RANGERS ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE STRICTEST SENSE OF THE DEFINITION (THEY DO NOT CARRY FIREARMS, NOR DO THEY HAVE THE POWER OF ARREST), THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN THE PARK AREAS, AND ARE OFTEN CALLED UPON TO APPROACH PARK VISITORS' AUTOMOBILES AND TO INVESTIGATE ABANDONED VEHICLES. ACCESS TO OLETS FOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD GREATLY ASSIST THE RANGERS IN DETERMINING IF A VEHICLE IS STOLEN, AND WOULD ENABLE A RANGER TO AVOID A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION PRIOR TO APPROACHING A VEHICLE.
THAT PORTION OF THE ARKANSAS OPINION WHICH OUTLINES THE RANGERS' DUTIES AND THE NEED FOR THIS INFORMATION IS PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL, AND THIS AUTHOR CONCURS WITH THE ANALYSIS THERE. IT IS, HOWEVER, UP TO THE NCIC, AND PERHAPS, THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO AN ORI. WE CANNOT ISSUE AN OPINION INTERPRETING THE APPLICATION OF FEDERAL LAW TO A FEDERAL AGENCY.
(A. DIANE BLALOCK)