged in commercial filming within the park without a permit. That contact included an in depth interview with the gang member and resulted in a warning and additional intelligence information. In addition to the high level of gang traffic and activity, rangers responded to three motor vehicle accidents, provided 15 medical assists, issued 57 violation notices, and made seven arrests. During the rally period, approximately 119,470 motorcyclists visited the park. This number is in addition to the visitors arriving by sedans, buses, and other vehicles. Park staff hosted and provided special tours for a number of VIP's during the period, including, among others, retired general Tommy Franks, director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs W. Patrick Ragsdale, BIA regional special agent in charge Elmer Four Dance, BLM deputy director Larry Benna, BLM regional special agent in charge Bart Fitzgerald, and the prince and princess of Italy. Rangers also had visits from a number of interagency law enforcement personnel from throughout the area and the nation. Mount Rushmore rangers managed operations and events related to the rally with great assistance from the Midwest Region SETT and Midwest Region Office personnel. All NPS personnel associated with the operation performed in an outstanding manner under very busy and stressful conditions. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
On October 19th, two members of an archaeological assessment team discovered human remains in a rugged drainage in an off-trail area seldom visited by the public. The body had evidently been there for a number of months and has not yet been positively identified. Rangers are investigating along with FBI agents and Pennington County officials. An autopsy will be conducted this week. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
On October 19th, 2006, rangers received a report of a body in a backcountry area of the park. The victim has now been positively identified as J.B.V., 51, of Yuma, Arizona. The preliminary report from the post mortem examination states that J.B.V. most likely died of natural causes several months ago. Rangers continue to work with the FBI and the Pennington County Sheriff's office to wrap up the investigation. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
Darrell Martin, the park's assistant chief of interpretation and American Indian liaison with the Lewis and Clark Trail National Historic Trail and Corps of Discovery II, died unexpectedly at his home early on the morning of Thursday, April 26th. Darrell was 41 years old. He began working for the National Park Service in November of 2004 with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. He moved to Mount Rushmore approximately two years ago, where he remained active with Lewis and Clark and with the park's interpretation program. Prior to working for the National Park Service, Darrell served as the chairman for the Gros Ventre Tribe of Montana. His wife, Z., and adult children survive him. He was full of life, full of energy, and touched everyone he met in a very positive way. Darrell was extremely proud to serve as a National Park Service ranger and to be part of the NPS family. Funeral services have been set for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2nd, at the St. Paul Mission in Hays, Montana. Burial will follow next to his father on his home ranch in Montana. Darrell will go to his rest in a National Park Service uniform. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4th, in the amphitheater at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Notes of support may be sent to Darrell's wife, Z.M. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which has a significant impact on the park, came to an end on Sunday. Over the course of the week ending on Friday, August 10th, approximately 96,000 motorcycles carrying about 140,000 people entered the park along with other visitors. Mount Rushmore rangers, with strong support from the Midwest Region special events team and Midwest Regional Office rangers, managed the heavy traffic and responded to a variety of incidents, including accidents with injuries and drug arrests. Two of the drug arrests resulted in multiple felony charges, with a total of five people currently in custody. Three of the individuals were arrested for possession of heroin, 137 various scheduled prescription medications, psylocybian mushrooms, marijuana, cookers, syringes, glass pipes, and other drug paraphernalia. This case was referred to the state's attorney. The three were indicted on multiple felony charges and placed on $50,000 bond each. The second felony drug case involved two people who were also indicted on state felony charges for possession of cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia and were placed on $20,000 bond each. Rangers and state and local officers also ran a sobriety checkpoint late one night that resulted in a DUI arrest and a drug violation. A number of outlaw motorcycle gang members were observed in the park, but in smaller numbers than the past several years. This motorcycle rally continues to be the largest annual event in the state of South Dakota and impacts a wide geographic area, including other national park system sites. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
A 20-year-old man illegally entered a closed area near the mountain sculpture on the morning of Tuesday, September 4th. The park's security system detected the intrusion and set off an alarm. Dispatchers watched the man on a surveillance camera as he took some photographs, then left the area. A ranger contacted him shortly thereafter while he was still inside the restricted area. When confronted, the man fled, resulting in a chase and search through rugged backcountry and along roadways for the next hour. The chase and search involved five rangers, a Pennington County deputy, and park maintenance personnel. Careful observations and investigative work quickly linked the man with an unattended pickup truck parked at Profile Viewpoint. Rangers staked out the truck and eventually contacted two 17-year-old men who'd been keeping in touch with the suspect via text messaging by cell phone and had come to drive the truck away. They eventually lead rangers to a small abandoned building just outside the park's north boundary where the man was hiding out. Rangers, accompanied by the deputy, arrested him without incident, charged him with six CFR violations, and took him to the Pennington County jail. As part of his plea agreement before the U.S. magistrate, he pled guilty to two violations — illegally hiking into the closed area and interfering with an agency function by violating a lawful order — and the four other charges were dropped. He was assessed fines totaling $1,000, plus court fees. His primary motive appears to have been obtaining unique photographs. The photographs that he took with a digital camera were seized and will not be returned. The safe and successful conclusion of this incident came about through great teamwork, the physical fitness of responding personnel, and outstanding observations and investigation in a short timeframe. [Submitted by Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger]
On July 16th, a park guest who had just descended from the monument's face slipped on lose pine needles and rocks and tumbled a short distance, breaking her leg in two places. Rangers, other park employees and members of the park's technical rope team responded. The woman was stabilized and taken down the mountain without incident. She was part of a group being lead by an employee that was descending down the mountain after visiting the top of the sculpture. After being successfully rescued from Mount Rushmore, she was transported by ambulance to the Rapid City Regional Hospital, where she was released pending surgery in Denver. [Submitted by Mark Gorman, Acting Chief Ranger]
This past Friday, August 29th, marked the 38th anniversary of the occupation of Mount Rushmore by members of the United Native Americans (UNA) to reclaim the Black Hills of South Dakota for the Lakota people. In remembrance and healing, the UNA obtained a First Amendment permit to honor the "historic event," to recognize women of the Red Power movement, and to provide an opportunity for younger tribal members to experience living history in the oral tradition from elders who were part of the original occupation. The permit was issued to Quanah Parker Brightman, the youngest son of Lehman Brightman, who organized the occupation in 1970. The four-hour event was held in the park amphitheater and was attended by approximately 30 tribal members. In addition to a number of speeches, including one made by Lehman Brightman himself, there were a number of special musical performances and ceremonies. Unfortunately, many of the honored speakers for the event, including Madonna Thunder Hawk and Clyde Bellecourt, were unable to attend. The entire event occurred peacefully, with little impact on park operations and normal visitor activities. [Mark Gorman, Acting Chief Ranger]
On September 9th, the park was advised that a climber had fallen while climbing behind Mount Rushmore in the South Seas area of the park. Rangers quickly found the injured man near a popular climbing route by Wrinkle Rock. The climber had made his way up a 60-foot face, then slipped and fell approximately 20 feet before his protection stopped his descent. During the fall, his foot got caught in a crack in the rock formation and was severely broken. Members of the injured climber's party were able to lower him to the ground and called for assistance. Rangers immediately began providing emergency medical care and preparing the climber for an overland carryout. ALS units from the Rapid City Fire Department arrived on scene and began administering pain medication. With support from Pennington County Search and Rescue, the climber was carried out to a waiting ambulance and taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital for treatment. The backcountry of Mount Rushmore has become internationally known for its world-class climbing areas, with massive granite spires and large rock faces. More than 6,000 climbers now visit the park annually, staying in the park for two to three days. [Mark Gorman, Acting Chief Ranger]
Visitor R.B. parked his 2008 Jeep along Highway 244 at the No Name parking area on October 5th. While taking photos of the monument with his wife and grandchild, R.B. noticed that smoke was emanating from the Jeep's front end. Before he could act, the engine compartment caught fire. Visitors notified park dispatch and a ranger arrived on scene within three minutes. By the time the Keystone volunteer fire department reached the Jeep, it was fully involved. Rangers and South Dakota Highway Patrol officers closed portions of the highway due to poor visibility and to provide security for firefighters. The fire was extinguished, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause is under investigation. There were no injuries. [Mark Gorman, Acting Chief Ranger]
The park was the site of a demonstration by Greenpeace on the morning of July 8th. Park staff and security detected the unauthorized trespassing on the sculpture early that day, and protection rangers responded within minutes with the assistance of area, state and federal agencies. During this time, several Greenpeace activists rappelled over the face of the Abraham Lincoln carving and unfurled a 65 foot by 35 foot banner to the right of Abraham Lincoln as seen from the rest of the park. There was never any danger to park visitors during the incident and park interpretation and education programs continued without disruption. Although all security measures functioned exactly as designed, it appears there was damage to government property to gain access to a controlled area. All activists were safely apprehended, removed from the mountain, and taken into custody. Twelve were turned over to federal authorities. [Nav Singh, Public Information Officer] HYPERLINK "http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5id8_Bg2Xtex2-xabDrM1HetgW2NgD99AM1L01"
A federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging eleven people and Greenpeace, Inc., a California corporation, with three or more misdemeanor offenses each relating to a July 8th incident in which a protest banner was unfurled on the mountain (click on the link below for the original report). The charges against Greenpeace and the eleven include one count of conspiracy to climb Mount Rushmore as prohibited by law. The indictment contains further specific allegations concerning the conspiracy charge which include the following: Greenpeace provided planning and training for the individual co-conspirators. Greenpeace caused the individual co-conspirators and their climbing, video, and photographic equipment to be transported to Rapid City, South Dakota, in preparation for climbing Mount Rushmore. Greenpeace hired a helicopter to carry its members, agents and employees in order to allow them to observe, photograph and record the actions of individuals who were climbing Mount Rushmore on July 8th As part of the conspiracy, certain individuals attempted to impede responding law enforcement officers by placing locks on security gates as well as by chaining themselves to areas where it would be difficult or impossible for responding officers to get around the individuals without risk of personal injury. Greenpeace, Inc., is also charged with the following offenses: Aiding and abetting eleven individuals trespassing in a national park by entering an area not open to the public without permission. Aiding and abetting nine individuals with climbing Mount Rushmore as prohibited by law. Aiding and abetting six individuals with intentionally interfering with a government employee or officer engaged in an official duty. Charges against the eleven participants included conspiracy, trespass, illegally climbing the mountain and abetting others in these offenses. The maximum penalty for each of the four counts against Greenpeace is a $10,000 fine and restitution. The maximum penalty for each count naming an individual is six months' imprisonment, a $5,000 fine and restitution. The investigation is being conducted by the Mount Rushmore rangers and by special agents of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Mark Vargo. [U.S. Attorney's Office]
On July 8, 2009, 11 people were arrested after gaining access to a closed area of the park and climbing to and on a closed area on the face of the memorial. Several of them hung a banner stating "America Honors Leaders Not Politicians Stop Global Warming Greenpeace" to the right side of Lincoln's face, while several others chained themselves together in areas which impeded the ranger's response to the top of the memorial. At the same time that the individuals were climbing and setting up the protest banner, live video was being streamed through the website HYPERLINK "http://www.greenpeace.org"www.greenpeace.org. This video was being recorded by an unknown person who had parked in the Mount Rushmore parking garage. During the live video stream, Kert Davies, research director for Greenpeace, was narrating the activities and making statements about global warming and its harm to the environment. Soon after the banner was cut down, the narration and live video stream ended. On July 21st, the eleven were indicted for trespassing in a national park, climbing Mount Rushmore as prohibited by law, interfering with a government official, and aiding and abetting others in those offenses. Greenpeace, Inc., was also charged with aiding and abetting eleven individuals trespassing in a national park by entering an area not open to the public without permission, aiding and abetting nine individuals with climbing Mount Rushmore as prohibited by law, and aiding and abetting six individuals with intentionally interfering with a government employee or officer engaged in an official duty. This was one of the first times that the corporation Greenpeace had been indicted for the actions of its activists. This month, Greenpeace agreed to a civil settlement of $30,000. Of that sum, $25,000 is to go to Mount Rushmore to promote conservation activities within the memorial. The remaining money is to go to the cooperating agencies that responded during the incident. On January 4th, the eleven people involved in the demonstration pled guilty to one count each of climbing Mount Rushmore. Each was given a $450 fine. Five who had prior misdemeanor arrests were each sentenced to 100 hours community service to be served at Mount Rushmore or another NPS unit; one who had an extensive criminal history was sentenced to two days in jail and 100 hours community service in a park unit; the remaining five were each sentenced to 50 hours community service at a park unit. All climbing and recording equipment seized during the arrests were forfeited over to the government. [Beth Shott, Special Agent]
On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 5th, a Mount Rushmore employee reported an unattended vehicle in a legal but uncommonly used parking pullout on the west side of the park. Rangers responded, located the vehicle, conducted an NCIC inquiry, and received a return for a local man from Rapid City with no outstanding wants or warrants against him. Approximately three-and-a-half hours later, park dispatch was notified of a late return from NCIC on the above vehicle that advised that the registered owner was listed as being a missing/endangered person. Rangers returned to the area to investigate and discovered the vehicle at the same place. Additional personnel, including the park's explosives detection canine unit (which is also trained in human tracking), were called in to begin a search. They were joined by personnel from assisting agencies. Approximately 15 minutes after the search began, the man was found about 40 yards from the roadway at the base of a 40-foot cliff. A deputy coroner on scene confirmed that he was dead and that he probably died from a fall from the 40 foot cliff. No weapons were found at the scene. Keystone Ambulance Service and Keystone Volunteer Fire Department assisted in removing the body. Pennington County is leading the investigation with the NPS and FBI assisting. [Captain Gregory T. Monahan, Midwest Regional Office]
A New Mexico man barricaded himself inside his vehicle after being stopped by rangers for traffic-related offenses on the evening of Sunday, June 24th. He then shot himself. The man was stopped on Highway 244, which runs through the heart of the park. During the stop, the man produced a handgun. He then barricaded himself in his vehicle, a conversion van, and began making statements clearly indicating he wanted to harm himself. The Rapid City/Pennington County Special Response Team responded when it was determined that the man had additional firearms. They spent several hours trying to negotiate with him. At 2:30 a.m. Monday, the team entered the van and found the man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Source: Rapid City Journal.
A 58-year-old Illinois man died in a hiking accident in on Thursday, July 19th. A.R. died of blunt force trauma after an accidental fall. His body was found by hikers at the base of a cliff not far from the memorial the following day. The hikers said that it appeared he had fallen while climbing on the rocks in that area. Rangers and Pennington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the initial call. The FBI is assisting with the ongoing investigation. Source: Rapid City Journal.
A severely dehydrated teenage hiker who was described as slipping in and out of consciousness was among three people rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard from a remote area of Isle Royale earlier this month. A ranger from the park contacted the Coast Guard late on Monday, August 6th, saying they had gotten a call for help from a group of hikers, who'd sent an emergency message using a hand-held satellite communicator. A helicopter from Air Station Traverse City arrived on the Lake Superior island around midnight and a rescue swimmer was lowered to help three hikers into the aircraft. The person having the most trouble appeared to be an 18-year-old woman who was reportedly severely dehydrated and going in and out of consciousness. Two other hikers also had symptoms of dehydration. All three were taken to the Duluth airport, and helped by waiting emergency medical workers. Source: Grand Rapids Press.
A Nebraska woman was fined $1,000 after she climbed Mount Rushmore barefoot and with no rope. The incident occurred on July 12th. A.I. was charged with climbing Mount Rushmore, violating a closure or public use limit, trespassing on property not open to the public, and failure to obey a lawful order. She plead guilty to climbing the monument in federal court and was fined $1,000. The other charges were dropped. Rangers repeatedly called to her to come down before she finally did so. At the time, A.I. was moving between the heads of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson as she ascended the monument. She met the rangers near the chins of the former presidents and was arrested and charged. A.I. was visiting the park with a score of family members, including her children, ages three and seven. Source: Kassidy Vavra, New York Daily News.
A Michigan climber who was spotted earlier this month on Mount Rushmore and later slipped down a cliff has been fined $1,500. On August 19th, dispatchers received a report that a climber — A.D. — had been seen on Mt. Rushmore on the top of George Washington's head. He was reportedly creating a hazardous condition by climbing an unsafe slope. A.D. soon fell about 25 feet, then tumbled down a loose gravel slope. A.D. was treated by a medic, but declined to be taken to a hospital. Rangers then arrested him. Last week, A.D. pled guilty to illegally climbing the mountain. Source: Associated Press.
A 20-year-old Indiana woman who ascended Mount Rushmore at night has been released after pleading guilty to one federal charge of illegally climbing the national memorial. M.V. appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Rapid City, on January 4th, the day after a park ranger coaxed her down from the talus pile below George Washington's lapel, some 200 feet up the monument. She told the ranger she'd climbed the mountain at night to elude detection. M.V. was "sober, cooperative and uninjured" according to law enforcement reports, but a ranger found a bottle of champagne and a fake ID after searching M.V.'s vehicle in the memorial's parking lot. Two female companions with what reports described as a "large amount of camping gear" were also questioned at the scene, but M.V. maintained she hiked the memorial alone. Source: Christopher Vondracek, West Central Tribune.
A 2023 test of the park's drinking water showed a Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) concentration of 9.8 parts per trillion, more than two times higher than the recently-finalized Environmental Protection Agency limit of 4 parts per trillion. (PFOS is a member of the synthetic chemical group known collectively as perfluorinated alkylated substances, or PFAS.) That 2023 test is considered preliminary and does not "count" toward the new limits until 2027. The EPA will use annual running averages to determine compliance. Mount Rushmore is the only site in South Dakota to test above the new EPA limits. The park has stated that they are monitoring results and considering mitigation. Source: South Dakota Searchlight
On June 7, a federal court of appeals denied a request to suspend new air tour restrictions in the two parks while a lawsuit against the NPS, Department of the Interior, and Federal Aviation Administration proceeds through the courts. [Editor note: The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks is mentioned in the article for its role as an intervenor in the case.] Source: South Dakota Searchlight | |