Yosemite Daily Report for Feb 28

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, February 28, 2012

WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. 
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday: Snow. High near 35. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
El Portal 
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. 
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. 
Wednesday: Rain. High near 50. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. 
Tonight: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: Rain and snow. Snow level 4200 feet. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Yosemite National Park Announces Release of the Finding of No Significant Impact for the Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Project - news release
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-052
Yosemite National Park announces the signing of the Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Project Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This document records the decision of the National Park Service to remove the remaining 72 structures within the closed rockfall hazard zone at Curry Village. This action was described as Alternative 1 – Remove All Structures in the environmental assessment (EA) that was released for public review in August 2011. The FONSI, EA, Memorandum of Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Officer, and responses to comments are available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/CurryRockfal .
Implementation of the Selected Action entails the removal of the following structures:
- 44 bungalettes (hard-sided cabins without bath)
- 22 bungalows (hard-sided cabins with bath)
- 3 comfort stations (Nob Hill, Rock, Terrace)
- Cabin 101 (Nob Hill Cabin)
- Women’s Club/Terrace clubhouse
- Foster Curry Bungalow/Tresidder House

Before removal occurs, the site and structures will be recorded through drawings and photographic and written documentation. The park will follow relevant federal regulations and procedures governing the disposal of government property. Removal of the structures is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2012 or as soon as conditions permit.
Public scoping occurred from February 22 to April 7, 2010, during which 33 letters were received. The EA was available for comment from August 8 to September 9, 2011; 32 letters were received. All comments were reviewed by park staff and were considered in the development of the FONSI.
Requests for hardcopies or CD-ROMs of the FONSI, available on a limited basis, can be submitted to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Project, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389; or fax (209) 379-1294; or email: Yose_Planning@nps.gov . Hardcopies and CD-ROMs will also be available at the park’s monthly Open House on February 29, 2012, in the valley auditorium. (S. Gediman)
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Invasive Plant Management – 2012 Work Plan and Associated Maps Available Online
As determined by the Invasive Plant Management Plan Update, each year the park will share its upcoming work plans related to the eradication of invasive plants. The Invasive Plant Management Plan, finalized in 2011, gives Yosemite resource managers greater flexibility to respond to present and future threats to park resources from non-native invasive species. No single method or herbicide is best in controlling all species in every situation.  Detailed work planning , effectiveness monitoring, and outreach allows the park, its partners as well as the public to assess the scope of invasive plant problems in Yosemite today, as well as the safety and efficacy of the parks response.
To download the 2012 Invasive Plant Management Plan: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/invasive-plant-management.htm.  The work plan summarizes the 2011 field season and proposed 2012 treatments. The work plan also describes the program's general approach as well as area specific plans. Thirty-six GIS maps display invasive plant infestation locations and site-specific details on all proposed treatment actions. Contact Martin Hutten for more information, questions, or comments: martin_hutten@nps.gov or (209) 742-3285. (G. Dickman)
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Job Posting - Yosemite Conservancy - Interim Outdoor Adventure & Administrative Assistant
The Temporary Outdoor Adventure and Office Assistant reports to the General Manager and provides administrative support; and provides support to the Outdoor Adventure program by coordinating the sales and registration process for Yosemite Outdoor Adventure programs and Custom Adventures. This office-based position works collaboratively with the Resident Naturalist. This is a temporary 40 hour/week position starting in mid-June, 2012 ending in October or November 2012, while the staff person who normally fills this role is on maternity leave.  For more information about Yosemite Conservancy, the position and how to apply, see http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/employment (R. Miller)
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Adobe InDesign Training
Need basic training in Adobe InDesign?  Are you tired of having graphics jump around on the page while you try to prepare reports/papers/flyers, etc? Want to make your print projects look good on a small budget? Thinking about investing in InDesign but not sure if it fits your needs? Join us for a two hour class on InDesign Basics. Learn how to create custom desktop publishing documents, import pictures, standardize your reports, and prepare them for publishing. Training is currently scheduled for March 8 from 2-4pm in the Windowless Conference Room  in the El Portal Maintenance Complex. Limited space; please RSVP to adrienne_freeman@nps.gov by March 2 for details and software requirements. (A. Freeman)
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Volunteer Manager/Supervisor Training April 17-19, 2012  *Revised
Would you like to learn how volunteers can help your program?  Want to learn some supervision skills and tools?  Yosemite is hosting the How to Succeed with Volunteers in Parks and Yosemite Volunteer Management Training April 17-19.  It will take place in El Portal, is free, and is open to NPS and partner staff (paid and volunteer) who work with volunteers. Yosemite staff have priority for the course. After that, the course is open first-come, first-serve service-wide. We'll be sharing lots of information and useful tools, and plan to have some fun in the process; the course has received great reviews -- ask someone who's gone if it's right for you. If you'd like to be in this course, apply by submitting your nomination form to heather_boothe@nps.gov.  Nomination forms can be found on SharePoint at http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/intp/vip or by requesting a form from the volunteer office at heather_boothe@nps.gov. The nomination deadline is March 9. Please contact Heather with any questions at 379-1855. (H. Boothe)
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Management Team Meeting Cancelled
The Management Team meeting on March 6th has been cancelled and will be replaced by the Leadership Academy on March 14-16. (K. Kosick)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 2/28
Base Depth: No depth submitted: "The conditions on the slopes are excellent, the base area is fair to good conditions."

New Snow: 2"
Snow Conditions: Machine groomed and packed powder.
Temperature: High 33 Low 26
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
XC trail snow conditions: Groomed from Badger Pass to Bridalveil Campground on Saturday morning. Teaching area groomed 2/28. There are some areas on the road with bare spots.
Tubing Hill: No tubing; need more snow. (E. Fraley)

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RECENT NEWS

Crane Flat Store Closed During Hwy 120 Closure *Revised
Crane Flat Store will be closed as of Feb 29 due to Big Oak Flat Road closure and will continue to be closed until notice that the Big Oak Flat Road has reopened. Gas will be available by pay at the pump with credit cards only. (K. Prichard)

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St. Patrick’s Day Shuttle
Ethos Youth Center will once again be providing a shuttle service from El Portal to the Canyon Bar and Grill (and back) on St. Patrick’s Day. The shuttle will run from 7pm-2am and will stop at the Community Hall, the bottom of Rancheria, and at the NPS warehouse. Tickets cost $5 and will be available at Sal’s on March 8th, at the YEA Irish dinner on the 17th, and on the shuttle. All proceeds will benefit Ethos Youth Center in Mariposa. Ethos is a revolution of youth that is a catalyst for justice and social change. Visit www.ethosmariposa.org to learn more information! Thanks to YEA and El Portal Dining for supporting this fundraiser! If you have any questions, please contact ethosyouth5@gmail.com, alison@mcs4you.org, or call 209.742.5865. (A. Tudor)
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Government Housing Rates Update
We have great news for employees residing in government housing in El Portal and the Valley! Based on the hard work of park staff, community members, and Mariposa County, the census information effecting housing rates has been adjusted by the U.S. Census Bureau in our favor. The U.S. Census Bureau was able to adjust the boundary of Mariposa to fit the community more appropriately. We are very happy to receive this news during such a difficult economic time.

As many of you know, government housing rental rates were due to increase on March 11, 2012. The 2012 rental rates for Yosemite Valley and El Portal housing areas were calculated based upon using Mariposa as the Nearest Established Community (NEC). Residents of these areas were either no longer eligible for an isolation deduction or the isolation deduction was reduced based on the miles to Mariposa instead of Oakhurst.

We are pleased to announce we have received official correspondence from the U.S. Census Bureau that the Census Bureau and Mariposa County have agreed to amend the boundary for Mariposa. This boundary change required a revised population count. Under the amended boundary, the revised 2010 population of Mariposa is 1,449. A Nearest Established Community (NEC) must have a population of 1,500. Therefore, because of this new information, the Housing Management Office will recalculate the 2012 rents for El Portal and Yosemite Valley tenants using Oakhurst as the NEC.

As a result, the rental rate increase will not be as drastic as expected. The Housing Management Office is working to compute the final amended rental rates for 2012. Amended 2012 rent notices will be mailed to those affected by this recent update. The revised rents will be effective no later than March 25, 2012.
All other 2012 rents will still go into effect March 11, 2012 as scheduled.

The Executive Leadership Team is working hard to improve morale on all levels. Employee morale is very important to us and we are glad things worked out in our favor. Again, we want to send a special thank you to Mariposa County for working with the Park Service to make this happen!

Don Neubacher
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Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) in Yosemite National Park to Close for Rockslide Repairs - news release
Approximate Six Week Closure Needed to Rebuild Damaged Section of Road
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Yosemite National Park announces that the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) within the park will close at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, for the park to repair damage to the road caused by a large rockslide on January 22, 2012. The closure, in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week, is expected to last until early April. Crews will be working around the clock which necessitates a “hard-closure.”
The road will be closed between the Foresta Road Junction on the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) and the El Portal Road (Highway 140) junction.
Yosemite Valley remains accessible via El Portal Road (Highway 140) coming from Merced/ Mariposa and via Wawona Road (Highway 41) coming from Fresno/ Oakhurst. The Foresta Road, between Foresta and El Portal, is not accessible.
The Big Oak Flat Entrance Station along the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) via Groveland, remains open. Visitors arriving to the park via Highway 120 will have access to Hodgdon Meadow Campground, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, and the Crane Flat area. Hetch Hetchy also remains accessible along Highway 120.
The park reopened the road five days after the rockslide after removing rocks and debris. However, the damaged section is not paved and needs permanent repairs to allow for safe travel. Working with engineers from the Federal Highway Administration, it was determined that there was extensive structural damage to the roadway necessitating a total rebuild of the affected section. Crews will be working below the steep slope in the rockslide area seven days per week, twenty hours per day, in order to expedite the repair of the damaged section of the road.
The park secured emergency funding for the road repair and is now scheduling these repairs so the work is completed and the road reopened prior to the busy spring and summer seasons.
It is anticipated that the work will be completed before the Easter Weekend. The park will issue periodic updates on the road reconstruction progress and estimated dates for reopening. (K. Cobb)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Roger Farmer will the be the acting Superintendent's Office Chief of Staff from Fri. 2/24 - Thur. 3/8. Roger can be reached at 379-1079.
Tom Darcy will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from 2/24 - 3/1. He may be reached at 379-1076.
Gene Smith will be acting Roads & Trails Branch Chief 2/22/12 through 3/13/12 while Lou Summerfield is out of the park. He can be reached at 379-1120.
Sue Beatty will be acting Branch Chief for Vegetation and Restoration on Tuesday, February 28. She can be reached at 209-379-3290.
Madelyn Ruffner (379-1226) is on a 120-day detail as Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program Manager. Madelyn may be found at her regular desk location in the EPC Trailer. Elexis Mayer (379-1377) has temporarily moved to the Planning Trailer to continue her work on the Merced River Plan. For further assistance, you may also contact Jessica Zeek (379-1002), Administrative Support Assistant for Environmental Planning and Compliance.
Jack Hoeflich will be acting Valley District Ranger until further notice.
Andy Fristensky will be Acting Deputy Chief of Interpretive Operations until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0599.
Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Yosemite Valley Field Interpretation Supervisor until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0307.
Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1074.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.