Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, July 28, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Thursday, July 28, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
El Portal
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
El Portal
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuolumne Meadows
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
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HAPPENING TODAY
Smoke Impacts from Lion Fire
You may have noticed a slight haze in the air today above Yosemite. This was due to high level smoke transported from the Lion fire, a 14,000+ acre fire 100 miles to our south. No measurable impacts on the ground from this fire have been observed here in Yosemite, and none are likely to occur due to distance from the fire and weak transport forecasted for the next few days. More information on the Lion fire can be found at http://inciweb.org/incident/2400/, and on the GBUAPCD Smoke Blog (http://smokeblog.gbuapcd.org/). (L. Tarnay - 7/28)
You may have noticed a slight haze in the air today above Yosemite. This was due to high level smoke transported from the Lion fire, a 14,000+ acre fire 100 miles to our south. No measurable impacts on the ground from this fire have been observed here in Yosemite, and none are likely to occur due to distance from the fire and weak transport forecasted for the next few days. More information on the Lion fire can be found at http://inciweb.org/incident/2400/, and on the GBUAPCD Smoke Blog (http://smokeblog.gbuapcd.org/). (L. Tarnay - 7/28)
Sal's Tonight
Come join Yosemite Employee Association tonight at the El Portal Community Hall for another night of Sal's Taco Wagon and the YEA bar. When you buy beer or wine from the YEA bar you are supporting your community. YEA bartenders also take out your trash and do the recycling. If you are not yet a YEA member, it only costs $10 to join and you will be helping the local community. Remember to drink responsibly and avoid a night in the John Muir Hotel. Designated drivers drink (soda) for free! (M. Dale - 7/26)
Come join Yosemite Employee Association tonight at the El Portal Community Hall for another night of Sal's Taco Wagon and the YEA bar. When you buy beer or wine from the YEA bar you are supporting your community. YEA bartenders also take out your trash and do the recycling. If you are not yet a YEA member, it only costs $10 to join and you will be helping the local community. Remember to drink responsibly and avoid a night in the John Muir Hotel. Designated drivers drink (soda) for free! (M. Dale - 7/26)
Local Artist Exhibition and Reception at the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona in Yosemite National Park
Local artist Diane Detrick Bopp is scheduled for an "Evening with the Artist" reception at the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library at 7 p.m. tonight, to talk about her works currently on exhibition at the library through August. Refreshments will be served; admission is free. (P. Sischo - 7/26)
Local artist Diane Detrick Bopp is scheduled for an "Evening with the Artist" reception at the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library at 7 p.m. tonight, to talk about her works currently on exhibition at the library through August. Refreshments will be served; admission is free. (P. Sischo - 7/26)
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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS
Volunteer Opportunity in Tuolumne Meadows
Researchers from the Utah State University and Yosemite National Park are seeking assistance with a visitor travel information study in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Brief training and supplies will be provided. Assistance from individuals aged 14 and older is requested for the following sessions:
- July 30th, 2pm-7pm
- July 31st, 9am-2pm
- August 4th, 2pm-7pm
- August 6th, 9am-2pm
- August 7th, 2pm-7pm
Interested individuals may volunteer for one or several sessions. Please Call Karina Puikkonen at 801-618-6045. (T. Newburger - 7/28)
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Yosemite National Park Unveils Largest Solar Energy System in the National Park System - news release
$5.8 Million Photovoltaic Project in El Portal Grid Connected and Producing Power
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher led a ribbon cutting ceremony today, July 27, to dedicate the El Portal Photovoltaic Project. Neubacher was joined by representatives from the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Congressman Jeff Denham (R-19th), Mariposa County Supervisor Lee Stetson, contractors, and National Park Service staff. The event dedicated the largest grid-connected photovoltaic system within the National Park Service (NPS).
The photovoltaic system at the El Portal complex is the largest NPS-managed photovoltaic project with the Pacific West Region and the largest grid-connected photovoltaic system owned and operated by the NPS. The 672 kilowatt (KW) system consists of 2,800 solar panels and produces approximately 800,000 kilowatt hours (KWh) per year. The park estimates saving approximately $50,000 per year on electricity purchased off the grid and is expecting to receive a $700,000 energy rebate from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) over the next five years. This represents an approximate 12 percent reduction in electricity purchased off the grid.
“The collaborative effort to design and build this system has come to fruition and we are extremely proud of the results,” Stated Neubacher. “We are committed to being a leader in renewable energy and this project exemplifies our efforts.” The project was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment act and cost $5.8 million. Construction of the system was completed in February 2011 and the interconnection agreement with PG&E was signed in late June 2011.
The El Portal Maintenance and Administrative Complex is located at the western edge of Yosemite National Park adjacent to Highway 140. The facility includes park offices, vehicle maintenance facility, the park warehouse, and other park operations. The location was chosen for the photovoltaic project due to the high amount of direct sunlight the site receives. (Editor’s Note: Photos of the El Portal Photovoltaic System is available by emailing Kari_Cobb@nps.gov.) (K. Cobb - 7/28)
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White Wolf Lodge Open
White Wolf Lodge is open for the season. The operation is currently operating without phones or fax, so all dining reservations will need to be made in person at White Wolf Lodge. Hours of operation include, Breakfast service 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Dinner 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and front desk services daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. We will provide an update as phone services are made available. (D. Evans - 7/27)
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White Wolf Lodge is open for the season. The operation is currently operating without phones or fax, so all dining reservations will need to be made in person at White Wolf Lodge. Hours of operation include, Breakfast service 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Dinner 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and front desk services daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. We will provide an update as phone services are made available. (D. Evans - 7/27)
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Porcupine Flat Open
Porcupine Flat Campground has opened for the season. (M. Carter - 7/27)
Porcupine Flat Campground has opened for the season. (M. Carter - 7/27)
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
EMPLOYEE NEWS
The Supply and Property Management Branch Storage Space
If you need project material stored in covered storage please plan in advance with Don Ramsey (379-1024). Due to the many projects under way in the Park, our storage areas are at a premium. At this time, there is no space available except for very small amounts of project materials. The main warehouse floor is also full due to other storage commitments that hit us during this busy season. (D. Ramsey - 7/28)
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If you need project material stored in covered storage please plan in advance with Don Ramsey (379-1024). Due to the many projects under way in the Park, our storage areas are at a premium. At this time, there is no space available except for very small amounts of project materials. The main warehouse floor is also full due to other storage commitments that hit us during this busy season. (D. Ramsey - 7/28)
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ArcGIS Desktop Now Available on Ericom
GIS users at Yosemite now have the option of running ArcGIS Desktop on the Ericom server. This software is identical to the version installed on a standalone computer, but it may offer improved performance for users not located at the El Portal maintenance complex. Also, it makes the current version of ArcGIS Desktop available to users who do not currently have it installed on their own computer. For more information, see the GIS page on SharePoint (under Resources): http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/reso/gis. (K. Hastings - 7/28)
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GIS users at Yosemite now have the option of running ArcGIS Desktop on the Ericom server. This software is identical to the version installed on a standalone computer, but it may offer improved performance for users not located at the El Portal maintenance complex. Also, it makes the current version of ArcGIS Desktop available to users who do not currently have it installed on their own computer. For more information, see the GIS page on SharePoint (under Resources): http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/reso/gis. (K. Hastings - 7/28)
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New Mather District Ranger
The Protection Division is pleased to announce that Jay Shields has been hired as the Mather District Ranger. Jay has been acting in that capacity since January and has done a remarkable job. Jay's previous position was as the Crane Flat Sub-district Ranger and he has worked in Yosemite since April of 2010. (K. Killian - 7/27)
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Valley Tree Work
Starting on Monday, July 25th Valley District Forestry crew will be working along the Valley Loop roads felling and removing hazardous trees and encroaching vegetation. Traffic control will be in effect with minor delays between 7:00am and 3:30pm. Work areas will include North and South Side Drives. Estimated completion date 8/10. (L. Castro - 7/25)
Valley Loop Trail Resurfacing
The Valley Loop Trail will be closed during work hours (8:00am-5:00pm) Mon through Friday, from Church Bowl to Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Detour signs are in place. This is due to trail resurfacing project. Expect closure to remain in effect through 8/22. (R. Kish - 7/12)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Greg Torres will be Acting Trails Supervisor July 28th - Aug. 15th. He may be reached at 742-8811.The Valley Loop Trail will be closed during work hours (8:00am-5:00pm) Mon through Friday, from Church Bowl to Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Detour signs are in place. This is due to trail resurfacing project. Expect closure to remain in effect through 8/22. (R. Kish - 7/12)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Sheri Ogden will be Acting Chief of Business and Revenue Management July 28 - 29, 2011
Jun Kinoshita is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology Programs July 25 through 29. Jun can be reached at 379-1317.
Todd Newburger (209) 379-1434 will be Acting Branch Chief for Visitor Use and Social Science from Wednesday, July 27th to Friday July 29th.
Shawn Lingo (379-1416) will be acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes (HAL) from Monday, July 18 thru Friday, July 29.
Lou Summerfield with be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29. He may be reached at 379-1075.
Dean Mullis will be acting Machine shop foreman from July 27th through August 5th will Ken Fipps is on leave, call 379-1155 to contact him.
Brian Long will be acting Valley Utilities Supervisor while Chad Thomas is out of the park from 7/14/11 to 7/30/11.
Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.
Jim Roche will be acting branch chief of Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology through September 30th.
Charles Cuvelier is acting Deputy Superintendent for the month of July. Charles can be reached at 372-0211.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist (PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Mariposa Farmers Market
Want to support local farmers and vendors? Come check out Mariposa's Farmers Market on Wednesdays 5-6:30 p.m. at Sixth Street parking lot on Stroming Road adjacent to the Creek Parkway. (S. Bevington - 7/27)
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Special Sal's Night This Weekend
DNC will be hosting a 1/2 off Sal's night in Yosemite Valley on Sunday July 31st. The truck will park behind the Wellness Center at 5pm and will stay until the line is gone or the food is gone. Come on out and get your fill! (E. Brosk - 7/27)
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