The Buffalo Chip Resource Management Newsletter Yellowstone National Park Fall-Winter 1999

HIGHLIGHTS P.W. Norris'"Old Ruin" 4 New Data Layers (GIS) 10 Researchers Honored 22

FEDERAL AGENCIES MOVE FORWARD ON BISON PLAN Information from USDA News Release

The federal agencies involved in the Yellow­ These zones would then be buffered by stone bison situation recently advised the state of additional zones into which no bison would be Montana that they are moving ahead to complete permitted. Cattle would be permitted back in the an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the zones 45 days after bison have returned to the management of the Yellowstone bison herd. park. Given that the brucella organism survives Because negotiations with Montana reached an for only approximately 17 days in spring condi­ impasse, agency officials decided to move for­ tions, this 45 day separation allows more than ward on their own to protect cattle and minimize ample time for the organism to expire. the lethal control of bison. Long-term, the agencies are committed to The agency proposal is designed to address developing and using a safe and effective vaccine both short-term and long-term goals of the EIS in the park until brucellosis is eradicated from the process, including the eventual eradication of herd. Safety studies for calfhood vaccination brucellosis from the Yellowstone ecosystem. In should be completed by the winter of 2000-2001. the short term, it would provide spatial and Studies on vaccine effectiveness should be com­ temporal separation of bison and cattle through a pleted by the fall of 2002, and a safe and effective zoned approach. The proposal would allow bison delivery mechanism should be developed by the outside of the park only in three very limited and summer of 2002. well-defined areas to the west and north. Only The Park Service, the Forest Service, and 100 would be allowed in the Horse Butte west Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service boundary area, 100 in the Reese Creek area, and (APHIS) are in agreement on the basic elements 200 in the Eagle Creek/Bear Creek area. Adjust­ of a sound, workable plan. The Park Service has ments would be made as needed. agreed to vaccinate inside the park. The Forest Service has adjusted grazing allotments to help lands north of the park has provided significant maintain critical separation between bison and additional potential for bison winter grazing. cattle. APHIS has clearly stated that the federal As the agencies move forward, they will plan will not jeopardize Montana's brucellosis-free continue working with Montana on daily bison status. Further, the recent $ 13 million purchase of management issues.

WINTER BISON MONITORING PROJECTS CONTINUE By Gregg Kurz

With the advent of the winter season, park ments and their surrounding corridors. A total of personnel are once again making preparations for eight automated camera systems in weatherproof monitoring bison use of the groomed road system. boxes will be located within the two monitoring For the past two years, as a result of a settlement areas. The cameras are programmed to photo­ agreement regarding winter use in Yellowstone graph the roadway at predetermined intervals and Grand Teton national parks and John D. throughout the entire monitoring season. Once a Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway, the National month, an aerial survey of the road corridors and Park Service has been monitoring bison move­ surrounding areas will be conducted to monitor ments and road use in the Hayden Valley portion movement patterns and total numbers of bison. of Yellowstone. Last year, the monitoring pro­ Groomer operators will also assist the monitoring gram was expanded to include the road section effort by recording any encounters with bison from Mammoth south to Gibbon Falls. during groorning runs. Each of the road segments will be monitored During last year's monitoring period, a total from December 7 through mid March with a of 64 ground surveys were completed between combination of ground surveys, photo-points, and December 13,1998, and March 27,1999, in aerial surveys. Ground surveys are conducted by each study area. A total of 2,458 bison group two-person crews on randomly determined days observations were recorded during this period. and times to record bison numbers, location, Group sizes ranged from 1-135 in the Hayden behavior, movement, and use of the road seg­ study area, with an average of 14 animals per group. Group sizes in the Mammoth study area ranged from 1-62 and averaged 8 animals per group. Bison distances from the road ranged from 0-2.5 kilometers. Of the 2,458 observations, 5.8 percent (58) in Mammoth and 9.4 percent (137) in Hayden were documented on the roads, as compared to 2 percent (26) in Hayden in 1997— 98. Aerial survey results indicated that the num­ ber of bison remained fairly stable in both study areas between December and February. Bison numbers changed substantially, however, during the month of March, more than doubling in the

2 Mammoth study area and decreasing by nearly 25 ters resulted in bison running. On three occasions percent in the Hayden study area. bison moved off the road, and on one occasion The eight cameras located along the survey bison showed no discernible reaction. routes were programmed to record an image at In addition to the monitoring in Hayden one and one-half hour intervals during daylight. Valley and along the Gibbon to Mammoth road As was the case last year, cold temperatures in the segment, researchers from Montana State Univer­ evenings and on certain days caused severe sity (MSU) and ranger staff from Madison will battery drain, occasionally interrupting the pro­ also be monitoring bison use of the groomed cess. A total of 2,299 pictures were taken, 8 roads. Graduate students from MSU will be percent (184) recording bison. Of the 184 documenting bison movements and road use along sightings, 8 percent (14) were of bison on the the roads from the West Entrance to Madison groomed road surface. Junction and from Madison Junction to Old Canyon and Lake trail groomer operators Faithful as a part of their winter field season. provided data, date, and time for any bison Ranger staff fromMadiso n will be monitoring encounter on the trail during each grooming run. bison movements along the road corridor while on A total of 185 grooming runs occurred during the patrol and coordinating administrative activities study period, and on 14 (7.5%) occasions bison with other staff. If you would like more informa­ were observed on the road. Ten of these encoun­ tion, please call Gregg Kurz at 344-2213.

PARKS JOIN TOGETHER IN HOLIDAY TOY AND BOOK COLLECTION FOR OGLALA INDIAN CHILDREN By Laura Joss

In June, tornados struck the remote village of National Monument and Wind Cave National Oglala on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Park so that they could join Yellowstone National South Dakota. As winter sets in, many Oglala Park in a holiday collection of toys and books for families are still struggling to recover fromth e loss the Oglala children. of homes or property. The Oglala Lakota/Sioux Thanks to generous donations fromNPS are one of the American Indian tribes culturally and concessions staff at all seven parks, a total of affiliated to many parks in the Intermountain and five vehicles full of toys and books were taken to Midwest regions. Oglala, South Dakota on Saturday, December 11, To assist the Oglala during this difficult time, 1999. Some employees from Yellowstone drove Laura Joss contacted employees from Agate personal vehicles as far as 1,200 miles round trip Fossil Beds National Monument, Badlands to make the delivery. Upon their arrival, all were National Park, Fort Laramie National Historic pleased to see about 75 extremely happy children Site, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff and their families receive these holiday gifts.

3 RECONNAISSANCE OF P.W. NORMS' "OLD RUIN" By Lee H. Whittlesey

On September 9,1999, a party of six, with did long ago occasionally visit portions of the park special permission, hiked into the bear-closure for trapping or concealment, and perhaps both" area at the head of Antelope Creek northeast of (1878, p. 983). Mount Washburn in order to survey a potential In his 1880 report, Norris elaborated on this cultural site. According to Kerry Gunther, this building that he thought was 40-50 years old at area has been closed since 1983 for the protec­ that time. Under the heading "Habitations of tion of grizzly bears. Members of the party were White Men Within the Park," he stated: Lee Whittlesey, archivist; Kerry Gunther, bear biologist; Paul Schullery, writer/editor; Frankie "An earth-roofed, loop-holed cabin, 16 by Collins, archival VIP; Kathryn Lancaster, library 20 feet in diameter, discovered by [my friend technician; and Carolyn Duckworth, Gardiner the hunter] Frederick Bottler, and visited and area writer/researcher. described by me in 1878, was almost entirely The group was attempting to survey a site on destroyed by the great fire of 1879. It was the western edge of the Grand Canyon of the situated between Antelope Creek and the Yellowstone River, located on the river some five Grand Canon, below Mount Washburn. to six miles above the mouth of Antelope Creek. Nothing is certainly known of its age, or of The site that we believe is Norris' "Old Ruin" is a the character of its builders, but the advanced prominent, bare knoll on the edge of the canyon decay of the timber of which it is constructed, that stands well above the surrounding landscape. its fallen roof and generally dilapidated Norris first mentioned his Old Ruin in 1878 condition, indicate that it was the work of ("Report on the Yellowstone National Park," Hudson Bay or other trappers forty or fifty 1878, p. 983) when he noted that he had traveled years ago. In corroboration of along the canyon that year "past the ruins of an this theory is the absence ancient, once loop-holed, earth-roofed of port-holes opening block-house some 16 by 20 feet in diam­ alike each way, as eter and of unknown origin" and implying usual and proper in that it was near "a dense forest at the foot of a bald rocky spur of Mount Washburn." Norris referred a second time in that report (1878, p. 983) to this structure: "the ruins of an ancient block-house with earth roof and port-holes, clearly the work of unknown white men, near the Grand Canon below Mount Washburn " He gave the possible reasons for white trappers to have visited the park as follows: "Border legends, although often gross exaggerations, are seldom wholly false, and scores of them [that I have heard] indicate that white mountaineers

4 the now general use of fire-arms by Indians. doghair trees (most of them seven feet high at this This arrangement would have allowed a time, eleven years after the great fires of 1988) warrior armed with bow and arrows, by that covered much of the knoll (only its summit stealthy maneuvering in darkness through the was bare), we believe that we did a good job of timber, to use his weapons silence and within searching it. We found no cultural remnants of any point-blank range in front with terrible effect, kind: no chimney stones, leather hinges, hewn but which was in trapper days prevented by logs, nails, or anything else to indicate there had using loop-holes, each open but one way, but ever been a structure here. I carried a metal alternating in direction, thus preventing a detector to the site and got no sounds from it as I bowman fromreachin g a dangerous position walked the entire knoil. We then walked north before exposed to loop-holed cross-fire" through the meadows along Antelope Creek and ("Annual Report of the Superintendent," reached the road at about four-thirty. 1880, p. 36.). Although there is no historical documentation of Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) fur trappers in N orris showed this Old Ruin clearly on his Yellowstone, I believe that P.W. Norris had maps of 1879,1880, and 1881. These maps greater credibility in making such a statement than made it easy to find the proper knoll on the edge most observers of his day, because he stated at of the canyon that was once the site of this cabin. one point that he personally worked for this Not only was this site near an angled, dry company during the 1840s (I am fairly certain that creekbed shown on one of Norris' maps, but this information is contained in Norris's long there is no other logical site for it on the edge of manuscript "Meanderings of a Mountaineer"). I the heavily timbered and uneven canyon here suspect that Norris recognized something in the between the knoll and the precipitous beginnings design or construction of the cabin that made him of Rowland Pass to the south. Additionally, the confident enough to state matter of factly that it "bald rocky spur" of Mount Washburn, mentioned was an HBC stmcture. That Norris mentioned by Norris, is plainly visible to the south of this the Hudson Bay Company in at least three places location. The ridge (spur) is timbered nearly to the in his reports (1880, p. 30; 1878, p. 990; 1878, top, but remains bald and rocky at one tiny spot p. 989) makes it clear that he personally believed on its summit, and was so prominent that at one that HBC trappers had at some early time been in point Paul Schullery mentioned it as a curiosity. I Yellowstone. later noticed that Norris had actually mentioned it. Norris also found a cache of what he thought The group arrived at this location around one were HBC traps near Obsidian Cliff. He stated in the afternoon. After traveling east for sometime that they were "martin steel-traps of a peculiar through dense, small new trees (called "doghair" form only used by the Hudson Bay trappers some forest by recent firewriters ) toward the edge of fifty years ago" (1878, p. 989). Perhaps the the Grand Canyon, Paul Schullery called to our existence of traps like these at his Old Ruin or attention the prominent, bare knoll to the north­ some other peculiarity convinced Norris that the east. We hailed it immediately as the likely spot Old Ruin had been constructed by HBC. and ascended it. The six of us spent more than an Paul Schullery is writing a letter to Aubrey L. hour walking individually over and around this Haines to ask whether or not Haines himself or knoll, searching for any signs of a log cabin or for others he knows of ever made any attempts to any other cultural remnants. Even with the dense, find Norris'Old Ruin.

5 NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS ByAnnDeutch

Developing Effective Ecological Indicators This project was carried out in 1995. The for Watershed Analysis fish remaining in the hatchery are second genera­ Principal Investigator: Dr. Duncan Patten, Yellow­ tion descendents of wild fish. "Although hatchery stone Ecosystem Studies management procedures today make every effort Dr. Patten proposes to develop a remote to minimize inbreeding potential and unintentional sensing routine that will evaluate watershed selection, the hatchery environment has inherent conditions accurately and economically throughout risks that may lead to a reduction in fitness for the western U.S. The Yellowstone River (includ­ survival in the wild." Besides the risk of inbreed­ ing its headwaters in Soda Butte and Cache ing, the shallow-flowing water environment in the creeks) provides an ideal study site because it hatchery affects these deep-water lake fish. includes both pristine and disturbed sections. The In September, the USFWS gillnetted about full study area begins upstream of YNP and 100 lake trout in Lewis Lake and transferred them continues to Livingston, Montana. Although most to "live cars," long, tubular underwater nets. The work will be done using remote sensing tech­ live cars were anchored a few hundred yards from niques, several study sites will be chosen in YNP the dock and marked with buoys. The captured for stream morphology, habitat, and aquatic fish were injected with a hormone to ripen their macroinvertebrate analysis. eggs and sperm. After approximately one week the fish were squeezed and the fertilized eggs Collection of Gametes from Wildstock Lewis collected. The adult fish were released. Lake Lake Trout to Establish a Captive Broodstock to Support Lake Trout Restora­ Carnivore Spatial Organization Before and tion in the Great Lakes During Elk Harvest on the Buffalo Plateau: A Principal Investigators: Ed Stege, Saratoga Collaborative Pilot Study National Fish Hatchery (USFWS), and Dave Principal Investigator: Dr. Doug Smith, YNP Erdahl, Bozeman Fish Technology Center (collaborating with Toni Ruth and Howard Quigley (USFWS) of the Hornocker Wildlife Institute, Charles The lake trout in Lewis Lake were planted Schwartz and Mark Haroldson of the IGBST, using stock from Lake Michigan in 1890. A Dan Tyers of the second stocking of lake trout from a private Gallatin National hatchery was done in 1941, and no other stock­ Forest, and Kevin Fry ings have since occurred. These lake trout of Montana Fish, comprise one of the most genetically variable Wildlife and Parks). populations remaining in existence. They are liable to be the most vigorous choice for reintroduction programs in the Great Lakes. Earlier this century, lake trout in the Great Lakes were extirpated through overfishing and the invasion of the sea lamprey. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is attempting to reintroduce lake trout to Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ohio lakes.

6 Since the reintroduction of wolves to the mortality do not change with the onset of hunting greater Yellowstone area, the entire suite of large season. native carnivores, (grizzly and black bears, cou­ gars, coyotes, and wolves) has been restored. Search for the Upper Temperature Limit for Humans also harvest wild ungulates. Understand­ Eucarya—Is There Complex Life Beyond ing how these different carnivores interact will be Earth? critical for managing and conserving carnivores as Principal Investigator: Dr. Jonathan Trent, NASA well as managing the human harvest of elk. Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA Besides the impacts on elk, how three of Modem biologists divide life into three these carnivores (wolves, grizzly bears, and categories: bacteria, archaea, and eucarya. The cougars) react to each other, use the landscape, eucarya are complex organisms like us whose and respond to the onset of hunting season is cells all have internal organelles such as a nucleus unknown and has not been previously studied. and mitochondria. Although some 40 projects a The little data that exists indicates that bears are year study the microbes of YNP thermal environ­ dominant to wolves and wolves dominant to ments, only a few researchers have searched for cougars at kill sites. Other studies indicate that high temperature eucarya. Dr. Trent will search habitat preferences tend to keep these carnivores for other very small life forms that exist along with separate, but no data exists on how hunter-killed the bacteria studied by most other researchers. elk attract or repulse carnivores, or what the hunter carcasses or increased human presence do Request to Explore Drill Hole Y-7 (Biscuit to alter the habitat separation normally exhibited. Basin) for Microbial Life We presume that bears will control hunter- Principal Investigator: Dr. Norman Pace, Univer­ provided carcasses and displace wolves and sity of Colorado, permit#1403, Phylogenetic cougars. Mortality for all three species may Analysis of High-Temperature Ecosystems increase because of human exposure. In 1967 or 1968, several wells were drilled A pilot study was conducted in September in YNP thermal areas by the USGS under the by daily aerial monitoring of wolves, grizzly bears, direction of Dr. Don White. Well Y-7 is near and cougars. The study area centered on the Biscuit Basin, and it is 242 feet deep with a steel territory of the Rose Creek wolf pack, which casing lining the upper 102 feet. In 1978, Dr. ranges the Buffalo Plateau in and out of YNP and Thomas Brock was unable to findmicrobe s in one is bounded on the south by the Yellowstone River. of the drilled wells. In 1993, Ph.D. candidate Sue Eight wolves, four to six grizzly bears, and three Bams (under Dr. Pace's direction) was also cougars comprised the telemetered animals unable to find life in Y-7. It is assumed by the involved in the study. Study animals were located current research team that the contamination by random search once each day prior to and introduced into the well by the original drilling mud during hunting season. Hunter camps and kills as well as the minimal contamination introduced in were located from the ground or opportunistically Dr. Bams' study has since been flushed from the from the air. Carnivore landscape use was well. Dr. Pace will try once again to search for compared before and after the onset of hunting microbial life in Y-7. season. The major objectives of the pilot study Dr. Pace will open the well and drop a were to test methodologies, and to determine thermometer down to various depths. When the sampling error and necessary sample sizes. temperature gradient has been defined, 10 to 30 Another objective was to test the (null) hypothesis microbe "traps" will be deployed along a cable that carnivore landscape use, behavior, and and the whole cable lowered into the well and left

7 for one or two months. When the traps are the Idaho study with a special removed, another temperature gradient measure­ emphasis on identifying ment will be made. periods of drought analogous Dr. Pace expects to conclusively prove that to the drought of 1988. In there is no life deep in the hole. However, he addition, Dr. Graurnlich will anticipates a distinct possibility that he will be explore the potential of using wrong. If so, this hole will become a unique tree ring data from across the laboratory for the study of extremophiles. The Western U.S. to model climate change in the temperature near the surface is 50°C, and at 200 GYE. She collaborates with Dr. Brown of the feet it is 140°C. This conveniently spans the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research of the Univer­ known upper temperature limit for life (113°C). If sity of Arizona, whose project in YNP was life is found, Y-7 will undoubtedly become a site approved earlier this year. of considerable scientific interest because it is far more accessible than the ocean bottom, the Residence Times of Silicic Magmas Under nearest analog to the depths of Y-7. Yellowstone Principal investigator: Dr. Mary R. Reid, UCLA, Climatic Variation in the Greater Yellowstone Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Los Ecosystem: Evaluating the Evidence for Angeles, CA Decade to Centennial Variability in Climate Do post-caldera lava flows represent re­ Principal Investigator: Dr. Lisa Graumlich, Direc­ sidual magma from the caldera-forming eruption, tor, Mountain Research Center, Montana State or new magma entering the reservoir from deeper University below Yellowstone? What is the volume and Dr. Graumlich will extent of convective overturn in the magma study the climate of the associated with the voluminous, caldera- last 1,000 years in forming eruption? Dr. Reid has recently Yellowstone. She will developed a tool for measuring thorium then evaluate the isotopes in zircon crystals, which are degree to which the common in YNP lava flows. This allows late twentieth century's her to calculate the age of zircon crystalliza­ climate is (or is not) tion in each flow. Since zircons may crystal­ outside the range of lize (at 850°C) even before the magma is natural variability. Such an erupted, this tool will allow Dr. Reid to draw analysis was done near YNP in conclusions about heat and chemistry changes in the early 1970s, however only six sites were the magma chamber before and between lava sampled. In addition, utilizing over 20 more years flows. of climatic data will allow a more reliable model of In addition, Dr. Reid proposes to attempt climate-growth relationships for extrapolation into isotope dating of allanite, another thorium rich the past. A recent study in the Sawtooth/Salmon mineral. She will also use argon isotope measure­ River region of Idaho indicates that the study near ments of other minerals to supplement this work. YNP missed several major climate changes. Dr. Volcanic glass probably crystallizes at a much Graumlich proposes to find out if the "Medieval lower temperature, and its calculated age will Warm Period" and the "Little Ice Age" are corroborate (or not) the new thorium work. recorded in YNP's tree rings. She will also look Dr. Reid's work has been primarily at the for the more complicated variability in evidence in Long Valley caldera system in California. This

8 proposal will serve to expand her new methods to controls sulfate reduction in several unrelated another young volcanic system and allow her to organisms. Therefore, he can search for the begin making generalizations about high silica appropriate DNA rather than attempting to grow caldera-forming volcanic systems. She will also these organisms. He hopes to define the role of study the Toba Tuffin northern Sumatra, Indone­ such microorganisms in the global sulfur cycle. sia, associated with the largest Quaternary caldera Second, the gene identified by Dr. Stahl is ex­ on Earth. traordinarily similar among several archaea and a bacteria under study. The enzyme produced by Documenting Trends in Yellowstone's Beaver this gene might be remarkably ancient, descended Population: A Comparison of Aerial and from a primordial organism. Dr. Stahl hopes to Ground Survey Methods find DNA from a wide variety of sulfate reducing Principal Investigator: Sue Consolo Murphy, YNP microorganisms to test his ancient enzyme theory. The presence of beaver on a watercourse If he is right, the old method of classifying some can have a significant effect on the ecology of the bacteria according to whether they can reduce area. Resource managers can monitor widescale sulfate will be rendered obsolete. changes in the land under their care by monitoring trends in the resident beaver population. Mrs. The Diet of the Yellowstone River Otter: An Consolo Murphy will continue an inventory and Umbrella Species for Aquatic Systems monitoring project for beaver. Her objective Principal Investigator: William R. is to compare aerial and ground-based Wengeler, Ph.D. student with Douglas A. inventories. If aerial inventories Kelt, University of California, Davis are an adequate reflec­ The North American river otter tion of ground-based {Lutra canadensis) is a key observations, then species in aquatic environ­ repeated monitoring ments. The otters' position from the air alone will be far at the top of aquatic food more economical than labor webs makes it probable that they will be intensive ground surveys. affected by any significant changes in lower trophic levels. Lake trout have recently been Diversity and Habitat Range of Sulfate- introduced into Yellowstone Lake and represent a Reducing Microorganisms great threat to the resident cutthroat population Principal Investigator: Dr. David Stahl, North­ and also to those species that depend upon western University cutthroat for food. This study proposes to clarify Biogeochemical cycling of elements is a the ecological role of native vs. non-native species common process in the biosphere. Microbes on Yellowstone river otters by comparing two control these cycles. This project has two as­ lakes in Yellowstone, one with a healthy popula­ pects. First, it will examine part of the sulfur cycle tion of cutthroat and one with non-native popula­ on a global basis including YNP, deep sea-vents, tions of lake and brown trout. Mr. Wengeler will deep wells (drilled by the petroleum industry), identify the major components of river otter diets, moderate to hypersaline marine areas, and mine compare dietary composition with park fisheries tailings. The microorganisms that reduce sulfate data, and quantify the degree to which river otters are extremely difficult to grow in the lab. Dr. Stahl prey upon native vs. non-native fish. has recently identified a fragment of DNA that

9 UPDATE FROM THE SPATIAL ANALYSIS CENTER By Ann Rodman

The Spatial Analysis Center is part of the very simple data collection. One major difference Yellowstone Center for Resources. We are between the first two units and the PLGR is that located in Mammoth and can be reached at the PLGR collects "real-time" data while the other extensions 344-2215, -2216, -2218, -2246, or two collect data that must be differentially cor­ -2247. rected. To differentially correct the data, you must Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Using go through an additional post-processing step to GPS units to collect digital location data is becom­ achieve the desired accuracy. ing a common data collection method in Yellow­ The ProX and GeoExplorer units can be stone. Locations are quickly recorded, accurate, checked out by anyone working for or with the and easy to convert into GIS layers. Last year the park. Access to PLGRs is controlled by the units were used to collect data about the locations rnilitary, so Federal employees can use them, but of roads, buildings, wetlands, archeological sites, volunteers and nonfederal researchers cannot. rare plants, fires, thermal features, weeds, and Using any of these units requires some training that many other things. To accommodate this in­ we are happy to provide. Please give us a call at creased demand, the Spatial Analysis Center now 344-2215 if you think you might want to use one has three different types of GPS units available for of the above units for your project. your use. We have six ProX series units, two Thermal Features Inventory. During the GeoExplorers, and two Precision Lightweight summer of 1998, we started a spatially accurate, GPS Receivers (PLGRs). These units have been digital inventory of Yellowstone's thermal features, designeu ior dnxerent situations, so you need to i ne inventory mcruo.es an accurate point repre­ think about your application before you choose senting the feature; measurements of pH, tempera­ the correct GPS unit. ture, and conductivity; a digital photograph; the The ProX series units should be used when official name (if it exists); and a description. While you want to collect very accurate data (up to sub- we are out there, we also map all the trails and meter accuracy), with more than one attribute, for boardwalks in the thermal areas. Because this areas (i.e., wetlands), lines (i.e., trails or roads), information is stored as GIS layers in our data­ or points (i.e., archeological sites or thermal base, we can easily create a variety of maps features). This unit is worn in a fanny pack and (locations with photos, pH distribution, etc.) for includes a handheld datalogger and an antenna any of the areas listed below. During the summer that extends on a long pole above the user's head. of 1998,1,146 thermal features were inventoried. The GeoExplorer is a smaller, handheld unit Last summer an additional 1,557 features were good for collecting points, but less accurate than inventoried, for a total of 2,703 features so far. the ProX for collecting line and area data. This is Completed areas include Heart Lake Geyser the accepted standard in the greater Yellowstone Basin, Midway Geyser Basin, Shoshone Geyser area for collecting weed patch locations. Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, Amphitheater The PLGR is a handheld unit best used for Springs, Smoke Jumper Hot Springs, and the navigating to a known location (such as a research Mud Volcano area. Partially inventoried areas plot or an abandoned wildlife telemetry collar) or include Norris Geyser Basin (Back Basin, Porce­ collecting quick perimeter data. This unit has been lain Basin, large features in 100 Springs Plain), used to map fire perimeters and to relocate Gibbon Geyser Basin (Artists Paint Pots, Choco­ research plots. It is great for both navigation and late Pots, Monument Geyser Basin, Gibbon

10 Canyon), Lower Geyser Basin (Firehole Lake Buildings. Over the last year, we' ve created Group, Fountain Group, Kaleidoscope, Micro­ a GIS layer that inventories all the buildings in the cosm Basin, Pink Cone Group, Pocket Basin, park. This spatial database can be linked to Porcupine Hill Group, River Group, White Creek information from a variety of existing databases Group, White Dome Group), Upper Geyser Basin dealing with the management and maintenance of (Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin, Cascade buildings. Geo-referenced CADD drawings and Group, Chain Lake Complex, Daisy Group, paper maps from the Concessions and Mainte­ Geyser Hill Group, Grand Group, Grotto Group, nance divisions and the Cultural Resources branch Morning Glory Group, Old Road or Cascade provided primary building locations and footprints. Group, Round Spring Group, and Sawmill For building sites that were not included on Group), and West Thumb Geyser Basin (Potts CADD drawings, or where accurate paper maps Geyser Basin). did not exist, location information was obtained If this type of information sounds useful to using a GPS unit. A field survey was conducted you, give us a call at 344-2216 or -2247, and to ground truth all the data. If you' d like more we'll get it to you in a form you can use. information about this layer, please call us at 344- New Data Layers. In 1999 we put a lot of 2218 or-2216. time into creating new data layers and improving Watersheds. We finally have a good map of old ones. Following is a brief list of this new data: the park's watersheds. The layer was created Trails, Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry using stream and riverinformatio n from 1:24,000 Bridges. Three years ago David Karplus began USGS quad map data combined with 1 Om digital an extensive survey of the trail system in Yellow­ elevation models. The database actually includes stone. This summer, we inherited the project from the following hydrologic units: regions (very big him and continued to use accurate GPS units to divisions), sub-regions, basins, sub-basins (at least finish the work. This winter we will consult with 450,000 acres), watersheds (40,000 to 450,000 staff from each district to check all the maps, acres), sub-watersheds (10,000 to 40,000 acres), correct errors, and identify missing data. Very and micro-watersheds (less than 10,000 acres). soon, we will have accurate maps of all the trails The units are attributed with names and hydrologic (including ffontcountry boardwalks), campsite unit codes. These codes follow the system used locations, cabins, and backcountry bridges. The by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation bridge data includes information about bridge Service. We are working with Wyoming, Idaho, type, construction materials, size, and condition. and Montana to ensure seamless joining across For information about this data, please call us at boundaries. If you are interested in this data, give 344-2216 or-2215. us a call at 344-2216. Roads. A new GIS layer has been com­ pleted for all the motorized travel roads in Yellow­ stone. This includes main roads, service roads, and all the roads in developed areas. Each road segment is attributed with information such as name, speed limit, surface type, and use category. A field survey, using accurate GPS units, was conducted to ground truth each road segment. If you'd like more information about this layer, please call us at 344-2218 or -2216.

11 Rivers and Streams. This new layer was exclosures constructed between 1957 and 1962 created from 1:24,000 USGS quad map data. near Gardiner, Mammoth, Blacktail Plateau, We've attributed the data with official names and Tower, Trumpeter Lake, and Lamar. This in­ SONYEW numbers. The aquatic resources cludes the locations of photo points, permanent office uses SONYEW numbers as unique identifi­ plots (transects and quadrats), witness posts, ers for stream sections. These numbers will allow exclosure perimeters, and locations of tree clus­ us to tie the spatial layer to the huge amount of ters. This information was collected on-site using research and data collection done by these folks available maps and ProX series GPS units. over many years. If you have any questions about Because some permanent plots could not be this data, please call us at 344-2216 or -2247. located, this is not a complete inventory. Call Research Exclosures. This project includes 344-2216 for more information. all the spatial information regarding 10 research

ROCK SLIDE IN THE GARDINER RIVER CANYON Information from the Public Affairs Office

The North Entrance road was temporarily had separated and was leaning away fromth e cliff closed due to a rockslide in the Gardner River face close to where the slide occurred; the slab Canyon approximately 1 -3/4 miles south of and surrounding area appeared to be very un­ Gardiner, Montana, on Decem­ stable. Park staff climbed to ber 4. Park staff were in the the site and, after evaluation, area when the slide occurred placed explosive charges at the and immediately closed the base of the rock slab. The road. One vehicle sustained explosives were successful in minor damage, but there were moving the unstable rock. It no injuries. The slide covered took park staff several days to both traffic lanes, was approxi­ clear rock and rubble off the mately 40 feet in length and 5-7 roadway. feet in depth, with rocks esti­ A preliminary investigation mated at up to 4 feet square. indicates the rockslide could Debris and rock continued to have been caused by the recent fall onto the road. constant freezing/thawing Park staff consulted with geologists and temperature changes. No record of seismic other appropriate experts. The decision was activity in the Mammoth area was recorded for made to use explosives to remove a large frac­ December 4. Critical and emergency traffic was tured slab of rock, approximately 6-10 yards long temporarily routed on the Old Gardiner Road. with a potential weight of close to 400 tons, which

12 NEWSBRIEFS

Wildlife near the area where he had initially been con­ tacted; the bull elk appeared to have been shot by On August 14,1999, Gregory G. Snyder four arrows. arrived at Lake Hospital reporting a possible bat Jones was sentenced to 90 days in jail with bite that occurred in the Fishing Bridge village 60 days suspended, ordered to pay $3,260 parking lot. The bat flew into Snyder while he restitution to the park, and placed on supervised was exiting his vehicle. Snyder felt the bat on his probation for three years. During his probation, leg before he reached down to the pavement and he is prohibited from entering Yellowstone. grabbed it. He placed the bat in a plastic coffee container and drove to Lake Hospital, as he was • A reward of up to $500 is being offered for concerned about being exposed to rabies. There information leading to the arrest and conviction of was a break in the skin on his left calf, but he was the person or persons responsible for illegally not sure what caused it. He had been hiking killing a cow elk on the west side of the park earlier in the sometime before November 27,1999. Park day and may rangers discovered the elk carcass near milepost have rubbed 24 on U.S. Highway 191 on Saturday, Novem­ against something. ber 27,1999, and The bat was destroyed, believe it was packaged, and refrigerated for killed several transport to Mammoth and then days earlier. A to a lab in Bozeman, Montana. preliminary investigation indicates the animal was • David H. Jones, 23 years old, of likely shot from the highway during the night. Ketchum, Idaho, pled guilty on September 27, Individuals with information on this incident should 1999, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. contact park headquarters at (307) 344-2120. Cole in Marnmoth to three charges: illegal hunting All information is confidential and individuals are and killing of a wild animal; possession of an illegal not required to give their name. weapon; and interference with a law enforcement officer. Shortly after 6 p.m. on September 25, an Fish off-duty park ranger discovered Jones in the woods near Norris Junction with a bow and • Fisheries biologists have discovered cutthroat quiver of arrows. The ranger contacted Jones and trout infected with whirling disease in a second instructed him to return to the roadway with him. tributary of Yellowstone Lake, indicating that the Upon their arrival at the roadway, Jones got into a disease is spreading within the lake. In early private vehicle—against the instruction of the 1999, three or four mature cutthroat trout taken ranger—and fled the scene. The ranger notified from Bridge Creek (which flows into Yellowstone the park's Communication Center, and Jones was Lake at Bridge Bay) tested positive for the apprehended and arrested by park rangers in the parasite that causes whirling disease. In 1998, Madison area. Jones' bow, arrows, and other biologists first detected whirling disease in cut­ hunting equipment were confiscated. An investi­ throats caught in Yellowstone Lake at the mouth gation determined that Jones had killed a bull elk of Clear Creek, about 10 miles away and across

13 the main body of the lake from Bridge Creek. Birds Yellowstone fish are not yet visibly crippled by the parasite. The fishtha t have tested positive are On December 19,1999, Yellowstone hosted adults that seem to have survived the onset of the its 26th annual Christmas Bird Count. Partici­ disease without serious harm. It could be that pants are among a cadre of 50,000 volunteers predators consume crippled fish, but there have from a broad geographic area including all 50 been no declines in the number of cutthroats in states, every Canadian province, parts of Central spawning tributaries of Yellowstone Lake. Possi­ and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies, bly some Yellowstone cutthroat are resistant to or and many of the Pacific Islands. tolerant of whirling disease, or the disease is This year marks the 100th anniversary of the present in Yellowstone at very low levels. National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. The count originated in New York as a protest to • Based on catch and mortality rates, about the traditional holiday "side hunt" in which teams 30,000 lake trout were in Yellowstone Lake in competed to see who could shoot the most birds 1996 when gillnettting began in earnest after an and mammals in one day. A group of 27 con­ apparent illegal plant established a population. cerned birdwatchers decided to protest the About half of that number have since been re­ traditional bird shoot by counting birds rather than moved, and the program appears to be making a shooting them. The Christmas Bird Count, no dent in the population. In 1998, crews caught longer a protest event, is now about 7,000 juvenile lake trout, while in 1999 they a social birding event sched­ caught a little over half as many with the same uled around the Christmas amount of effort, simply because there aren't as holiday season, and can occur many fish out there. They also caught fewer large on any day from December fish. The netting is catching virtually all lake trout 16 through January 3. that reach spawning grounds in the West Thumb The Yellowstone Christ­ region of Yellowstone Lake, effectively keeping mas Bird Count tallies birds them from spawning in any large numbers. But the found in the Mammoth, netting may have to continue indefinitely, and at Wyoming/Gardiner, Montana great expense. It's unlikely the netting program area. For the results of this will ever completely extermrnate lake trout from year's count, contact Terry McEneaney at Yellowstone Lake, and only a perpetual netting 344-2222. campaign will keep numbers in check. Lake trout prey on Yellowstone cutthroat, • The peregrine falcon was removed from which are the base of the area food chain. Eagles, the endangered species list on August 20,1999. grizzly bears, and other animals depend on feeding In announcing the decision, the U.S. Fish and on cutthroat when they spawn in tributary streams. Wildlife Service noted one of the most dramatic Lake trout eat cutthroat, but do not replace them success stories of the Endangered Species Act. in the food chain because lake trout spawn in the Peregrines once ranged from the subarctic boreal depths of the lake. forests of Canada to Mexico, and even today The NPS has approved an additional migrate to Latin and South America for the winter. $ 150,000 per year for four years for a new A massive population decline was attributed commercial-grade fishing boat and crew dedi­ largely to the use of DDT and other pesticides cated to lake trout control. This will double the earlier in this century. The falcon, which can dive park's current expenditure on lake trout control. at speeds of 200 mph, was listed as endangered in

14 1970, and in 1975 only 324 nesting pairs were Other found in North America. In Yellowstone and other locations across the continent, efforts to ban Citations were issued in September to four DDT and, subsequently, to restore captive-bom individuals after an investigation documented peregrines resulted in the species' remarkable improper food storage and human waste recovery. Currently there are at least 1,650 disposal at several backcountry campsites where breeding pairs of birds in the U.S. and Canada. the group stayed in the Canyon area. Each Although no longer endangered, peregrine falcons, citation carries a $ 100 fine, for a total of $800 their eggs, parts, and nests will continue to be (each individual received two citations—one for protected from unauthorized killing, possession, improper food storage, one for improper human transportation, and importation by the Migratory waste disposal). Bird Treaty Act. The species will be monitored The violations were discovered after another across the nation for the next 13 years to provide individual, who stayed in two of the campsites data on at least 2 generations of peregrines and used by the four offenders, notified park rangers ensure that the bird is doing well after delisting. that the previous occupants had left large amounts of trash (aluminum foil, burnt cans, candy wrap­ • The scavenged carcass of ultralight whoop­ pers) in the firering s at both campsites, along with ing crane #35 was recovered in late August. The some personal property. At one of the campsites, bird had apparently been summering in the north­ the individual also found numerous piles of human east comer of Utah north of Randolph in Rich waste, along with large amounts of toilet paper, County. There is no information on possible cause within 25 feet of a water source. Park regulations of death. This whooping crane was part of Kent require that all human waste be buried, 6-8 inches Clegg's ultralight experiment in the fall of 1997. It deep, at least 100 feet from all water sources; all was attacked by an eagle in Colorado on its flight toilet paper must either be burned in the desig­ south, was stitched up by a vet, and trucked the nated fire ring or, if fires are not allowed, packed rest of the way to New Mexico. It was released out with the trash. The individual was able to at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge provide park staff with pictures and other docu­ upon arrival. It survived the 1997-98 winter and mentation. migrated north to the border of Colorado/Wyo­ Canyon backcountry rangers investigated ming where it was captured by Kent Clegg and and found that the previous occupants had also transported to Yellowstone on May 1,1998. It stayed at two other Canyon area backcountry migrated back to Bosque del Apache where it campsites. In checking with the parties that next spent the 1998-99 winter. The two remaining used those sites, it was confirmed that they found ultralight whoopers started the spring 1999 the campsites in the same condition—large migration from Bosque on March 12. The last amounts of trash left in information on this bird was a sighting of the two the fire rings. One of ultralight whoopers together April 11 nearHeber the individuals was able City, Utah. The one surviving ultralight whooping to provide park staff crane moved on to the Arbon Valley, Idaho, on with pictures and other May 16, and then summered west of Grays Lake. documentation of a The three remaining whooping cranes in the campsite. Rocky Mountains are two cross-fostered birds Park investigators from 1982 and 1984, one ultralight bird from then contacted the four 1997, and one whooper-sandhill hybrid. individuals. All four

15 admitted to staying at the campsites. They stated ranger responded to the area and saw two of the they tried to bum their trash but did not check the people digging in the area. The ranger contacted fire rings before they left the campsites. They also the third person at one of the two vehicles the admitted that they did not bury all human waste. group was travelling in. The investigation uncov­ A backcountry permit is required for all ered one bag of about one hundred small pieces overnight use of the Yellowstone backcountry and of petrified wood in one of the vehicles, and a must be obtained in person. At the time a permit large number of pieces of petrified wood in a small is issued, the permit holder is required to go backpack. Several other mineral specimens and through a short orientation that explains park fossils were also found in the car. One of the men regulations and guidelines for staying in the back- said he had taken pieces of travertine and geyser- country. The permit holder of this group received ite from one of the thermal areas earlier in the day the orientation and was iriformed of park regula­ but denied findingth e fossils and other minerals in tions on proper food storage and waste disposal. the park. All of the specimens were seized and Yellowstone follows the "Leave No Trace" will be returned to their natural state if possible. guidelines that help protect park visitors and Each individual was fined$750 , placed on three resources. Backcountry users are required to years probation, and prohibited from entering the pack out all unburned trash. Where fires are park for three years. permitted, campers are allowed to burn paper, organic material, or leftover foodstuffs, but are • A series of weapons violations occurred instructed to sift through ashes and remove all this fall in Yellowstone's backcountry. Carrying a unburned material; aluminum foil is not to be weapon (loaded or unloaded) in the backcountry burned. Proper food storage/disposal and waste of the park is illegal and can result in a court disposal will reduce odors that may attract bears. appearance and/or citation accompanied by fines. Leaving foods and other attractants where bears On August 5, a group of boy scouts from can get them is not only illegal, but also extremely Idaho on a camping trip to Shoshone Lake were dangerous for both bears and people. To leave cited for a weapons violation and several food campsites in the kind of condition these four storage violations. A backcountry park ranger individuals did created a safety hazard not only for during a routine contact, discovered food improp­ them but other backcountry users as well. erly stored at the scouts two campsites near Shoshone Lake. While investigating the obvious • Toby P. Brown (21 years old) and Katrina food violations, the ranger also discovered a 40- M. Usher (19 years old) of Upton, Massachu­ caliber Glock handgun and ammunition in a setts, and Andrew S. Trick (19 years old) of backpack. The group was assisted from the Beaver Creek, Ohio, pled guilty on October 13, backcountry and issued several citations. 1999, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. On August 8, also at Shoshone Lake, four Cole in Mammoth Hot Springs, to the charge of campers from Utah were discovered camping removing natural features from the park. The illegally. During a contact by a park ranger, it was persons had dug up and collected over 150 pieces also discovered that the group had improperly of petrified wood around the Petrified Tree, about stored food, had planned to use wheeled carts to three miles west of Tower Junction. move their canoes, were in violation of their On October 8, Tower rangers received two boating permit due to unsafe boating practices; reports from park visitors of two men and one and were carrying two weapons (a hunting-type woman digging in the ground with a screwdriver compound bow and a Marlin .30-.30 rifle). They on the slope above the petrified tree. A park will be required to appear in court.

16 In yet a third incident, rangers were notified by hikers that they had seen a group hiking on the DeLacy Creek Trail to Shoshone Lake with a 12- gauge shotgun. Rangers found the group from Utah camped illegally on the beach of the lake. all specified in the addendum to the company's Shawn Thomas Whiting, 21 years old, of West filming permit, which also contained a map of the Jordan, Utah, appeared in U.S. District Court on restricted area. On October 20, a law enforce­ August 25,1999, and pled guilty to several ment ranger spotted the crew about a half-mile charges: carrying a weapon, camping without a off-road in the restricted area where bison heli­ backcountry permit, improper food storage, copter operations were taking place. Hrubesky possession of an illegal firearm, and disorderly was fined and his filming permit was revoked for conduct. Whiting was fined $275 and placed on violation of its terms and conditions. The park will one year's probation. deny all future filmingpermit s to Pulse Communi­ cations, or any representative thereof, for a Mark Hrubesky of Pulse Communications probationary period of three years. contacted the park this fail to obtain a permit to film grizzly collaring and bison helicopter net- • A new book published by Yale University gunning operations in the park for a documentary. Press showcases a number of Yellowstone Center After careful consideration, the permit was denied for Resources staff members. It is Tim W. Clark, due to safety concerns and potential detriment to A. Peyton Curlee, et al., Carnivores in Ecosys­ these research projects. Park staff agreed, tems: The Yellowstone Experience (New however, to allow Hrubesky to mount a remote Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1999). camera on the helicopter during the net-gunning The book includes chapters on the history of operations and to filmth e ground darting of bison Yellowstone carnivores by Paul Schullery and Lee that was also taking place at the same time. Whittlesey, Yellowstone bears by Richard Knight Although Hrubesky was told the specifics of these and Paul Schullery, cougars by Kerry Murphy, provisions on several occasions prior to the wolves by Doug Smith and Wayne Brewster, and company's arrival in the park, Hrubesky ignored wildfire and predation by John Mack. them and chartered a helicopter with the intent of filming the net-gurining operations. This was • Two Yellowstone employees recently re­ discovered and prevented when the helicopter ceived prestigious NPS awards. Tim Hudson, pilot contacted the park to ensure that he had the Chief of Maintenance, received the Director's proper permits. When Hrubesky arrived with Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Stew­ members of his crew, he met with public affairs ardship through Maintenance for 1999. Hudson staff to obtain the filmingpermi t and acted sur­ has been iristrumental in implementing a wide prised when informed that he wouldn't be allowed variety of sustainability improvement projects access to the helicopter net-gunning operations. under the banner, the "Greening of Yellowstone." Hrubesky proved to be very difficult to deal with Projects include recycling, composting, use of during the application process, refusing to accept cleaner fuels and lubricants, and use of less toxic the terms and conditions established in the permit. cleaning materials. He has worked closely with He was again expressly told that neither he nor his other federal, state, and local governments and crew members were to fly over or enter any areas private entities in the greater Yellowstone area to on foot or by any other means where bison explore and implement more environmentally- helicopter operations were taking place. This was friendly methods for conducting business.

17 Mona Divine, Assistant Chief Ranger, Roffe is exploring the potential for eradicating received the Harry Yount Award for the Inter- brucellosis in wild elk and bison through a vaccine. mountain Region. The award honors those "Tom Roffe designed and helped implement rangers who have demonstrated an overall excel­ some of the first statistically valid experiments to lence in service and leadership abilities, excelled in determine both the effectiveness and safety of traditional ranger duties and skills, and are dedi­ cattle brucellosis vaccines in elk and bison," said cated to the ranger profession and the National Dr. Chip Groat, Director of the U.S. Geological Park Service. Mrs. Divine was selected for the Survey. Groat said that "solid and sound" infor­ award because of her accomplishments in the field mation resulting in more accurate wildlife disease of traditional as well as modem ranger skills, her transmission models is the result of Roffe's other dedication to resource protection, and for the research, done in collaboration with other agen­ inspiration and guidance she provides to park staff cies, on how brucellosis originates and develops, and the public in her daily conduct. as well as on the epidemiology of the disease in free-ranging bison—that is, the incidence, distribu­ • U.S. Geological Survey scientist Dr. Thomas tion and factors related to disease in a population. J. Roffe recently received the Department of the Before Roffe's research, scientists had to use less Interior's Superior Service reliable cattle data to model how the disease might Award during a recent meeting work in free-ranging bison. of the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis • Yellowstone held the fifthi n a series of Committee. Roffe's leader­ conferences, designed to encourage the aware­ ship of the DOI's brucellosis ness and application of scientific work in the research program since 1995 greater Yellowstone area, October 11-13,1999, resulted in a long-needed, dedicated at Mammoth Hot Springs. The theme of this program focused on resolving the issue of brucel­ year's conference was Exotic Organisms in losis in greater Yellowstone area wildlife. Greater Yellowstone: Native Biodiversity Bison and elk in 27 separate herd units in the Under Siege. greater Yellowstone area are affected by brucello­ Greater Yellowstone has been subjected to sis, a disease that can cause cattle and wildlife to the intentional and accidental introduction of abort their first calves following infection. The species spread by humans, and their effects on issue has national and international significance native species can range from being economically because of expensive brucellosis eradication beneficial to biologically benign or highly disrup­ programs in the U.S. and many other countries. tive. Dozens of scholarly presentations addressed After millions of dollars of research since 1934, non-native species such as lake trout, whirling the nation is now on the verge of completing disease, New Zealand mud snails, white pine brucellosis eradication in cattle. blister rust, brucellosis, and invasive plants and Soon, elk, and bison in greater Yellowstone how to manage their effects on Yellowstone will be the only reservoir for potential re-infection cutthroat trout, grizzly bears, and other native of livestock. Consequently, states and countries plant and animal communities. that have successfully eradicated the disease may The conference opened with a workshop require extensive testing or forbid import of cattle entitled Mountain Goats: Charismatic Transplant from Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Controlling or Natural Invader? Featured panelists include and eliminating a disease in free-ranging wildlife Bruce Smith from the National Elk Refuge in distributed over an immense area will not be easy. Jackson, Wyoming; Cat Hoffman, Chief of

18 Natural Resources for Olympic National Park; improving the outstanding recreational and educa­ Tom Lemke, biologist with the Montana Depart­ tional experiences embraced by visitors. The plan ment of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and Paul calls for substantially increasing the role of science Schullery, historian and author from Yellowstone in decision-making, revitalizing and expanding National Park. The opening keynote speech was natural resource programs, gathering baseline data given by Dan Simberloff, Scientific Advisor to the on resource conditions, strengthening partnerships President's Executive Council on Invasive Spe­ with the scientific community, and sharing knowl­ cies. Other featured speakers included Daniel edge with educational institutions and the public. Botkin from the University of Cahfornia at Santa It addresses habitat protection for endangered and Barbara, author of Discordant Harmonies: A native species, targeting non-native species for New Ecology for the 21st Century and Passage removal, inventorying natural resources and of Discovery: American Rivers' Guidebook to monitoring their condition, monitoring air and the Missouri River of Lewis and Clark, who water quality, collaborating with other natural presented the Superintendent's International resource experts, and using parks as scientific Luncheon Lecture; Holmes Rolston, author of laboratories and classrooms. Environmental Ethics and Conserving Natural Specific actions to be taken immediately Value, who presented the Aubrey Haines Lun­ include implementing an environmental leadership cheon Lecture; and Barry Noon, a systems program to reduce the impact of park operations ecologist from Colorado State University, who on the natural environment, implementing a new gave the A. Starker Leopold Lecture. and uniform scientific research and collecting permit process, merging resource preservation On August 12,1999, NPS Director Robert into mainstream park planning, and establishing a Stanton announced a major effort to substan­ Sabbatical-in-Parks program for visiting scientists. tially improve how the NPS manages its The President's FY 2000 budget includes natural resources. The Natural Resource nearly $20 million in increases that would help Challenge: The National Park Service's Action complete natural resource inventories so that park Plan for Preserving Natural Resources ad­ managers have critical baseline data available for dresses the challenges of caring for our country's informed decision making and increase funding for natural heritage within the complexities of today's large-scale preservation projects, restoration of modem landscapes. threatened and endangered species and restora­ NPS Historian Richard West Sellars' 1997 tion of areas damaged due to human disturbance. Preserving Nature in the National Parks: A Future budget requests will increase park base- History brought attention to the challenges threat­ funding, expand the air quality monitoring net­ ening natural resource preservation, such as urban work, establish water quality monitoring stations in development, habitat destruction, non-native 75 park units, and enhance capabilities to prevent species invasions, and air and water pollution— and prosecute resource crimes such as poaching. things that could not have been imagined by the early pioneers of the NPS—and inspired the • Mike Finley was involved with a winter use Service to develop this renewed commitment to conference call with Grand Teton Superintendent, preserving America's natural heritage. Jack Neckels, along with Assistant Secretary, The five-year strategic action plan empha­ Don Barry of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and others sizes that the NPS will make resource preserva­ discussing snowmobile use in park areas. tion and conservation an integral consideration in Twenty-eight other parks have snowmobile use all management actions, while maintaining if not and an analysis on regulations and liability has

19 never been done. There will be a summit with erupting once every 13 3/4 hours. The biggest these other parks and Yellowstone/Grand Teton to change is next, as both Beauty and Chromatic determine just what the impacts and liabilities are, are about 6" or greater below overflow, and and what the definition of "natural values" actually along with a drop in the Economics and Wave, means. the area has cooled dramatically with very dark bacterial mats seen in all. Oblong chugs along with full pool eruptions as frequent as every four Thermal hours, and Giant sits there. The average interval on Daisy is now over two hours, and no sign of • Old Faithful is still a very regular geyser, with Splendid. Grotto has recently had a marathon only three short intervals and three over 100 duration of about 20 hours, with 9 marathons in minutes between October 24 and 27. Beehive is 20 days and up to 6 regular eruptions between back on track at 13-18 hours, and the indicator is marathons. Norris pool and Spiteful have had not aberrant. Nothing else striking on Geyser Hill. long periods of inactivity. Nothing from Fan and Castle is extremely regular, and Tilt is back to Mortar or "Victory" has been noted. Black having non-eruption events. Sawmill is very much Sand, Biscuit, and Midway are much the same. in charge, with two eruptions of Penta in the last The Pink Cone area remains much the same, as month. After a dip in its interval down to 8 1/2 does Fountain with its great regularity and hours at the end of September, Grand has re­ impressive bursts. turned to intervals of just under 12 hours. Rift is

NEWSBRIEFS FROM CULTURAL RESOURCES By Laura Joss

Dr. Ann Johnson has joined our staff as the sentatives from the Nez Perce tribe and park's permanent Archeologist. Ann was duty Yellowstone's ranger and cultural resources stationed at Yellowstone from the Rocky Moun­ programs rode a segment of the Nez Perce tain System Office in 1997 and National Historic Trail that runs through Pelican made herself indispensable! Valley. During the ride the tribal members told She will continue to be the family stories about the 1877 flight of the Nez park's primary coordinator Perce, and park staff shared information about for archeology, and the trail's location through Yellowstone. oversee ongoing Na­ On October 18,1999, Stan Hoggatt, Nez tional Register inventory Perce National Historic Trail historian and and evaluation of the outfitter presented the "Nez Perce Triumph at park's archeological Clark's Fork Canyon" science seminar at the resources. park. Stan has extensively researched the Nez Perce Na­ location of the Nez Perce trail on the east side of tional Historic Trail. the park, and presented a great deal of new On July 24,1999, repre­ information.

20 American Indian Government-to-Gov- partnering projects include linked websites; joint ernment Consultation meetings were held at museum displays; shared conservation services; Yellowstone October 6-7,1999. Consultations disaster response plans; brochures; traveling were held for the Draft Environmental Impact exhibits; and educational programs for the national Statement (EIS) for the Interagency Bison and international visitor to learn about and become Management Plan for the State of Montana more aware of the significance of the greater and Yellowstone National and the Draft Winter Yellowstone area. Planning also continues for new Use Plan/EISfor Yellowstone and Grand Teton collection storage facilities for many of the part­ National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, ners. The group spends time at each meeting Jr., Memorial Parkway. Over 80 tribes from discussing building blueprints, floorplans, and other across the country have expressed concern about facility plans to ensure that efforts among our the park's bison herd, and all were invited to send members are not duplicated. designated representatives to the meeting. Twelve Heritage and Research Center. The representatives from nine tribes and tribal organi­ planning process for a museum and archival zations attended, coming from as far away as collection storage facility at Yellowstone continues. Wisconsin. The Intertribal Bison Cooperative, In May, a Choosing By Advantage exercise was which represents almost 50 tribes, presented a held, and examined current sites under consider­ consolidated tribal position on the bison issue. ation. At the conclusion of the exercise, four sites The park has offered to hold a Winter Use EIS in Mammoth and Gardiner (NPS land) were rated on-site consultation at the park during the winter most highly. These sites will all be included in the season, and will continue to hold future Bison EIS environmental assessment for the project. Other and Winter Use EIS consultation meetings twice a planning this winter will include the production of a year. A community dinner was held to welcome comparability study using program information the tribal representatives. Many tribal members from recent NPS and outside museum construc­ took the opportunity to explain the personal tion projects. Current site information, program connections they have to bison, and the impor­ needs and square footage estimates will be tance of bison to their tribes. Tribes historically reviewed by a curatorial team at the park in affiliated to the park (Blackfeet, Confederated January 2000. The team will consist of represen­ Salish and Kootenai, Crow, Eastern Shoshone, tatives from the Rocky Mountain Support Office, Gros Ventre and Assiniboine, Kiowa, Lakota/ the National Capitol regional curator, a Sioux, Nez Perce, Northern Arapaho, Northern Smithsonian Institution program manager, private Cheyenne, and Shoshone-Bannock) were invited architects and a museum consultant. A value to discuss current issues and projects. These analysis for the project will be held in spring 2000. included updates fromplanning , cultural resources, Paleontology. Paleontologist Bill Wall and and firemanagement , and a special focus session his Georgia College fieldcre w continued their on diversity recruitment efforts. paleontological survey of Yellowstone July 4-11, Yellowstone Museum Partnership. This 1999, with the assistance of cultural resources group of 18 museums, historical societies, preser­ technician Elaine Hale, Dirring the week of August vation agencies, and national parks representing 2-6,1999, numerous cultural resources branch the greater Yellowstone ecosystem continues to staff joined paleontology volunteer Lisa Wernick meet quarterly to share partnering ideas. At the on surveys of known and potential fossil sites in group's fifthmeetin g October 22,1999, at Yel­ the northern part of the park. Nancy Ward, Elaine lowstone, the group agreed on an informal organi­ Hale, Susan Kraft, Kara Mills, Jon Dahlheim, and zational structure and vision statement Ongoing geology volunteer Bill Moore all participated in

21 these surveys that produced many new finds, Two private groups proposed to interview particularly of fossil leaves. members of American Indian tribes affiliated to In August 1999, Laura Joss, Elaine Hale, Yellowstone in 1999. Ehnamani, led by Crow/ Ann Rodman, Colette Daigle-Berg, and Kara Santee Scott Frazier and Ojibwe John Potter Mills were led by mountain lion researcher Craig planned to work with Crow historian Lawrence Whitman on a grueling hike to survey a portion of Flatlip to gather Crow oral histories about the the upper reaches of Mt. Homaday. Matt Smith, park and potential ethnographic site information. director of the Natural History Exhibit Hall in The Idaho Mythweaver group planned to work Livingston, joined the group to provide paleonto- with high school students on the Nez Perce, logical expertise. The group hoped to find addi­ Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Shoshone- tional remains of the tentatively identified Bannock, and Crow reservations. The group Titanothere jawbone fragments that Craig had trained students in oral interview techniques, which found in 1998. This rhinocerous-like dinosaur they will use to interview their elder family mem­ lived in the area during the late Eocene period 37- bers. This information will be presented to the 50 million years ago. While the group found some park for use in interpretive programs and exhibits. petrified tree segments, only a few tiny fragments It will also provide important ethnographic re­ thought to be from the Titanothere were found. source information for the park's cultural re­ Elaine Hale is cataloging the 1999 fossil finds. sources program and archives on place names and Oral History Projects. Three oral history past tribal uses of the park. projects were undertaken in 1999. Cultural Historic Structures Inventory. The three- resources assistants Charissa Reid and Sally year parkwide inventory of Yellowstone's historic Plumb will continue a Fee Demo-funded project buildings is drawing to a close. In November, the to interview important figuresi n the park's man­ consultant delivered individual inventory forms and agement of natural resources. Their 1998 project photographs of the park's historic buildings. The resulted in 12 interviews, and they hoped to forms will enable cultural resource staff to quickly interview 15 individuals in 1999. Yellowstone's retrieve information on the current and recom­ former chief biologist, Glen Cole, a pioneer of mended National Register status of most buildings. natural regulation in the NPS, was able to attend As time permits, consensus determinations of the Fifth Biennial Scientific Conference and was eligibility will be sought from the appropriate State interviewed twice during his visit. Historic Preservation Officers.

FORMER YELLOWSTONE RESEARCHERS HONORED FOR NEW BOOK Information from the Public Affairs Office

Two former Yellowstone scientists, Dr. Mary Yellowstone and the Biology of Time was Meagher and Dr. Douglas Houston, have won the chosen as the best illustrated book on the history prestigious Joan Paterson Kerr Award for their of the American West for 1999. book, Yellowstone and the Biology of Time. By analyzing 100 sets of comparative The award was announced at the Western History photographs, Yellowstone and the Biology of Association's annual meeting in early October. Time reveals the dynamic nature of Yellowstone's

22 changing landscape. "Never before has the public Dr. Meagher began her long association with had this opportunity to clearly see Yellowstone's Yellowstone in 1959 and held a variety of re­ ecological processes in action over the long haul," search-related positions, including several years as said YNP Superintendent Michael Finley. "This chief biologist. She retired in 1997 as research book is a milestone in our efforts to understand biologist for the Midcontinent Ecological Science where this wild setting has been and where it's Center, National Biological Service (now the going." The photographic sets are followed by an Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geo­ extended narrative describing the geology, soils, logical Survey), Yellowstone National Park. and vegetation of the park, as well as a discussion During her career in Yellowstone, her specialty of "the agents of change" that shape today's wild was large mammal ecology, with an emphasis on Yellowstone: climate, fire, wildlife, humans, and bison, about which she published many technical other forces still active in the park. papers and articles. Most of the photo sets contain three pictures, Following a research project on the Shiras with many of the original views dating as far back moose in Jackson Hole, Dr. Douglas B. Houston as the 1870s and 1880s, including a number of studied ungulates in northern Yellowstone from images by the well-known early Yellowstone 1970 to 1980. He is also author of the award- photographers William Henry Jackson and F.J. winning book, The Northern Yellowstone Elk: Haynes. After locating the earliest available Ecology and Management (1982). He retired in images of each area of the park, Drs. Meagher 1997 as research scientist for the National Bio­ and Houston rephotographed the same locations logical Service at Olympic National Park, where in the 1970s, after the 1988 fires, and in some he studied mountain goats, salmon, and other cases in the 1990s. They then studied the photo­ ecological topics. graphs to note long-term changes in vegetation The Joan Paterson Kerr Award was estab­ and other features. Superintendent Finley notes, lished in 1992 by Chester Kerr in honor of his "This is a fascinating and important piece of wife. The biennial award was originally estab­ scholarship. This remarkable book is an invalu­ lished to recognize the best-illustrated book for a able resource to park management and scientists, university press; last year that changed to include providing insightful data on changes—or the lack all presses. Yellowstone and the Biology of of change—to the park's flora and fauna, and Time was printed by the University of Oklahoma even to the geology." Press in 1998.

THREE YELLOWSTONE MUSEUMS AT RISK By Lon Johnson

The Secretary of the Interior included three included in the list because Yellowstone buildings in his "America's Land­ they exhibit potentially serious marks at Risk" annual report to the U.S. Con­ damage or may become seriously threatened. In gress. The Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge the case of the museums, the report cited physical museums were added to the National Historic deterioration stemming from weather and deferred Landmarks "1998 Watch List." Landmarks are maintenance, extensive rodent problems, and

23 thermal activity at Norris. The report recom­ National historic landmarks, a step above the mended that the park prepare condition assess­ more familiar National Register of Historic Places ments to better understand the buildings' needs. listing, have exceptional value in illustrating or Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge muse­ interpreting the heritage of the U.S. in history, ums were designated national historic landmarks in architecture, technology, and culture. Besides the 1987. The designation recognized the museums three museums, Yellowstone's other national as the best examples of Rustic Style buildings in historic landmarks are the Old Faithful Inn, the the National Park System. Designed by architect Northeast Entrance Station, and Obsidian Cliff. Herbert Maier in 1929, the Laura Spelman The Cultural Resources branch of the Rockefeller Foundation funded their construction Yellowstone Center for Resources is preparing through the American Association of Museums. text for an interpretive brochure to explain the The museums served as models for hundreds of significance of the buildings to visitors. Funding buildings constructed throughout the nation, sources to rehabilitate the buildings are being especially for projects under the auspices of New investigated and pursued. Deal programs of the 1930s.

BEAR INCIDENTS Information from the Public Affairs Office

On August 27, in the first bear incident of the season in the park, a visitor was injured by a bear on the Skyrim Trail to Bighorn Peak in the north­ west area of the park. A friend of the visitor notified park officials of the encounter. At mid­ day, a male hiker from Switzerland and a female hiker from New York were hiking towards Bighorn Peak when they heard a moan­ ing noise. Unsure what the sound was, and thinking the noise was farther away, they continued their hike. They had only taken a few steps when they saw a bear (by their description, probably a grizzly) approximately 10 yards away on a slope to the left of the trail. The woman stepped away from the bear and quickly dropped down on her lower legs into a ball position; the bear charged the woman, huffed a few times, but did not touch or harm her.

24 At the same time, the male hiker stepped The park received several calls reporting the uphill in the direction the bear was first spotted. incident at around four-thirty. Park staff immedi­ He was approached, but not touched, by two ately responded to the area and provided emer­ yearlings. The male hiker deployed his pepper gency medical care. The man was stabilized and spray (he was unsure whether the spray hit the life flightedt o the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical young bears), and the adult bear immediately Center, at Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he underwent turned away from the woman and charged toward several hours of surgery. No management action the male hiker. The hiker continued to spray, was taken against the female grizzly bear, which falling on his back in the process, but the bear did was displaying natural protective behavior when not touch him. Thinking the adult bear was going Mr. Langley came between her and her cubs. to attack, the man raised his leg for protection. A 180-pound subadult (2- or 3-year-old) The bear swatted his leg, inflicting two gashes and male grizzly bear that had been frequentingth e other minor injuries. The adult bear then sniffed at Indian Creek Campground and damaging personal the cloud of spray, retreated, but immediately property (tents) was successfully trapped close to returned. The two hikers—now out of pepper the campground on the evening of August 22. The spray—remained on the ground, very still, until all male grizzly bear first came to the attention of park three bears left. staff on June 28 when it entered the Indian Creek Although the hikers had met a park ranger Campground, brushed against a couple of tents, patrolling the area on horseback shortly before and damaged a third; no one was injured, and the their incident, they chose to return to the trailhead bear did not obtain any human food. Park staff and drive to Bozeman, Montana, for medical set up two traps in the area but removed them treatment. after three days when no bear was caught. In the second bear incident in the park this On July 9, the male grizzly again entered season, George Terry Langley, Jr., a 32-year-old Indian Creek Campground and damaged another from Seattle, Washington, was mauled by a female two tents. Again, no one was injured, and there grizzly bear while hiking alone on the Black Butte was no evidence that the bear obtained any human Trail on September 22,1999, in the early after­ foods, other than what it may have obtained from noon. Mr. Langley was hiking in a heavily for­ digging through firepits . Trapping operations ested, whitebark pine (whitebark pine nuts are an were initiated for five days, and a potential suspect important fall food source for grizzly bears) area bear—a subadult female—was captured, radio enroute to a campsite where he planned to spend collared, and relocated out of the area. It was the night. About four miles fromth e trailhead, he later determined the female bear was not involved noted two grizzly bear cubs alongside the trail. He in any of the incidents (tracking data showed the moved to the other side of the trail to avoid the female grizzly was in another location at the time of cubs and was immediately charged and knocked the incidents). down by the adult female grizzly bear; it is unclear On July 18, two subadult grizzly bears whether Mr. Langley saw the adult bear before the entered Indian Creek Campground. While one attack occurred. The adult bear bit or clawed Mr. bear remained at the edge of the campground, the Langley, breaking his orbital bone and inflicting second entered a campsite and bounced on a tent, injuries to the left side of his face and the back of breaking the poles, rippingth e fabric, and crushing his scalp and right rib area. Once the bear left the the tent. Traps were again set for a period of area, Mr. Langley was able to walk out to the seven days, but no bears were caught. At that trailhead where he was able to get assistance from point, Indian Creek Campground was temporarily passing motorists. designated for hard-sided camping units only.

25 On the evening of August 17, a group of bear stepped on, tore, and crushed the tent, and people were camping in the backcountry at a site then entered the trap. While the animal was about seven miles from Indian Creek when a bear caught weeks after his last alleged offense, there is entered their campsite and began sniffing and little doubt that the subadult bear is the guilty pawing at their tent, bending and damaging the offender. DNA testing done at the University of poles. The group spent the night around their Idaho on bear hair obtained from the incident sites campfire and left the next day. A short time later matches the DNA of the captured bear. The on August 17, a single camper at a backcountry chance of a genotype match with any other grizzly campsite (less than one-half mile from the previous bear in the park was approximately 1 in 21,000; incident) was awakened by a bear outside his tent. the total grizzly bear population in the Yellowstone He was able to frighten the bear away, but de­ ecosystem is approximately 600 bears. cided to climb a tree nearby in case the bear The bear was deemed a danger to public returned. The bear did return and jumped on the safety as per 50 CFR 17.40 and was not consid­ tent, breaking the poles and tearing holes in the ered suitable for release back into the wild. The tent and ground tarp; there was no food in the bear was held in a commercial holding facility tent. The man spent the night in the tree, then while a search for a suitable public zoological hiked out the next morning and reported the institution to house it was conducted and, once incident. A bear trap was flown into the campsite found, until the necessary permits from the Califor­ and remained in place for three days; the trap was nia Game and Fish and U.S. Fish and Wildlife shut down when no bear was caught. Service were obtained. Staff from the Wildlife The bear was finally caught on August 22 Way Station of Sylmar, California, picked up the after a decoy tent was set up next to the trap. The bear on September 27.

Happy New Year!

The Buffalo Chip is the resource management newsletter for Yellowstone National Park. It is published periodically by the Yellowstone Center for Resources.

We welcome submissions of articles or drawings relating to natural and cultural resource management and research in the park. They can be sent to Yellowstone Center for Resources, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, (307) 344-2208.

Managing Editor Sue Consolo Murphy

Editor and Design Tami Blackford

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