Yosemite Daily Rerport for Feb 24

Remember, you can plan your Yosemite vacation at www.YosemiteThisYear.com! 

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, February 24, 2012

WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 64. 
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

El Portal 
Today: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Wawona 
Today: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

======================================================
NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Yosemite Renaissance Opening Reception
Yosemite Renaissance opening reception today. Please join us to celebrate the 27th Yosemite Renaissance exhibit today from 5:30-7:30 pm. in the museum gallery in Yosemite Valley. This year's exhibit was selected from nearly 700 entries and includes 48 works in a variety of media. Award-winners will be announced at the reception. The exhibit will be on view in Yosemite from February 25 through May 6, 2012, and will travel after its showing here. More information on Yosemite Renaissance and its programs is available at www.yosemiterenaissance.org . (B. Beroza)
__________________________________
Government Housing Rates
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! (D. Neubacher)
__________________________________

Crane Flat Store Closed During Hwy 120 Closure
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. (W. Kearns)
__________________________________

Volunteer Manager/Supervisor Training April 17-19, 2012
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   o r 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 or heather_boothe@nps.gov . (H. Boothe)
__________________________________

Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 2/24 
Base Depth: The conditions on the slopes are excellent, the base area is fair to good conditions
Snow Conditions: Powder & Packed Powder. Good Coverage
Forecast: Sunny
Temperature: High 52 Low 32
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit & Badger
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
XC trail snow conditions: 100% coverage and groomed from Badger Pass to Bridalveil Campground on Monday Morning 2-20-2012. Teaching area groomed 2-24-12. (S. Costello)
======================================================
RECENT NEWS

Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update - February 22, 2012
Weather: (February 15 through February 21)
High temp: 48°F (February 17)
Low temp: -2°F (February 19)
New Snow: 8 inches
Total settled snow depth: 20 inches as of February 21

Skiing Conditions and Weather: There were some high winds immediately after the last posting. So, ski conditions can vary quite a bit given aspect and altitude. Sheltered true north slopes still offer the softest option. For twenty inches, coverage is still quite good for sliding around this spectacular winter wilderness.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events. No natural avalanche activity has been seen in the Tuolumne backcountry area yet this season. However, attention should be given to north facing aspects that may still be holding pockets of depth hoar especially in rocky terrain. So far, only collapsing/settling has been felt with no visible propagation. Stability tests reveal a few layers that could cause a potential hazard in the future, if it ever snows again! East facing slopes do have a melt-freeze crust at approximately 60cm, with some faceting immediately above and below. Wind crusts form pockets above tree line on multiple aspects, primarily easterly. These are observations to keep in mind as the season progresses. At this point, the shallow snowpack, coupled with clear cold nights is shaping up to be more like a continental (versus maritime) snowpack. Stay tuned.

Wildlife: Lots of Snow Shoe Hare tracks have been seen in the soft snow as have their predators the weasel, Pine Marten, and Coyote. Flocks of Dark-eyed Junco have been flitting about the Lodge pole pine. On a couple of evenings, a Great Horned Owl has been heard hooting somewhere in the shadows of Lembert Dome.

Questions: Power and phones are out for the season. Contact the Wilderness Office at (209) 372-0740 with any questions or concerns. Bring your ski & skin wax! Laura & Rob Pilewski, the Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers. For regular updates, bookmark our blog on the park's website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmconditions.htm . (M. Ortiz)
______________________________

Private Rentals
Short term furnished rental - 4 bedroom 2 bath on the edge of Mariposa. Master suite with walk in closet, spa tub and shower. Large kitchen/ family room. Front porch and back deck. Walking distance to Mariposa businesses, $1200.00 per month. Please call for additional information 209-742-5380.

Well maintained mobile home 2 bed 2 bath with 2 car garage and extra room with wood stove off Triangle Rd near Meadow Ln. Mobile is situated on 5 park-like acres and has been well maintained by the owner. The house has a large living room and a den. $850. per month plus deposit of the same amount. 209-742-5380

Woodland School area 2 bed, 1 bath house off of HWY 49 south. Cute little house with yard. $700. with year lease, $750, month to month. $750. deposit. 209 742-5380

2 bedroom, 1 bath with 2 car garage with 1/2 bath. Additional laundry room with washer and dryer. House was remodeled last year, has new stove and refrigerator included. New paint and flooring throughout the house. Nice yard with lawn, located on Hwy. 49 south. Available approx. Feb. 20th. $850 per month with deposit of same amount. 209 742-5380

2 bed 1 1/2 bath in Mariposa Very clean, completely remolded apt. in town. New double pane windows for extra efficiency. Water and sewer included in rent. Has additional private laundry/storage room. Covered patio. $800. per month plus deposit of the same amount. 209-742-5380

Beautiful Horse Property and home for rent - 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 baths custom remolded home in Lush Meadows with large loft that can be used as additional a bedroom or office area with tons of storage. House has been freshly painted and has new flooring. Easy maintenance floors throughout. New windows and doors. Kitchen has refer, gas cook stove, dishwasher, microwave and double ovens. Very efficient woodstove easily heats the whole house. Electric runs about $80. per mo. with use of wood stove for heating the house. Fenced vegetable garden area, wood shed, kennels and heated dog porch! Pets not allowed in the house. 2 car detached garage and LOTS of decking to enjoy the outdoors. The master bedroom has french doors that open up to a large deck. Must have good references! $1250. per month with security deposit of the same amount. Shown by appt. only after approved application. 209-742-5380 (C. Baker)
__________________________________
Vehicle Sticker Update
To all Permanent and Term NPS employees, just a reminder that the Entrance Stations are in possession of a plentiful supply of the coveted new Permanent Employee Vehicle Sticker with an expiration date of December 2014 printed right on the front. For those qualifying NPS employees who have yet to obtain this essential accessory, please feel free to stop by any entrance station with your current registration and we promise to do our best to equip you with your very own. And please, after you have the sticker in your possession, we simply ask that you physically attach it to your windshield at the driver’s side lower corner as this is our primary focus when a vehicle approaches the station. So stop by, grab some words of wisdom, and pick up your new sticker. (G. Gibbons)
______________________________

Reminder from Property Management and IT
When traveling or telecommuting with a government laptop or other portable data device, employees must exercise a high degree of care for the property. Do not leave the laptop in plain view in unattended vehicles or hotel rooms. Secure the laptop in the vehicle trunk, hotel safe, or take it with you. When flying, treat the laptop like money; have it on you and in your control at all times. Never travel with NPS equipment as checked baggage; always keep it with you as carry-on luggage. If any equipment or data is lost or stolen, contact the local law enforcement agency to file a report and notify the park’s IT Office immediately. (K. Kolbeck)
______________________________

Contracting and Procurement Workshop and New Cut-off Dates

The Contracting and Procurement Office will be holding its annual Workshop on Monday, March 12, 2012 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and again on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 8:00 to 12:00 in the EP Large Breakroom. Please RSVP in the negative and the positive by March 7 COB.

Also, We have been informed the last day to award contract and financial assistance actions is July 30, 2012. The driving factor behind this early cut-off is the impending implementation of FBMS. Please take note of the following Cut-Off Dates:

Contract Type - Due Date into Contracting
Negotiated Sole Source 8(a) - 5/18
Negotiated RFPs and Sealed Bid IFBs - 5/7
Request for Quotations Construction ($25,000 - $150,000) - 5/18
Request for Quotation non-Construction ($25,000 - $150,000) - 5/18
Architect/Engineer Indefinite Quantity/Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) Contract Task Orders - 6/15
Simplified Acquisition - ($3,000 - $24,999)
And any dollar value <$3,000 that requires a purchase order - 6/15
Contract Modifications - 6/15
Cooperative Agreement (including task agreements and modification) - 5/7
Interagency Agreements - 6/15

Also, please note - all Recreation Fee contracts must be awarded by July 30 this year.

Please check the Contracting SharePoint site for any future updates and revisions as there may be some. (J. Auerbach)
______________________________

Job Posting - Yosemite Conservancy - Theater and Program Promotion Assistant
The Theater and Program Promotion Assistant is a full time, seasonal position promotes Yosemite Conservancy education programs (outdoor adventure, wilderness, art, volunteer and Theater) and provides logistics and on-site support to the performers in the Yosemite Conservancy Theater program in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. This position will supervised by the General Manager and work cooperatively with the Theater program performers, NPS staff and Yosemite Conservancy staff. For more information about Yosemite Conservancy, the position and how to apply, see http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/employment (R. Miller)
______________________________

Winterfest 2012 at Curry Village
Please help support the Yosemite Valley School by joining us for some hot food and Warren Miller ski films. All proceeds will help provide staff and materials to the students of Yosemite Valley. The event will take place this Saturday, February 25th, at 5:30 PM at the Curry Village Pavilion in Yosemite Valley. The menu will include pulled pork sandwiches, salad, and a baked potato bar. $15 for adults and $8 for kids. Two Warren Miller films will be shown. Thank you for your support! (A. Kunz)
______________________________

Sixth Street Cinema

Sixth Street Cinema is located upstairs at the Old Masonic Lodge in downtown Mariposa. For more information, please call (209) 742-6666 or go to www.sixthstreetcinema.org . Continuing event: Leonardo Live . Feb. 23 (Thu), and Feb. 26 (Sun), 7:30 p.m. Admission: $7 general public; $5 students; $3 SSC members. A satellite-delivered HD presentation of the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition "Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan," captured at the U.K. National Gallery. Fri. Feb 24th and Sat. Feb 25th: 7:30 p.m. Surprise film: Our pick for the best dramatic film of 2011. Please join us for our second to last film. We will tell you only that it is what we feel to be the best drama of 2011. We are not revealing the title of our penultimate film because we would like these last two weeks to be about, ostensibly, the cinema's farewell. We will close our schedule the following week with the best comedy of 2011. Please come! Sat Feb. 25th 9:55 a.m.: Met Live - Verdi's Ernani . $18 members, $22 general, $15 student. (T. Arfsten)
______________________________

DNC Phone Number Changes
Effective immediately, please note the following phone number changes for our department. Although some old numbers will automatically forward for a period of time, please start using the new ones and re-program any auto-dial or speed dial options you might use. All facsimile numbers remain the same at this time.

DNC Yose Security Dispatch: 209-372-1053
DNC Yose Lost and Found: 209-372-1390
DNC Yose Security Briefing Room: 209-372-1397
DNC Yose Security Patrol Supervisors' Office & Investigator's Office: 209-372-1398
DNC Yose Firehouse: 209-372-1396
David Stone, Chief of Security & Fire: 209-372-1144
Beckie Jonasky, Assistant: 209-372-1392
Mas Chastain, Assistant: 209-372-1393 (D. Stone)
__________________________________

Tioga Road Officially Closed for Season
The park experienced a significant winter storm the week of January 17. We preemptively closed the Tioga Road due to safety concerns. Because of the mild winter we have been experiencing, we have continued to reassess the road for a possible opening. Last week we received several feet of new snow at the higher elevations causing us to determine that the Tioga Road is closed for the season. (K. Cobb)
__________________________________
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)
__________________________________
New Yosemite National Park Directives
Yosemite National Park Directives #5: Incident/Accident Reporting and Investigation and #8: Internet Publishing have been posted to the Superintendent's Office Sharepoint site ( http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/supt/Superintendents%20Orders/Forms/AllItems.aspx ). (K. Kosick)
__________________________________
Reminder: Radon Testing Kits are Here
The radon testing kits have arrived in the park. The schedule for placing the test kits within NPS housing units is listed below:
Yosemite Valley: February 21 - 24
El Portal: February 24 - 27
Mather District: February 24 - 27
Wawona District: February 24 - 27 (C. Baker)
__________________________________
Mariposa Music Marathon
The Grammy award winning "Pride of the Sierra," our Yosemite region's own Mariposa County High School Grizzly Band will be having their annual Music Marathon on Sat, March 31st from 9:00am – 5:00pm, hosted at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. This has become one of the band’s most important fundraiser’s and also one of its biggest events. Our Band Booster families are busily putting together the event but could use your help. The MCHS band will be performing several times throughout the day, but we will also need additional performers volunteering their talent. We would appreciate hearing from any musicians or singers who would like to perform at this event. The performance slots are only 15 minutes long, and the Marathon is a fun way to display your talent. Another way to help our band is that, as part of the day, there will be a silent auction available. Any items our community businesses or artists would care to donate for it would also be greatly appreciated. Our small but dedicated MCHS band is a fine example of how a diverse group of our children can show the world the talent that grows up around Yosemite. However, the costs of operating a viable band program are significant, and our band receives no school funding, expenses are covered by fundraising. Please contact Linda Niles-Sheetz at LNS123@yahoo.com for information. (L. Niles-Sheetz)
======================================================
ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Dave Weseman will be acting Supervisor for El Portal Utilities 2/24/2012. He can be reached at 379-1828.

Tom Darcy will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from 2/24 - 3/1. He may be reached at 379-1076.
Paul Laymon will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management from 3/1 - 3/19. He may be reached at 379 - 1077.

Tom Medema will be the acting Superintendent from Tues. 2/21 - Fri. 2/24.
Randy Fong will be the acting Deputy Superintendent from Tues. 2/21 - Fri. 2/24.
Ken Watson will be acting wilderness manager for Feb 21-24th. If you have any questions feel free to give him a call. Ed will be available via cell phone if necessary.  
Kevin Killian will be the acting Chief Ranger Feb. 17-24 while Charles Cuvelier is out of the park on leave.

Rachel Lewis will be acting Wilderness Patrol Supervisor from Friday February 17th, 2012 through Sunday February 26th. Rachel can be reached at the Wawona Ranger Office at 375-9520.
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.
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.