Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, September 15, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuolumne Meadows
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
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HAPPENING TODAY
Town Hall Meeting in Tuolumne
The ELT town hall meeting in Tuolumne has been rescheduled for today, Sept.
15th from 9-10:30 am. It will take place in the area behind the ranger station. Please send any agenda items to Kristen Kosick. The ELT looks forward to meeting with you! (K. Kosick - 9/15) _______________________________________________
Segments of Northside Drive Reduced to One Lane Starting today until further notice, segments of Northside Drive will be
reduced to one lane between the Wood Lot and Pohono Bridge. Expect very
minimal traffic delays due to construction activity along this road segment. See full description under CONSTRUCTION UPDATE below. (M.
Wichmann - 9/14)
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Non-emergency Purchase Deadline Today
Reminder: The last day for fiscal year 2011 non-emergency purchases from the warehouse is September 15, 2011. Any warehouse purchases needed after this date will require an email approval by your Division Chief (or his/her
designee) to the acting Supply and Property Management Branch Chief, Karen Kolbeck. The email must also contain the account number(s) to which the approved purchases will be charged. (K. Kolbeck - 9/12)
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Sewer Main Rehabilitation
The NPS has hired Erick Ammon Inc., (Anderson, CA) to rehabilitate approximately 2 miles of the 40 year old main sewer under Northside Dr.
between Bridalveil Falls View and the Big Oak Flat Rd. / El Portal Rd.
intersection. Starting today until further notice, segments of Northside
Drive will be reduced to one lane between the Wood Lot and Pohono Bridge.
Expect very minimal traffic delays due to construction activity along this road segment. The El Portal Rd. will be reduced to one lane between Pohono Bridge and the Big Oak Flat Rd. / El Portal Rd. intersection. Traffic lights will be utilized to assist with traffic management along this road
segment. Expect up to 10 minute delays in this construction zone.
Thank you in advance for your continued patience as the NPS rehabilitates
this old sewer main. This project is currently scheduled to be
complete before Thanksgiving. Please drive carefully in all construction
zones. (M. Wichmann - 9/14)
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PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS
Yosemite National Park Hosts Special Naturalization Ceremony at Glacier Point - news release Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Thirty two people will become naturalized United States citizens at Yosemite’s famous overlook on Friday, September 16, 2011. This special ceremony commemorates Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, which honors the many contributions of naturalized citizens.
The ceremony will feature high level Department of Homeland Security officials from Washington D.C. providing remarks and administering the Oath of Allegiance to the new citizens. The diverse group of newly naturalized citizens hail from around the world, including the countries of Mexico, Fiji, Cambodia, Russia, Guatemala, and many others.
The new citizens will be joined by their family and friends as they celebrate the end of their journey of becoming American citizens. This will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Glacier Point Amphitheatre. Joining in this special event are Lori Scialabba, Depurty Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Washington D.C., Superintendent Don Neubacher, officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the newly naturalized U.S. citizens and their families. The naturalization ceremony will include Yosemite’s Mounted Patrol conducting the flag ceremony amid the spectacular views from Glacier Point. (K. Cobb - 9/15) _____________________________________________________
Eighth Annual “Yosemite Facelift” Volunteer Event to be Held in Yosemite National Park September 21-25, 2011 - news release Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Climbing Association invite the public to participate in the “Yosemite Facelift” being held on Wednesday, September 21 through Sunday, September 25, 2010. This annual event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association to help clean up the park after the busy summer season. Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter at various locations in the park, including roadways, in the river corridor, on trails, near climbing routes, and in parking, camping, and lodging areas. Events and presentations honoring Yosemite’s climbing history will be held throughout the weekend.
Last year, over 1,000 Yosemite Facelift volunteers collected 172,307 pounds of trash, with over 140,000 pounds of it being old asphalt and concrete.
Over 80 percent of the trash collected was recycled. More than 160 miles of roadway were cleaned, as well as over 100 miles of trails and 20 miles of river corridor.
Interested volunteers should sign up at the booth in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 21st through Sunday, September 25th. A second check-in station will be located at Lembert Dome Parking Area in Tuolumne Meadows. The Tuolumne Meadows booth will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Friday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 25th. Crew leaders will be at the booths to organize work groups and hand out trash bags, gloves, and litter sticks.
Trash must be returned to the booths each day by 5:00 p.m. to be weighed and sorted.
Each participant will receive a raffle ticket for every day they volunteer.
There will be a raffle held each day of the event at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center booth at 5:00 p.m. An end of event reception will be held on Sunday, September 25th, and will include complimentary food and beverages, and live music by Little Brother.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, please contact Ken Yager at
yageryca@gmail.com or visit the Yosemite Climbing Association website at
www.yosemiteclimbing.org.
Individuals who are unable to participate during the cleanup, but would still like to help, may make a tax deductible donation to help pay for costs associated with the cleanup effort. Donations can be made to the Yosemite Climbing Association at P.O. Box 89 Yosemite, California 95389.
(K. Cobb - 9/14)
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Yosemite Fires - Update #18
The lightning storms over Yosemite National Park continue in the afternoon hours. Another fire was discovered today (Dark Hole fire). All the fires are staffed and there are no smoke impacts. This information will continue to change as more fires are found.
Suppression fire zone; all fires will be put out.
Gin: (37 47.467 x 119 46.897; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co.) A single tree was struck by lightning. This fire is in timber. One quarter acre has burned with open flame visible.
Aspen: (37 47.648 x 119 46.691; 5,700’el. Tuolumne Co.) This fire is on the east side of the South Fork of Tuolumne River. A single tree was struck by lightning, and is smoldering and creeping through surface fuels.
South Fork: (37 48.099 x 119 46.065; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co.) It is located on the west side of the So. Fork of the Tuolumne River. A Single tree strike and is creeping and smoldering through ground fuels.
Valley: (37 48.189 x 119 46.297; 5,577’el. Tuolumne Co.) Single tree strike, creeping and smoldering through timber litter. It is a south aspect with a creeping 10’x10’ spot with flame lengths less than 6”.
Gulch: (37 51.4 x 119 46.8; 5,800’ el. Tuolumne Co.) A single tree strike and is creeping in timber and brush.
Wilderness Zone:
Dark Hole: (37 50.877 x 119 37.702; 8,500’el. Mariposa Co.) This fire is east of White Wolf and south of Tioga Rd. It was discovered September 13.
A single tree was struck and the fire is creeping through forest litter and duff. Thirty percent of the perimeter is active.
Ribbon: (37 46.264 x 119 39.291; 8.500’el. Mariposa Co.) This lightning strike was to a single tree in red fir. It is approximately 2 miles east of Cascade Creek. It is a 30x30 spot fire and .10 acre has burned.
Firefighters are collecting data and monitoring this wilderness fire for multiple objectives.
Cascade: (37 45.879 x 119 41.846; 7,700’ el. Mariposa Co.) A single green tree was struck in red fir east of Cascade Creek in designated wilderness.
A 10x10 spot is smoldering and creeping through timber litter.
Firefighters are collected data and monitoring this fire for multiple objectives.
Quartzite: (37 43.478 x 119 24.468; 9,000’el. Mariposa Co.) It is approximately 1 mile south of Merced Lake and is inactive due to heavy rain.
Adair: (37.42.675 x 119 23.986; 8,600’el. Mariposa Co.) It is 2 miles west of Washburn Lake. It is approximately 4.6 acres in size, and is smoldering in red fir needle cast and forest duff; 5% of perimeter is active.
Avalanche Fire: (N37 39.794 x W119 42.238; 6,400’el. Mariposa Co.) The
1,068 acre fire is controlled and in patrol status. Light smoke continues to be visible at the top of Avalanche Creek.
Other fires:
Eagle: This fire was on the Stanislaus National Forest and near Eagle Peak and was extinguished.
For additional Information: Fire Information and Education -
Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov; (209) 375-9574 or (209) 372-0480. Yosemite Fire Management Website:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm. (G.
Wuchner - 9/14)
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Yosemite National Park Announces the Invasive Plant Management Plan Update Finding of No Significant Impact is Available for Public Review - news release Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Kari Cobb 209-372-0529
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announces that the Invasive Plant Management Plan Update Environmental Assessment (IPMP
Update) Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is available for public review. The decision of the National Park Service (NPS) to adopt a plan for protecting park natural and cultural resources from non-native invasive species is described in the Selected Action of the FONSI. Alternative 2 of the IPMP Update ( Add Four Herbicides and Address Limitations of Existing Plan ) has been determined not to have a significant effect on the human environment.
The purpose of the IPMP Update is to build upon the 2008 Invasive Plant Management Plan (2008 IPMP) in order to better protect the park’s natural and cultural resources from invasive plants. Like the existing plan, it provides a framework for programmatic invasive plant management decision-making, and continues invasive plant management efforts that were began in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The IPMP Update adds four herbicides for use in the park and addresses limitations in the 2008 IPMP. Individual patch size and density limits for herbicide use, which limited ability to treat infestations while they are still small were removed. Also, methods were refined for treating invasive species in sensitive areas such as traditional gathering areas, near water, and in designated wilderness.
The IPMP Update was available for public review from December 15, 2010 through January 30, 2011. Public comments and NPS responses are documented in the Invasive Plant Management Plan Update Plan Public Comment and Response Report. Clarifications, corrections and changes made to the IPMP Update following its release and public review are described in the Errata Sheets. The documents mentioned here are available electronically through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment system (PEPC) at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=347&projectId=23812.
Implementation of the 2010 Update will begin in September of 2011. Work plans, which notify the public about the times, locations, methods and tools for planned management efforts, will be posted for public review before the start of each treatment season. These plans are available on the Invasive Plant Management Program web page at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/invasive-plant-management.htm.
More information about the Invasive Plant Management Program Plan can be accessed from the Yosemite at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/invasive.htm. Printed copies of the FONSI are available, and requests can be submitted by mail to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attention: Invasive Plant Management Plan Update, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389; or fax
(209) 379-1294.
Yosemite National Park will host the next monthly Open House on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Valley Visitor Center Auditorium behind the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Copies of the FONSI will be available. Park staff will be present to answer questions regarding this and other park planning efforts. (K. Cobb - 9/14)
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
All-Employee Party
The end of summer all-employee party will be held on Thursday, September 29th at 3:30 at the El Portal Community Hall. All employees are encouraged to attend. There will be awards, dinner, the YEA bar, and a band! Come out to celebrate another successful summer season with your fellow employees!
(K. Kosick - 9/14)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Elexis Mayer will be Acting Division Chief of Project Management on September 16. She may be reached at 379-1377 or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson at 379-1202.
Vickie Mates will be Acting Chief of Interpretation and Education from 9/12
- 9/16.
John Barton will be Acting El Portal Utilities Supervisor through 9/18. His number is 379-1828.
Kristin Ramsey will be the Acting Branch Chief of Interpretive Services from Sept. 1 to Sept. 19.
Dale St. Vincent has been selected as the acting Administrative Officer until the AO position is permanently filled.
Karen Kolbeck has been selected as the acting Supervisory General Supply Specialist. Karen can be reached at 379-1028.
Ron Watson has been selected as the acting, Supervisory IT Specialist until the position is permanently filled. Ron can 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.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Yosemite Valley Child Care Center Hiring The Yosemite Valley Child Care Center is now hiring for a full time teacher position. For further information please call Jennifer at (209)372-4819 or email
ynpchildcare@gmail.com. (J. Cooley Beavers - 9/14) ______________________________________________________
Golf Tournament to Support Wawona School Come support Wawona School’s Eighth Annual Celebrity Scramble Golf Tournament at the Wawona Hotel Golf Course - Saturday, September 24, 2011.
The festivities kick off at 8:30 AM with a continental breakfast reception and putting competition, followed by a shotgun tee-off at 10:00 AM.
Contests will be held throughout the tournament. There is even a hole-in-one challenge with an opportunity to win a new car! After a day on the course, players will be treated to a wine reception and BBQ dinner at
4:00 PM on the hotel lawn. Non-golfers are invited to attend the BBQ -
adults: $20, children: $10. The event will culminate with a raffle and an auction featuring overnight lodging packages, a Sony DVD player, Canon Camera, a flat screen TV, and more! The cost is $150 per golfer and includes greens fee, golf cart, breakfast, lunch and BBQ dinner. Please contact Wawona School at 375-6383 for registration information and dinner tickets. All event proceeds will help keep Wawona School open this year!
Thanks, in advance, for your support. (M. Stauffer - 9/15) _____________________________________________________
6th Street Cinema
Located upstairs in the historic Old Masonic Lodge on 6th Street, in downtown Mariposa. Entrance is $7 per film for non-members; non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12 allowing film entry for $3 each.
More information is available on the website:
www.sixthstreetcinema.org.
This week, September 16-17 (Friday - Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.: The Tempest.
(T. Arfsten - 9/14)
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Houses for Rent
1. Bootjack area, Very nice, Energy efficient 2bd, 2bth, home with separate 2 car garage on 3+ acres. 1282 sq. ft. home with wood stove & propane heating, swamp cooler, refrig/freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer.
Quiet area with great views. Applications and references required.
Available now. Rent $1000.00 per month. $1500.00 security deposit. Call Dennis at 209-966-5807 or email
bux@sti.net.
( K. Keheley - 9/15)
2. Single-wide 1 bedroom/1 bath trailer. Located on East Whitlock Road (Mariposa). Furnished or unfurnished. Please call Mary Ellen for more
information: (209) 742-6293. Y. Radanovich - 9/15) ____________________________________________________
Housing Needed
I need housing quick! My
name is Wesley Wills, Archeological Technician here is YNP.
I am single, have no pets, very little stuff, and I’ve been living in the area for the past three and a half years. I can play you a song, or keep quiet, and I’m clean. I'm looking for a single room, apartment, or multiple bedroom apartment or house preferably close to my work station in El Portal. A shared house or apartment is fine. If you know of any openings or have a place available please contact me at 951-809-3624 or email me at
wwills3379@hotmail.com. ( W. Wills - 9/15)
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Reminder from the Housing Office
Private rentals submitted to the Housing Office can be found on:
. (Y.Radanovich - 9/15)
