Park News July 8,2008

Denali National Park & Preserve

A member of the park’s staff shot an aggressive black bear in a remote section of the Denali National Park additions on the night of July 4th. The black bear had threatened the life and safety of three park employees in an area along the McKinley River approximately 20 miles northwest of Wonder Lake. A research team consisting of three seasonal NPS biological technicians was conducting a botany field study along the remote river bar when a sub-adult black bear approached their field camp at 11:15 p.m. on July 4th.  The team responded with aversive action, including yelling, arm-waving, and throwing objects at the bear.  After initially being chased off into dense brush, the bear circled back to the camp three or four times, and at one point clawed and destroyed one of the team’s tents. On its final approach to the camp, the black bear aggressively charged the three researchers, hissing and pouncing at the ground.  An attempt to divert the bear with pepper spray was ineffective. In accordance with policy set forth in the park’s bear-human conflict management plan, one of the researchers made the decision to shoot the bear when it charged within 20 feet of the team and posed immediate hazard to human safety.  The employee, who was qualified and authorized by the National Park Service to carry and use firearms in the park, hit the bear in its mid-section with a 12-gauge shotgun slug.  Despite considerable blood loss, the wounded bear moved into dense vegetation and out of view. The three employees immediately notified park dispatch.  The following morning, the park wildlife biologist, along with two protection rangers and one backcountry ranger, were flown to the camp in a park helicopter to investigate the situation and take further action if necessary. The group tracked the blood trail for 200 meters, but were unable to locate the wounded bear in the dense brush. Both the helicopter and an airplane searched from the air, but spotters were similarly unable to locate the bear. In light of the remoteness of the incident and the amount of blood loss to the bear, park officials consider there to be little, if any, ongoing hazard to human life.  Park managers have issued a backcountry closure for the area in question, a remote unit that sees very limited visitor activity. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

A 20-year-old man who was at a bonfire on Ocean Beach on the evening of June 21st was approached by a 15-year-old boy and stabbed five times in the stomach, neck, head, shoulder and hand. There was no apparent cause for the attack. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was stabilized, then admitted in serious condition. Park Police officers responded and conducted a search for the assailant, but were unable to find him. Detective Robert O’Connor was assigned to the case and was able to identify the assailant after two days of investigation. The boy was contacted and agreed to come to the Park Police station and give a statement. He appeared with his mother and confessed to the attack. On June 30th, the San Francisco youth district attorney charged the boy with attempted murder as an adult.

 

Bandelier National Monument

A bomb threat was phoned into the park visitor center on its main incoming public line at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, July 4th. The main developed area of Frijoles Canyon was immediately evacuated – including the visitor center, interpretive trails, the administrative and maintenance complex, the park concessions operation, and park housing. More than 100 visitors and all non-essential park staff were evacuated, Frijoles Canyon was closed, and the park’s emergency incident action plan was activated. Responding were local fire and EMS personnel and bomb squads from Los Alamos County, the New Mexico State Police, and the FBI. Explosives canine teams searched the developed area and the tops of all buildings were checked by helicopter. Nothing was found. Meanwhile, rangers investigated all unaccounted for vehicles, also without finding anything. No suspects have been identified. Frijoles Canyon remained closed until 7 a.m. on July 5th.

 

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River

Two young men drowned in separate incidents on the Delaware River within hours of each other on the afternoon of the Fourth of July. Around 1 p.m. Pablo Ferreira, 17, of Mount Vernon, New York, was swimming with a companion near the Skinners Falls Road bridge when he began having trouble staying afloat and disappeared underwater. His companion made it to shore and called 911. Rangers, New York State Police officers and local fire and EMS personnel were dispatched to the accident scene. Rangers and local canoe livery staff conducted a hasty search and found Ferreira in about nine feet of water. CPR was begun and he was taken to Catskill Regional Medical Center in Callicoon, where he was pronounced dead. Then, around 5 p.m., there was a second drowning near Kittatinny Riverside Campground. Ryan Nibar, 28, of Queens, New York, was swimming with friends when he began calling for help. Nibar’s companion attempted to help him but also had difficulty and couldn’t reach him. A 911 calls was made; rangers, state troopers, Highland constables, and local fire, dive and EMS personnel were dispatched. The Sullivan County dive team recovered Nibar’s body around 6:15 p.m. Investigations into both drownings are underway.

 

Gateway National Recreation Area

On the morning of July 5th, staff in the Sandy Hook Unit were notified of a dryer fire at the Seagulls Nest restaurant, a park concessioner. The park’s fire brigade and Highlands VFD responded. The fire was controlled with two 20-pound fire extinguishers and the dryer was removed from the building. The wall in the area of the dryer vent was opened and a thermal imager was used to check for fire extension into the structure. All doors and serving windows were opened and a ventilation fan was set up to clear smoke from the building. The dryer had been used the previous evening, but employees reported turning it off before leaving at 11 p.m. An employee found the dryer burning after opening the dryer door at approximately 9 a.m.  Damage was limited to the dryer and washer, a melted light cover, the opening into the wall, and soot and dry chemical agent. The county fire marshal’s office was notified and an investigator responded. The fire investigator concurred the fire was not suspicious and that it probably started the night before and smoldered during the night. Once the dryer door was opened, it began burning. The drum in the dryer did not turn freely after the fire and could have been the cause of the fire if it had stopped turning when in use the previous evening. The dryer vent and hose were clear of lint and other obstructions. The concession operator was advised to use the dryer only when staff is present in the building and to make sure it is not left running after closing.

 

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The Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services (LESES) is seeking applicants for a detail or temporary promotion assignment (NTE 120 days) as deputy chief of the division. The detail will start on or about July 21st and continue through September 30th, but may last up to 120 days. The start date is somewhat negotiable.

The person in this position will report directly to the acting chief and will assist in establishing national policy in programs related to the park ranger profession. He/she must possess the skills needed to effectively communicate with officials and individuals at all levels, inside and outside the NPS. Issues dealt with may be controversial and sensitive, requiring the use of negotiating skills and diplomacy. Responsibilities include:

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  Oversight of administrative functions, analysis of programs, strategic planning, providing data, and insuring fiscal accountability.


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  Direct oversight of the drug and ARPA enforcement programs.


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  Assisting as a field expert in a variety of law enforcement and emergency services functions.  


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  Oversight of law enforcement policy development, NPS participation in responses to critical incidents, such as hurricanes, fires, acts of terrorism, marijuana cultivation on public lands and border intrusions. 

This detail provides outstanding developmental opportunities and exposure to Servicewide program management in protection programs and also provides day-to-day experience in working with other national programs, including resource stewardship, budget, regulations and legislative affairs.

Housing will be provided in a comfortable apartment with easy access to the Metro rail system. Salary, travel, and per diem will be covered by WASO.

For questions about the position please contact Lane Baker at 202-513-7128 or Ralph Coury at 202-513-7019.  Upon obtaining supervisory support, interested applicants should send a resume or brief work history no later than July 18th.  Electronic format via email is acceptable, or you may fax to a secure fax line at 202-371-1869.

 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is accepting resumes for qualified candidates seeking a non-competitive lateral reassignment to a GL-0025-09 protection ranger position. This position is permanent full time and requires a Level 1 commission. This is a required occupancy position, requiring you to live in Yosemite Valley. .

Yosemite National Park is located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range with a variety of recreational opportunities available. A market, stores, restaurants, church and elementary school are located within the district. Small towns, including Mariposa and Oakhurst, are approximately a one hour drive, and large metropolitan areas including Fresno and Merced are two hours away.

Yosemite rangers provide primary law enforcement services to a permanent population of approximately 1,500 residents, with overnight populations peaking at approximately 15,000 visitors during the summer months.  This is a true all risk operation, providing law enforcement and investigative services along with EMS, search and rescue, technical rescue, swift water rescue, structural fire and wildland fire.  Many leadership opportunities exist, including operational risk management, field training/evaluation program, firearms instructor, taser instructor, detac instructor, parkmedic and development in supervision.

If interested, please submit your resume, most recent SF-50 and performance appraisal no later than July 21st to Irma Keheley, Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 700-HR, El Portal, CA  95318.  You may also email your resume to:  Irma_Keheley@nps.gov.  For additional information regarding this position, please contact Leslie Reynolds, Valley District Ranger, at (209) 372-0228.

 

NPS Alumni

Legendary NPS ranger Robert (Bob) Frauson, 84, of Columbia Falls, Montana, passed away on June 20th. At the time of his death, he was living at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, Montana, where he received loving care. 

Bob was a distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division (86-A) and served in the mountains of Italy during World War II.  After graduating from Colorado State University in 1951, he taught junior high school industrial arts in Greeley, Colorado.  He began his NPS career at Devils Tower National Monument, then worked for over ten years as a Longs Peak climbing ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park.  While there, he met and married Ann Davis and together they had two daughters, Deb and Karen. In 1962, the family moved to St. Mary Ranger Station in Glacier National Park, where they lived for the next 20 years.

As a ranger, Bob was invaluable in emergency services and resource protection for the eastside of Glacier National Park.   He skillfully taught countless rangers the skills and attributes necessary to serve in the alpine environs of Glacier.  Bob served the employees, visitors, and resources of Glacier at the highest level.  He retired in 1982 as Glacier’s Hudson Bay District Ranger. 

In retirement, Bob and Ann moved to the Flathead Valley where Bob became active with Glacier Nordic Ski Club.  He also volunteered with the disabled ski program at Big Mountain.  Bob’s passions included his family, friends, skiing, hiking and silversmithing.

Bob is survived by Ann, his wife and life partner of 50 years, and his two daughters, Deb Frauson and Karen Frauson, both currently working for the NPS at Grand Teton National Park. 

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Glacier’s Lake McDonald Lodge auditorium on July 19th from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. All of his friends are invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Search and Rescue Fund, Glacier National Park, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT  59936

 

NPS Alumni

Legendary ranger Dale Nuss passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 20th at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, Montana, where he had been a resident since 2004.

Dale Hudson Nuss was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 31, 1925.  He spent his childhood summers growing up near the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, where his father worked at Pahaska Teepee.  Early summers were also spent throughout Yellowstone where his father operated a boy’s summer pack camp, Camp Trails.  Dale served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II, where he was a waist gunner in a B-24, flying numerous missions over Germany,

After the war Dale attended Colorado State University.  He also worked as a seasonal fire control aid and park ranger in Yellowstone from 1947-1952, where he met his wife and life companion, Bunny, in 1952.  Bunny was working as a waitress at the time for the YP Company at the Mammoth Grill. Dale worked as a park ranger at Shenandoah National Park and returned to Yellowstone as a permanent employee in 1953, remaining in Yellowstone until his retirement in 1980. 

During his long career in Yellowstone, Dale worked as a park ranger at many locations, serving as district ranger in the West, South and North Districts, as assistant chief ranger,  ans as a specialist in forestry, fire, and bear management. Dale was involved in most aspects of park management, including the elk/bison management programs, which he supervised.  He developed and designed A-frame cabins to replace tent-frames and log patrol cabins that required replacement.  Four A-frame cabins stand as a continuing monument to Dale’s innovation.

Dale had love and passion for many things.  His craftsmanship was superb and he could turn a plain piece of wood into true artistry.  His working knowledge of almost everything in life still amazes folks to this day.  Dale built a unique/custom retirement home in Bozeman and displayed his craftsmanship building custom doors and furniture, and making stained-glass pieces, plus he could knit you a fine sweater.

His love of animals and nature were immeasurable.  He loved his family and wife more than he could show and his friends he held close to his heart, often times showing this, but at times holding much privacy around certain areas and people in his life.  Through his sometimes gruff  “Nasty Nuss” exterior, there was probably not one request that he did not honor.

Survivors include Bunny, his wife of 53 years, of Bozeman, MT; daughters Lori of Park City, UT and Cara Lee, son-in-law John Patmore and granddaughter Anna of Gunnison, CO; daughter-in-law Mary Nuss (Stuart Nuss), McKenzie Bridge, OR; nephew Bob Carnes of Las Vegas, NV; and niece Jenny McGrane of Poulsbo, WA.  Dale was preceded in death by son Stuart in December, 2007, sister Sarah Jane Carnes, and parents.

A memorial for both Stuart and Dale is being planned for Saturday, August 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone.  Please contact either Cara Lee at cara_lee_nuss@nps.gov or Lori at lorinuss@comcast.net, (781)915-8646 for further details, including camping and lodging information. 

If you would like to honor Dale’s service to and love for Yellowstone, memorial gifts are being accepted at the Yellowstone Park Foundation,  222 East Main Street, Suite 301, Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: 406-586-6303, www.ypf.org, in support of the Ranger Fund.

 

Pacific West Region

Wendy K. Janssen has been chosen as the new superintendent of two of Idaho’s national park areas – Hagerman Fossil Beds NM and Minidoka Internment NM.

“I am impressed with Wendy’s ability to lead in inspiring park partners and park staff,” said regional director Jon Jarvis. “Her work in parks around the country demonstrates how important it is to work with communities.”

Janssen replaces Neil King, who retired at the first of this year.  She expects to arrive at park headquarters in by the middle of August.

“I look forward to working with park staff, stakeholders, and the communities surrounding Hagerman Fossil Beds and Minidoka Internment,” Janssen said.  “I am committed to making parks accessible to all, seeking innovative solutions, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, protecting and preserving irreplaceable resources, and connecting the meaning and relevance of NPS sites with the public.”

Janssen will be moving from her post as chief of interpretation and education at Santa Monica Mountains NRA. In this capacity, Janssen forged innovative partnerships to engage and educate park visitors. In 2007, she took on an additional assignment, excelling as acting superintendent at Cabrillo NM, where she worked for four months, providing leadership and overall management.

She has worked in management positions as the chief of cultural resources and planning at Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS and Preservation District, as chief of interpretation and cultural resources at Whiskeytown NRA, and as an interpretive planner at Harpers Ferry Center.

Janssen has also served around the country as a park ranger at several parks – the USS Arizona Memorial, Natchez NHP, Boston NHP, Lowell NHP, St. Gaudens, NHS, and Lyndon B. Johnson NHP.

Janssen is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BA in political science. She will be relocating with her husband, Steven Floray, a staff curator with Pacific West Regional Office.

Hagerman Fossil Beds NM preserves extraordinary fossils from the Pliocene Epoch, 3.5 million years ago, including the Hagerman Horse Quarry and more than 200 fossilized plants and animals.  Minidoka Internment NM preserves the history and cultural resources associated with the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War.