Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, June 20, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY...EXCEPT PARTLY CLOUDY NEAR THE CREST WITH ISOLATED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20
PERCENT. SNOW LEVEL ABOVE 8000 FEET. HIGHS 87 TO 97 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...64
TO 74 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY NEAR THE CREST WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING. OTHERWISE MOSTLY CLEAR. CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT. SNOW LEVEL ABOVE 8000 FEET. LOWS 44 TO 54 IN
YOSEMITE VALLEY...32 TO 42 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SATURDAY...SUNNY...EXCEPT PARTLY CLOUDY NEAR THE CREST WITH ISOLATED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20
PERCENT. SNOW LEVEL ABOVE 8000 FEET. HIGHS 87 TO 97 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...64
TO 74 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. SNOW LEVEL ABOVE 8000 FEET. LOWS 43 TO 53
IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...30 TO 40 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
.SUNDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 82 TO 92 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...59 TO 69 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 41 TO 51 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...29 TO 39 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. HIGHS 79 TO 89 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...57 TO 67 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. East northeast wind
6 to 13 mph becoming west.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 52. West wind 7 to 14 mph becoming north.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. East northeast wind 5 to 15
mph becoming west southwest.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West wind 7 to 11 mph
becoming northeast.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. East northeast wind 5 to 13 mph
becoming west southwest.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/2008wrkbk.htm Follow the link to the new
2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook page. Available for viewing and download
are:
Tuolumne Planning Workbook
Tuolumne Planning Workbook Comment Form
Draft TRP ORV
Draft TRP Management Prescriptions
Agenda for Lee Vining Workshop - June 23, 2008
June 21 - PLANNER-FOR-A-DAY Workshop 10am-2pm
Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an update on the Tuolumne River
Plan. The NPS will unveil and discuss the range of draft alternatives
(including the preferred alternative), and give a preview of preliminary
concepts for actions being considered in Tuolumne Meadows. All of this will
be documented in the 2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook.
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Yosemite Campground Opening Update!
Crane Flat, White Wolf, Tuolumne Meadows, and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds
are scheduled to open for the season on Friday, June 20, 2008.
Tamarack Flat Campground will open for the season on Tuesday, June 24,
2008.
Porcupine Flat Campground will open for the season on July 3, 2008.
Bridalveil Creek Campground will tentatively open for the season on July 3,
2008. (M. Carter - 6/18/08)
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Yosemite National Park - Safety Awareness for Everyone
SAFETY WEEK ACTIVITIES
Monday - Friday – Safety & Health Hazard Hunt
• Who: All employees
• Where: Your work station or work area/environment
• How: Use the Safety Hazard Abatement Reporting Program S.H.A.R.P. See
the instructions on the safety website here:
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/incentive.htm
• Why: To help reduce safety & health hazards in your work area, (MOST
IMPORTANT).... AND...If reported through the SHARP process you will be
eligible for a limited edition safety coin
"Stand Down" to Stand Up for Saftey
Visit the safety website for materials to help you accomplish a productive
safety stand-down day. http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/default.htm
(R. Farmer - 6/16/08)
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Big Time Gathering: The local community and general public are invited to
attend the 35th annual Yosemite Indian Big Time being held June 21 & 22,
2008. This event takes place in the Village of Ahwahnee located behind the
Yosemite Museum and Visitor Center. The songs and dances of Native
Californian dance groups will be presented both days. Local vendors and
others will display/sell their arts and crafts in the employee parking area
across from the Village. As a request, employee and gov't vehicles need to
be moved from the employee parking
area by 5:30pm, Friday, June 20, 2008 to prepare for these activities. This
is a good opportunity to enjoy, learn and support the heritage
of Native Californian Peoples. (P. Johnson - 6/17/08)
New Today
TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT: Aviation for Supervisors and Managers (M3)
Tuesday June 24th - Admin Lobby
Lead by Shad Sitz - Park Aviation Officer - detailer from WASO
Required training for all division chiefs and superintendents and/or
actings to attend this training if your division uses aviation asets to
accomplish park missions. This training will be held on June 24th in the
Admin Lobby from 0900 - 1400. Please contact Kelly Martin at 372-0325 or
Shad Sitz at 372-0415 if you have any questions about the training. You
can register for this training at:
https://www.iat.gov/Training/Course_List.asp
Select M3
Select show classes - and register for the training being held at Yosemite
(K. Martin - 6/20/08)
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Wildland Firefighter Refresher Training - To date this season, the Fire
management Office has hosted 7 Wildland Firefighter Refresher Sessions. I
have been told that there still may be a few Red Carded Firefighters out
there that have not been able to attend. If this is the case, please let
me know if you or somebody who works for you, need this training. We are
trying to decide whether or not to host another session as fire season is
already upon us. Please let me know by 6/24. (D. Mills - 6/20/08)
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Mail File Template Upgrades.
ATTENTION! Replicating Mail Users
If you replicate your mail over dial-up, the maintenance and upgrades being
performed on the servers this weekend will impact you especially.
Our mail file templates will be upgraded to the new version. This will
result in replicating a 15mb change. This may show up on Monday as a
general network slow-down but on a dialup connection this replication
could take several hours.
There are some things that can be done to reduce the impact but they must
take place before COB on Friday. Please contact the IT Office for
instructions. You can call me, Rita McMurdy, at 379-1125 or the Helpdesk
at 379-1123. We will provide you with the upgrade template in advance and
explain what to expect between now and Monday.
If you are in El Portal or the another location with direct network
connectivity it will be worth the time (approximately 20 minutes) to check
in and get this taken care of. If you cannot contact this office before
COB on Friday you should not try to replicate before contacting the IT
Office. Disconnecting before replication is complete could result in a
corrupt Mail file. (R. McMurdy - 6/20/08)
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Arrow Glass is trying to find out if there are enough vehicles that are in
need of windshield/glass replacement or repairs so they can come up.
Please notify the Machine Shop at 379-1150 or call Sharon of Arrow Glass at
533-3700. (W. Tilley - 6/20/08)
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Contracting Office Closure - Please be advised that the Contracting and
Procurement office will be closed for internal administrative operations
every Wednesday beginning 25 June through the end of the fiscal year. If
you experience an unexpected, urgent situation, please contact Dan Sohn at
379-1173. (L. Schafer - 6/20/08)
Construction News
Ferguson Rockslide notice (Highway 140): June 24, 2008 - Expect a 6 hour
delay (road closure) between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.
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Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements
West Yosemite Village Utility Corridor
The National Park Service has contracted with Allison Sierra Inc. to
construct the West Yosemite Village Utility Corridor and to correct several
deficiencies in the sewer collection system in the Lost Arrow Housing and
Ranger Club areas. This work is necessary to replace deteriorated sewer
lines and to avoid sensitive resource areas. Work is expected to begin in
late June and may continue for up to 8 months. Every effort will be made
to minimize impacts to the residents as well as the school and day care
center. The contractor is limited to working between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No work is permitted on Federal
holidays or during Christmas week.
Areas of construction activity will include:
From the school basketball court east along the south side of the school
to the gap between the Day Care Center and Res.62 to Oak Lane then
South to the bike path.
From the teacherage garage (638) north of the school southeast to the
gap between the day Care Center and Res. 62.
The west side of Res.18.
The North, East and South sides of the storage building behind Res. 21.
From the Southeast corner of the Ranger Club to Northside Drive.
Residents of these areas are asked to avoid stacking wood or other goods in
areas slated for construction. The contractor is required to repair any
damage to patios, paths and roads. In an effort to minimize impacts to
trees and other features the contract calls for a great deal of trenchless
construction meaning they will be drilling many of the new lines into
place.
Please contact Jim Reynolds at 372-0437 or Glen Rothell at 372-0429 if you
have further questions about this project. (G. Rothell - 6/20/08)
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Reconstruct El Portal Road at the “narrows”
There will be construction activity causing delays at night which will
be coordinated with the Valley Loop Road project.
Guardwall staining is scheduled to begin on June 23rd and may cause
afternoon delays.
Final paving is delayed until electrical repairs are completed.
Tunnel View
Walkway and drainage work is underway in the lower end of the North lot.
Work will move to the South lot the week of June 30.
NPS Trails is completing the construction of the new Pohono Trailhead.
Proposals for the paving work are under review.
Replace Gas Chlorination Systems at 5 Utility Plants
Work at the Tuolumne Plant is expected to begin June 23rd.
Work at White Wolf as soon as containment pond is pumped down to
suitable level.
Work at the Hodgdon waste water treatment plant is underway. The plant
is now capable of automatic and or timed run. Plant is using liquid
chlorine.
Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvements (CIP 2)
Cleanup at North end of Lower Pines CG is ongoing.
Manhole collars, clean out pads and tracer wire box pads will be poured
Valleywide beginning on June 9th thru June 25th
Replacement of damaged sewer line on west side of the Ranger club will
begin on June 23rd. (G. Rothell - 6/20/08)
Park News
June 4, 2008
For Immediate Release
Yosemite National Park Announces the Public Comment Period for the Invasive
Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the integrity of
National Park Service lands. Non-native plants invade an estimated 4,600
acres of federal land in the United States every day, and already infest
millions of acres in the national parks. Fortunately, Yosemite National
Park is at the early stages of invasion. Unfortunately, 177 non-native
plant taxa have already established within Park borders, many with the
potential to spread rapidly.
The purpose of this Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
for Yosemite National Park is to evaluate a range of alternatives to
prevent the establishment and spread of invasive plants into uninfested
areas of the park, and quickly and effectively eradicate new infestations.
The public comment period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Assessment will open on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run
through Sunday, July 13, 2008. The plan is available on the park's website
at http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/invasive.htm. A public meeting will
take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. during
the monthly Open House in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.
Additionally, park representatives will be available at the El Portal
Planning Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 7pm in the Clark
Community Hall.
Written review comments should be postmarked no later than July 13, 2008.
Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, email, and
through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting
system. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit
written comments:
Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn: Invasive Plant Management Plan
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: 209/379-1294
Email: YOSE_planning@nps.gov
PEPC: http://parkplanning.nps.gov
For more information on park planning efforts, visit the website at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt.htm. (-NPS-)
Announcements
DOI Training Requirements DUE DATE JUNE 30, 2008
Federal Information Systems Security Awareness course (FISSA) on DOILearn
NPS's "Responsibilities For Computer use" (RCU)
All employees are required to complete the Federal Information Systems
Security Awareness course (FISSA) on DOILearn every year by June 30.
Anyone who has not completed this course since June 30, 2007 must do so by
June 30, 2008 or they may be subject to having their access to the NPS LAN
disabled.
Since the entire NPS is attempting to complete the FISSA by June 30 we
typically see extremely poor performance before mid afternoon when most of
those east of us are still using it. Try DOILearn midafternoon for best
results.
Starting in 2008 there is also a second requirement, previously only
required for new Employees, of annually reading and agreeing to the
standards set forth in NPS's "Responsibilities For Computer use" (RCU).
There is a copy of the RCU (current version is 2007-1) on DOILearn that
everyone is automatically registered for just as they are for FISSA. If
you have not read and signed the Acknowledgement Form for RCU Version
2007-1 since it was released in January 2008 you must do so prior to June
30 2008. (the former version was 2003-3)
The DOILearn version of the RCU lacks some necessary programmatic
components and has frequently been exceedingly frustrating. It is usually
much faster to simply read the paper version available from the Park's IT
Help Desk or on InsideNPS at
http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=572&id=4710. Simply sign
the Acknowledgement Form available on the same page of InsideNPS and submit
a copy to your Supervisor and the IT Help Desk.
Please contact Dan Sohn or the IT Help desk if you have any questions.
Thanks (L. Harris - 6/19/08)
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Updated air quality site and haze from regional fires:
The Yosenet "website" (
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/AirQuality/default.htm) has been updated
with information on haze from the regional fires currently impacting
Yosemite air quality.
Note also that direct links to current air quality measurements of ozone
and fine particles in the Yosemite Valley, at Turtleback Dome, and other
less permanent sites are also linked from this page in the right-hand
column. I'll continue to post descriptions and, to the extent possible,
explanations of the major events that impact the Park's air quality as they
occur throughout the rest of the year on this page. As always, basic
information and background on air quality is linked in the tables at the
bottom of the page. (L. Tarnay - 6/18/08)
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Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
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The following Yosemite National Park employees have been approved for
participation in the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
Linda Kelly
If you are interested in contributing annual leave to any of the above
individuals, please do so by completing a Request to donate Annual Leave to
Leave Recipient (Within Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, Optional
Form 630-A (OF 639-A).
Please forward your OF 630-A to:
Human Resources Office
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318
or fax to (209) 379-1800
Click HERE for more Information on the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.
(H. Whitman - 6/9/08)
HR Corner
Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: June 12, 2008
Please check the links below for latest listings:
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/intp/daily.htm (intranet) or
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/upload/daily.pdf (internet)
Community News
6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. We are the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and are supported by the California Arts Council, the National Endowment
for the Arts, SierraTel, the James Irvine Foundation, Mariposa County, and
the Geoff and Josie Fox Family Foundation, a Donor Advised fund of the
Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We are also generously supported by
Iron Mountain Systems and Stonecutter.com. The views expressed by the
films, in print materials, or by discussion facilitators are not
necessarily those of these funders.
Monthly membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay
$7 per film, and non-member students pay $5. Recorded Information: (209)
966-1333. Staff: 209 742-6666. http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org. E-mail us:
sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This week - Friday-Saturday, June 20-21, 7:30 p.m.: THE SAVAGES. (Rated R;
113 minutes). Two siblings who have spent their adult years trying to
recover from the abuse of their abusive father, Lenny Savage, suddenly get
a call that his girlfriend has died, he cannot care for himself with his
dementia, and her family is dumping him on his children. Despite the fact
Jon and Wendy have not spoken to Lenny for twenty years, and he is even
more loathsome than ever, the Savage siblings feel obliged to take care of
him. Now together, brother and sister must come to terms with the new and
painful responsibilities with their father now affecting their lives even
as they struggle with their own personal demons that Lenny helped create.
Twice Oscar nominated, the brutally funny script is taut and honest, the
dialogue sharp and witty, and the performances spot-on.
UPCOMING EVENTS (at 7:30 unless otherwise noted):
"Blade Runner," (Director's Cut) June 27-28
July: musical month! (T. Arfsten - 6/18/08)
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Don't miss Robb Hirsch - Robb decided to come in on Friday/Saturday/Sunday
rather than just Sat/Sun. Robb returns as the upcoming featured artisan in
the "Artisan at the Ahwahnee" series at The Ahwahnee Hotel. Robb is a well
known local photographer residing in Groveland. He will be exhibiting from
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2008 and Sunday, June 22, 2008.
A variety of photographs will be available for purchase. (P. Burgess -
6/17/08)
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The Seventh Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua is coming right up June
20-22nd. Based out of Lee Vining, California, the Bird Chautauqua is a
weekend festival of birds, science, art, music, field trips, and workshops.
The event concludes on Sunday the 22nd at the Mono Lake County Park with a
free concert featuring special bluegrass musical guests Rita Hosking and
Cousin Jack. The concert begins at 12:30 pm. Please carpool to the County
Park since parking will be difficult.
For information and registration visit: www.birdchautauqua.org The Bird
Chautauqua partners include the National Park Service, US Forest Service,
California State Parks, Mono Lake Committee, Friends of the Inyo, Eastern
Sierra Audubon, Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, and PRBO
Conservation Science.
Not your ordinary bird festival! (D. Marquart - 6/13/08)
Acting Designation
Jessica Middleton is acting Branch Chief for Anthropology and Archeology
for June 20 and 23. - (L. Kirn - 6/20/08)
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Bernadette Barthelenghi will be Acting Branch Chief of Design for Project
Management June 26,27, and July 1st. You may phone Bernadette at 379-1025
or you may leave a message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. Mark
Husbands will be Acting Branch Chief of Design for Project Management June
23,24,25, and 30th. You may phone Mark at 379-1364 or you may leave a
message with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (D.Harrison - 6/20/08)
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Randy Fong will be Acting Division Chief for Project Management. You may
phone Randy at 379-1022 or you may leave a message with Tricia Radmacher at
379-1221. (D.Harrison - 6/19/08)
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Lee Tarnay will be the acting Branch Chief for Physical Science and
Landscape Ecology on Friday, June 20. Lee can be reached at 379-1422. (J.
Meyer - 6/20/08)
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Kristina Rylands will act as Chief of Planning Wednesday through Friday of
this week. Kristina can be reached at 379-1175 (L. Dahl - 6/16/08)
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Jim Allen will be Acting Utilities Branch Chief starting June 16th through
June 27th. He can be reached at 379-1039 or leave a message with Katie
Bablitch at 379-1055. (K. Bablitch - 6/13/08)
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While Jen Nersesian is on an international assignment, Calvin Liu will be
acting branch chief of Public Involvement and Outreach in the Division of
Interpretation until June 24th. (C. Liu - 6/2/08)
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Rodney Raines is now acting Wawona Utilities supervisor until further
notice. He can be reached at 375-9510 or leave a message with Shawnessy.
(K. Bablitch - 5/28/08)
