Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY. VERY WINDY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...
42 TO 52 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. GUSTS UP TO 70 MPH OVER THE CREST IN THE
AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. WINDY...COLDER. LOWS 27 TO 37 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...18 TO 28 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
WEDNESDAY...SUNNY...WINDY. HIGHS 55 TO 65 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 37 TO 47 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 25 TO 35 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 16 TO
26 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 59 TO 69 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...41 TO 51 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind between 9 and 15
mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. West southwest wind between 11
and 14 mph becoming light.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Light wind becoming southwest
between 12 and 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West southwest wind 6
to 14 mph becoming northeast.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph
becoming west southwest.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
FYI: Posted Saturday, April 26, 2008 El Portal Market - Mariposa County
Fire Fire Investigation Supplemental Report - Incident: MMU#4767,
YNP#08-0896 at: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/epm.htm
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The bike trial from the Lower Yosemite Falls Shuttle Bus Stop to the Camp
Six Intersection will be scheduled to be paved starting 4/21 to 5/9. 4/28 -
The operation will include temporary trail closures/signed re-route detours
and a temporary shuttle bus closure in front of the Visitor
Center/Administration Building (with signed detours) to allow the hot
asphalt to cool and cure. Bikes and pedestrians will be detoured around the
Administration Building via Oak Drive and back towards the NPS Maintenance
Facility. Cedar Court will also be closed both days. (D. Tucker - 4/24/08)
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The Research Library will be closed April 24th - 30th. In case of a
research emergency, contact the Museum staff (372-0282 or 0297). (L. Eade -
4/21/08)
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Blood Drive Wednesday 4/30 in front of Valley Visitor Center. Please share
the Gift of Life at the annual Yosemite Lions Club Blood Drive. The
Bloodmobile and the Eyemobile will be in front of the Visitors Center from
10 am to 3 pm. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of
110 lbs and be at least 17 years old. Be sure to drink plenty of water
(avoid caffeine drinks) and eat a healthy meal prior to donation. Photo ID
and Social Security Number are required at donor registration. The
Eyemobile will accept your old unused eyeglasses for donations, and offers
free eye exams. Come join us! (D. Stewart - 4/29/08)
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Yosemite National Park Open House
The National Park Service welcomes those interested to attend an Open House
in Yosemite Valley on Wednesday, March 30, 2008 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in
the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.
The public is invited to the Open House to:
Talk to park staff and listen to presentations given throughout the day
Review newly released documents and reports
Submit comments on proposed projects and ongoing implementation efforts
Planning efforts and projects that will be represented at this Open House
are:
Alpine Butterflies
Learn about butterfly species and surveys in Yosemite's high country
Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Education Campus
Construction and Project Updates
Visitors attending the Open House will have the entrance fee waived. (P.
Meierding - 4/29/08)
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May YARTS Vouchers in El Portal: Sorry for the late notice but I am
planning on being in El Portal on Wednesday, April 30, with the May Yarts
vouchers. I will be in the small breakroom in the Maintenance building
about 3:45 until 4:30. Prior to that I will stop in the Fiscal Office
area. Please mark your calendars and set your alarms and I'll see you
there. (S. Grin - 4/29/08)
New Today
Comprehensive Interpretive Plan. These will explore two main topics: on
May 1st, we will look at the stories and issues that connect people to
Yosemite that we should focus on in interpretation; and on May 20, at how
this information gets distributed, both in the park and by outside
purveyors. All are welcome, and anyone involved in tourism -- from tour
operators to visitor centers to museums and others -- is especially
encouraged to attend, to help us all form a more coordinated network of
visitor engagement.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please contact
Tom Medema ASAP at the email address above or at (209) 372-0642.
If you are unable to attend we still welcome your ideas and comments, and
will be posting our progress on the web at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/cip.htm.
A workshop for the new Merced River Plan on Saturday, May 10th. The
objectives are as follows: (1) Discuss the implications of the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals’ ruling on the Revised Merced River Plan; (2) Discuss the
new direction and scope of the new Merced River planning process; and (3)
Discuss the future of the public planning process; what is working and what
can be improved?
If you are interested in attending this, please RSVP to Elexis Mayer by
Wednesday, May 7, at the address above or at (209) 379-1377. (J. Nersesian
- 4/29/08)
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Effective April 29, Camp 4 will be staffed daily by a ranger. As a
reminder, no day-use parking is allowed in the Camp 4 parking lot (cars
must be registered in Camp 4). (M. Carter - 4/29/08)
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Swinging Bridge Accessibility Improvements Project
Construction for accessibility improvements at the Swinging Bridge Picnic
area will be the week of April 28, 2008. This projects is part of a larger
project effort to improve accessibility at five day-use areas throughout
the park. The contractor will fence off the areas to be improved including
several parking spaces for vehicle and material staging. Construction will
continue for the next two weeks. (J. Chisum - 4/28/08)
Hodgdon Meadow Duplex Installation - The contractor has completed work on
the concrete foundation. Framing and utility crews will being doing layout
work beginning the week of April 28, 2008 with construction beginning
sometime the following week. Construction is scheduled to continue through
the spring and summer and be completed in September. (J. Chisum - 04/29/08)
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Bear Facts April 20-April 26, 2008
Yosemite Valley Incidents this week
Campgrounds | 1 | $25
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Parking lots | 0 | $0
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Other (concession | 4 | $44
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Total | 5 | $69
Yosemite Valley Incidents Year to date
Campgrounds | 6 | $276
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Parking lots | 11 | $2,955
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Other (concession | 8 | $770
facilities and residential | |
areas) | |
------------------------------+------------+--------------
Total | 25 | 4,001
* There have been 9 incidents involving bears obtaining food from
overflowing trashcans or unclipped dumpsters in addition to the incidents
listed above.
Comparisons Year to Date April 20 - 26, 2008
| 1998 | 2008 | Percent | 2007 | 2008 | Percent
| | | Change | | | Change
--------------+------------+-----------+------------+-----------+-----------+------------
Incidents | 203 | 25 | -87.68% | 50 | 25 | -50.00%
--------------+------------+-----------+------------+-----------+-----------+------------
Damage | $104,293 | $4,001 | -96.16% | $8,477 | $4,001 | -52.80%
Incidents are beginning to occur in Housekeeping Camp this week. Bears
have been reported in the Pines campgrounds, Curry Village, Valley housing
areas, West Valley near Bridalveil, and in meadows in the East Valley. All
incidents so far this year have been in Yosemite Valley.
Bear cubs spend a little over a year with their mother. Bear cubs that were
born last year may still be with their mother now but will likely be
separating and going off on their own by June. If you see a small bear
without a mother, it is probably a yearling that has left its mother and is
on its own. (V. Seher - 4/29/08)
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6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, 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.
This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state
agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly
membership is $12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and
non-member students pay only $5. Film/theater information: (209) 966-1333
or http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666.
E-mail us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
There will be no films this coming weekend, May 2-3.
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. PANGEA DAY. (FREE
ADMISSION).Pangea was the super continent that existed about 250 million
years ago, before each of the component continents were separated, and
drifted into their current configuration.
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and
conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day
is a global event to bring the world together through film. Pangea Day
seeks to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.
Locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de
Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music,
and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven
languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet,
television, and mobile phones. The 24 short films to be featured have been
selected based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see
the world through another person's eyes. For more information, go to the
official Pangea Day site: http://www.pangeaday.org/ (T. Arfsten - 4/29/08)
Announcements
Training Announcement
Date: May 6th or 7th
Time: 13:00 (1pm) – 16:30
Location: Large Break Room, El Portal complex
Topics and intended audience:
Hanta Virus Awareness* 13:00 – 13:30
All Yose employees should receive hanta virus awareness training, employees
required to assess or open seasonal buildings need this class and
respiratory protection to be properly qualified, see hanta virus policy for
specific details.
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/Critical_Programs/08_Hanta_Policy...
Respiratory Protection Training* 13:30 – 15:00
All personnel exposed to respiratory hazards above the OSHA permissible
exposure limit (PEL) or employees exposed to unknown levels of respiratory
hazards need respiratory training, a medical clearance, and a fit test.
Prerequisite: Respiratory Questionnaire forms are here:
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/forms.htm
Hearing Conservation Program Training* 15:15 – 16:30
All employees exposed to noise levels above the OSHA permissible exposure
limit (PEL). Affected Branches include Fire, LE, B&G, R&T, Utilities,
Vegetation, and Archeology. Includes a baseline audiogram and annual
audiograms to assess program effectiveness.
Call Claudine Ronay at 379-1072 to register for training on the 6th or 7th,
only 30 training slots available each day.
*See Guide to Safety Management for policy and applicability. (R. Farmer -
4/28/08)
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Annual Wildland Fire Refresher Training
The Fire Management Office will be holding the following Annual Wildland
Fire Refresher Training Sessions. This training is required by all of
those employees that are "Red Carded" for fireline duties. If you need
this training, please try to make one of these sessions.
April 30 0800-1700 El Portal Community Hall Contact Bernard
Spielman 379-1903 THIS CLASS IS FULL
May 1-2 Hours TBD Crane Flat Helibase Contact Eric
Small/Jeff Pirog 379-1911/372-0414
May 23 0800-1700 Cedar Lodge Contact Bernard
Spielman 379-1903
June 10 0800-1700 Valley Fire Station Contact Jeff
Panetta 375-9515
Please bring you're line gear. We are exchanging all shelters to the new
style with reinforced top.
PACK Testing will begin in May. More information will follow.
If you need further information contact Deron Mills 379-1902 or Bernard
Spielman 379-1903. (D. Mills - 4/23/08)
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BID ANNOUNCEMENT - EMPLOYEE HOUSING
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - GOVERNMENT HOUSING
EL PORTAL HOUSING AREA
HOUSE #874 - 9742 ELDERBERRY LANE
3 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms - 1843 Sq. Ft. – Built in 1996 - $479.64 bi-weekly
– utilities not included.
DEADLINE FOR BID SUBMISSION
APRIL 30, 2008 (Close of Business)
Eligible Employees must be NPS Permanent, Term, or SCEP (Student Career
Experience Program)
Please contact the Housing Management Office for bid forms and/or
additional information. 379-1839 or 379-1879 (Y. Radanovich - 4/16/08)
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
Community News
New Summer YARTS runs to start May 19, 2008
The 2008 summer schedules for YARTS have been published and are available
online. There are a number of changes on both the Hwy 140 schedule and the
Hwy 120 schedule that should be noted by NPS staff, whether using the
system to commute or answering questions for visitors.
On the Hwy 140 schedule, two round trip runs have been added. The new runs
should help relieve some of the capacity problems that YARTS has faced
since the rockslide detour opened. Run 2A is aimed to provide added
seating for workers going to El Portal with an 8 AM work-start time. It
should also provide some seats for those hearty early visitors. Run 5A
allows YARTS to move Run 5 back to an earlier departure time, like it was
before, and leave on time whether the Amtrak train in on time or not. 5A
should help deal with the late trains. Run 5 has been a problem, not only
with late trains, but also overcrowding.
Outbound, Run 9 is moved to an earlier departure to try to assure Amtrak
and Greyhound riders timely connections in Merced. With the connecting
riders on Run 9, the new 9A should provide better capacity for the
employees getting off at 4 PM. Run 12A is intended to give visitors and
employees a later stay in the park without having to wait for the last bus
at 8:20 PM.
On the Hwy 120 schedule, a new stop at the Mammoth Lakes Park and Ride on
Old Mammoth Road has been added and the stop at the Mammoth RV Park has
been eliminated. The Stop on Demand (SOD) stop at the Cathedral Trail Head
in Tuolumne Meadows has been eliminated in favor of hikers using the
Tuolumne Meadows shuttle. Crane Flat Gas Station is now SOD in both
directions.
The Hwy 140 schedule starts on May 19. You can view the new schedule at
www.yarts.com/schedule/2008/summer140.pdf. The Hwy 120 schedule will start
on June 1st, or as soon thereafter as the Tioga Pass Road is open for use.
You can view that schedule at www.yarts.com/schedule/2008/summer120.pdf.
(D. Whittington\W. Malone - 4/28/08)
Acting Designation
I will be out of the office starting 04/28/2008 and will not return until
05/05/2008. In an emergency please contact Brian Sprague at 379-1227. (L.
Sheetz - 4/29/08)
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Kristin Ramsey will be the acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Support
Services from April 22-30. (M. Kline - 4/22/08)
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I will be on Annual Leave through April 30. Please contact Deron Mills -
Acting Fire Chief at 209-379-1902 in my absence. (K. Martin - 4/21/08)
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Dave Miller is acting Supervisor for El Portal Roads & Solid Waste until
July 5th. Dave can be reached at 379-1120 or leave a message with Beth
Benitag @ 379-1057. (B.Benitag - 4//14/08)
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