Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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UPDATE - El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System (July 22, 2010 -
December 2010)
Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] started moving material
and equipment into the El Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. To minimize
potential traffic and parking problems, PIA has agreed to work Thursday -
Sunday.  The contractor's staging area is located by the Wastewater
Treatment Plant, where they will keep their material, equipment and tools.
        Last week - Update:   Working continued prepping for the module
        structures on Building J (Open storage/Archives) and excavation
        for conduit runs near the Planning Trailer. PIA/Suntrek also
        started work (drilling the wall anchors for module structures) on
        the wall surrounding the warehouse, and the uncovered storage area
        south of the Machine Shop.
        This week - Impacted areas (Thursday - Sunday): Everyone parking
        government vehicles near the Machine Shop side of the wall, please
        park elsewhere or at the very least, park your vehicle 20 feet
        back from the wall during the days of construction. The affected
        areas will be signed "No Parking" for those days. A small area
        near the Planning Trailer will also be signed "No Parking" during
        work days due to construction.
        Coming soon: Trenching for the new PV systems and work on the
        carports will continue through August. Work to begin setting the
        Photovoltaic panels will most likely not start until later in the
        month.

IMPORTANT - Get Creative to Avoid Extra Cars at the EP Complex : During
contracted work days (Thursday - Sunday) El Portal Complex employees are
strongly encouraged to carpool, use the bus, ride your bike or walk to work
during construction days as there will be a noticeable decrease in parking
during construction. Specific locations of work will be posted throughout
the project. NOTE:    Please remember to park Government vehicles in
appropriate locations and avoid taking over the limited parking available
for personal vehicles (perimeter of complex).

INTERESTING PROJECT FACT:   All products including solar panels, inverters,
racking, conduit, wiring, combiner boxes, and metering equipment are
manufactured in the U.S.A.  (M. Ortiz - 8/9/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (June 1 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are many
locations of unpaved surfaces.

Paving work has begun on the Wawona Road. Contractors started north of
Wawona Campground, and they will be alternating lanes every night going
north. Just south of Chinquapin, the waterline is being placed so there is
no pavement there.
     UPDATE:
     *Today's locations of work:  Today, there will be placement of curb
     in the area that runs a half mile north of the South Entrance to
     approximately a mile north of the Wawona Campground.
     *Tonight's locations of work: Tonight, there will be paving in the 6
     mile section that runs south of and north of the Glacier Point Road
     intersection (Chinquapin), as well as work on the high-voltage
     electrical system that runs a mile south of the Wawona Tunnel (this
     work contains approximately 3,000 feet and will take about 6 weeks to
     complete).  There will also be work on  the water system improvements
     at the Glacier Point Road intersection (Chinquapin).

-For all Yosemite road construction information and updates, visit the
park's website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm

-For daily traffic control updates, call the park information line at (209)
372-0200 (then press 1, and 1 again). (M. Ortiz - 8/11/10)
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UPDATE: Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end
of 2010)
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently working on the removal of
abandoned and old utilities south of Superintendent's Bridge near the
bicycle path. The bike path may be closed intermittently due to work
utilizing heavy equipment. The removal of abandoned utilities is a large
part of the IUMP  work in Yosemite. IUMP utility replacement work involves
the relocation of old failing utilities (water, power, sewer) from
sensitive environmental areas and relocating the new utilities into new
integrated utility corridors underneath roads and pathways. This allows
meadow and wetland habitat to revert back to pristine conditions

Allison Sierra (ASI) was awarded the contract for the new North Pines sewer
lift station project that is to start shortly before the campground closes
for the season. Stay tuned for more information as the project time nears.
(M. Ortiz - 8/11/10)
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Wawona Tunnel (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) is continuing the installation of the
new venitlation and fire alarm systems throughout the tunnel. (M. Ortiz -
8/3/10)
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Tecoya Housing (to be completed by October 1, 2010)
Allison Sierra (ASI) [contractor] will be working in the Lower Tecoya area
to replace old and failing water, sewer, and power lines and remove them
from sensitive ecological areas. This contractor (ASI) was also awarded the
contract for the new North Pines sewer lift station project that is to
start shortly.  (M. Ortiz - 7/26/10)

Park and Partner News
Yosemite Fires – Update #10 – August 11, 2010 (Trails in Harden Lake area
are now open.)
The lightning caused fires of July and August continue to burn in Yosemite
wilderness and are being managed for multiple objectives.  This means fire
managers and firefighters may use less aggressive or minimal actions where
the fire is accomplishing benefits on the land.  For example, the fire may
burn the understory of trees, ridding the area of accumulations of dead and
down vegetation.

All fires listed are being monitored and data are being collected, i.e.
fuel moistures and weather, to determine what actions will be taken.  In
wilderness areas, Minimum Impact Management Tactics (MIMT) are utilized by
using natural barriers of rock and lakes, or utilizing trails and past
fires thereby lessening the use of aggressive hand tools, i.e. chain saws.
Utilizing the minimal tool and natural features further reduces the work
needed to rehabilitate the fire area.  Firefighters do this without
diverting their attention from the safety of themselves or the public.
These adjustments firefighters make to effect minimum resource impacts are
essential if the spirit of wilderness and National Parks is to be
maintained.

Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  There was no
significant growth and the acreage remains at approximately 600 acres.
Winds from the southwest are moving the light smoke to the northeast. Smoke
may continue to be visible along Tioga Rd, White Wolf area, O’Shaughnessy
Dam of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Rancheria trail area, and in the
Tuolumne Meadows area. The fire remains a creeping surface fire through
duff and other down vegetation. The most active part of the fire is to the
east, and northeast. The mixed conifer forest is on a north aspect, with
cedar and white fir trees, down tree limbs and compacted short needles as
the predominate vegetation.  Fire resources have been reduced to 15 fire
monitors.

**All trails in the Harden Lake area are now open.  The immediate Harden
lake area is open to hikers for day use only. Hikers are reminded to stay
on trails through the fire area.

The National Weather Service is predicting unseasonably favorable air smoke
dispersion for the Slope fire, with no long term air stagnation in the
forecast through the week. Early morning smoke may be present down the
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, with clearing by late morning.

Cooperators include the San Francisco Water Quality and Public Utilities
Commission at Hetch Hetchy, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control
District.

New Fires:
Vernon:  (37 59.813 x 119 43.618; approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co. -
This fire is the result of the thunderstorm activity on Sunday, August 8,
2010.  It was found by the park helicopter on Monday, August 9, and
reported to be a 20x30’ area, with a single tree being hit by the
lightning. This fire is in designated wilderness, and is approximately
three miles north of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.  Firefighters will be in the
Vernon fire area today.  There is significant lightning caused fire history
near this fire; the most recent being the 2006 Frog and the 2005 Wapama
fires. The fuels in this area are predominately red fir.

Clark Fire:  37 40.925 x 119 29.873: at approximately 7,000’ el., Mariposa
Co. -  This 2 acre fire,  although in designated wilderness, is being
suppressed (put-out) as it was determined to be human caused.  It is
between Star King and the Clark Range. Helitack and other fire crews were
on scene, August 10, and will remain until the fire is out.

Other fires:
The Tuolumne and the Wildcat fires are both inactive.

“The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public,
communities and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources and
restore and maintain ecological health.”

For Additional Information:
  Fire Information and Education Office:  (209) 372-0480
  Yosemite Online: www.nps.gov/yose/fire
  Firenews:  http://www.nps.gov/fire/public/pub_firenews.cfm
  Inciweb California:  http://www.inciweb.org/state/5/
  NASA satellite images of smoke:
     http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php?subset=AERONET_Fresno.2010208.aqu
  USGS regional webcam images of smoke movement:
     http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swifers/pages/WebCam.htm (G. Wuchner -
     8/11/10)
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Yosemite National Park Announces the Completion of Ecological Restoration
Projects
Projects Include Habitat Restoration, Meadow Restoration, and Boardwalks
Over Sensitive Meadows
In the past several years, Yosemite National Park has completed a wide
variety of ecological restoration projects throughout the park.  These
projects are designed to protect the ecosystem while still providing
visitor access and enjoyment.  Several projects are ongoing in the park and
include a wide variety of park ecosystems such as meadows, invasive plants,
social trails, and wetlands.

“Yosemite National Park is known throughout the world for its stunning
beauty and diverse ecosystems. It is important to preserve these qualities
and reduce the impacts that people have had on Yosemite National Park over
the years.  These restoration projects restore functioning ecosystems while
still providing access to visitors.  We are proud of the work that has been
accomplished and will continue to focus heavily on restoration projects in
the future,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher.

Several examples of recently completed ecological restoration projects
include:
     Lukens Meadow Restoration (2008): The primary goal of this project
     was to restore natural ecological and hydrological processes at
     Lukens Meadow and enhance wilderness character by removing 2,000 feet
     of human caused impacts in the meadow, redirect foot traffic from the
     meadow to a pre-existing forest trail, and restore the nearly 3,000
     square feet of bare ground at the far end of the lake.
     Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias (2007): Restoration and protection
     of the giant sequoias included mitigating trampling on the sequoia
     roots and other vegetation, as well as reducing soil erosion.
     Placement of mulch and downed branches and logs helps the soil to
     absorb water making it available for sequoias and other vegetation,
     decreasing soil erosion and soil compaction and keeping visitors from
     impacting natural resources by discouraging off-trail use.
     Happy Isles Dam Removal (2006): The purpose of this project was to
     restore the free-flowing character and pool-riffle morphology of this
     reach of the Merced River through the removal of Happy Isles Dam and
     associated diversion structures.

Examples of ecological restoration projects completed over ten years ago
include:
     Tenaya Lake Walk-in Campground Restoration (1998): The walk-in
     campground was closed in 1990 due to water and sewage system issues.
     Restoration of the campground area included removing campground
     infrastructure, revegetation and soil decompaction.
     Mirror Lake (1997): The objective of this project was to consolidate
     multiple social trails, improve ADA access, decompact soils,
     revegetate denuded areas, protect cultural resources, provide
     interpretive information and improve visitor services.
     Stoneman Meadow Boardwalk (1994): This project restored and protected
     Stoneman Meadow through the removal of social trails, the
     construction of a boardwalk across the meadow and fencing to protect
     the meadow from continued impacts.

Various ongoing ecological restoration projects in Yosemite National Park
include:
     Wawona Meadow Ecological Restoration: The purpose of this project was
     to restore wetland hydrology by filling in ditches constructed by the
     CCC in 1936. Asphalt removal on the Wawona Meadow Loop trail will
     help facilitate water conveyance into the meadow.
     Cathedral Peak Route Delineation: This project will mitigate and
     reduce the ecological and wilderness impacts from multiple social
     trails that lead up to the popular climbing peak by delineating a
     single trail.
     Harden Road Removing and Restoration: This project will remove 1.5
     miles of abandoned road near Harden Lake, allowing the park to
     recommend designation of 38 acres of potential wilderness to
     Wilderness status. This project connects with the 2009 Yosemite Fund
     project, Re-wilding Harden Spur Road, which reduced ¼ mile of the old
     road to a single-track trail and removed non-historic debris from the
     area. Together, the two projects will re-establish natural topography
     where possible, improve hydrologic function, restore wilderness
     character and improve the wilderness experience of visitors hiking
     out of the White Wolf area.

Yosemite National Park strives to maintain the park’s ecosystem and let
natural processes prevail.  As human impacts have occurred since the park
was established, these restoration projects seek to restore the natural
balance of the park.  Yosemite National Park will continue to conduct these
restoration projects with the goal of resource protection while still
providing for visitor access and enjoyment.

For more information about restoration efforts in Yosemite National Park
please visit:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/environmentalfactors.htm or
http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/research-and-studies.htm.(K. Cobb -
8/11/10)
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Annual Big Time Gathering: The local community and general public are
invited to attend the 37th annual Yosemite Big Time Gathering being held
this year August 14th & 15th, 2010. This event takes place in the Village
of Ahwahnee located behind the Yosemite Museum and Visitor Center. The
songs and dances of Native Californian dance groups will be presented both
days. Local vendors and others will display/sell their arts and crafts in
the employee parking area across from the Village. This is a good
opportunity to enjoy, learn, and support the heritage of Native Californian
Peoples. For this event, gov't and personal vehicles are asked to be moved
from the gov't employee parking area by 6:00pm Friday evening. Questions?
Contact Phillip Johnson - 209/372-0303. (P. Johnson - 8/10/10)
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Yosemite National Park to Waive Entrance Fees on August 14 and 15
Yosemite National Park, along with all other national parks across the
country, will offer free entrance on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August
15, 2010.  This fee free weekend is a great opportunity for people to visit
and enjoy America’s public lands.

Fees being waived for the August 14 and 15 weekend include only the fees
associated with entrance into Yosemite National Park. All other fees
associated with camping, lodging or activities within the park are not
waived. The fee waiver is good for August 14 and 15 only. (K. Cobb -
8/10/10)
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Archives Closure Next Week: The Yosemite Archives will be closed the week
of August 16-20.  For emergency access, please contact Jonathan Bayless
(379-0282) or Barbara Beroza (372-0297). (B. Lissoway - 8/10/10)
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING:  The Fire Prevention Office will be conducting
Fire Extinguisher/Fire Prevention Training at the Tuolomne Ranger District
Office on Wednesday August 25th @ 1300 hours. Training is open to all NPS
employees.   For Additional Information contact: Jack Alviso, Fire
Prevention Officer: 209-375-9541. (J. Alviso - 8/10/10)
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GALEN CLARK TRIBUTE: Friday, August 13th, 8 p.m. at Le Conte Memorial
(Valley Shuttle Bus Stop 12). Free admission.
Come hear Yosemite Conservancy's Tom Arfsten portray Galen Clark, in this 1
hour program offered by the Sierra Club. Galen Clark, known as "Mr.
Yosemite" in his time, is famous for "discovering" the Mariposa Grove, for
persuading people of influence to create the Yosemite Grant, for opening
the first tourist "hotel" on the site of the Wawona Golf Course, and for
being Yosemite's First Guardian, administering the Yosemite Grant well
before the National Park Service was even conceived. A friend an
inspiration to John Muir, hear Galen Clark reminisce about his life in this
informative, poignant, and humorous performance, this Friday evening. Come
early, seating is limited. (T. Arfsten - 8/10/10)

Acting Designations
Tolley Gorham will be acting Communications Branch Chief while I am on
annual leave 11-13AUG10. (D. Thorpe - 8/11/10)
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Jim Donovan will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning Division
August 13th, 16th and 17th.  Jim may be reached by telephone at 379-1450 or
if unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle Harrison at 379-1110. (D.
Harrison - 8/11/10)
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Mike Wichmann will be Acting Division Chief of Project Management from
Monday, August 9, 2010, through Wednesday, August 11, 2010.  Mike can be
reached in his El Portal office at 379-1139, in his Yosemite Valley office
at 372-0424, or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson at 379-1202.
(S. Henderson - 8/10/10)
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Randy Fong will be Acting Division Chief of Project Management from
Thursday, August 12, 2010, through Friday, August 13, 2010.  Randy can be
reached at 379-1022, or you may leave a message with Sarah Henderson at
379-1202. (S. Henderson - 8/10/10)
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Niki Nicholas, Chief of Resource Management, will be acting Superintendent
from August 6-August 15. (D. Neubacher - 8/2/10)
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Jessica Middleton is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology & Archeology 8/9
through 8/13. (L. Kirn - 8/9/10)
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Gretchen Stromberg will be Acting Branch Chief for the Design Branch of
Project Management Division from Monday, August 9 through and including
Wednesday, August 11, 2010.  She can be reached at 379-1006.  If o On
Tuesday or Wednesday, August 10 & 11, 2010 Gretchen in not available you
may also leave a message  with Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (T. Radmacher
- 8/5/10)
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Russ Kish will be acting Trails Supervisor Aug. 4 - 18.  Russ can be
reached at 209-742-3540.(S. Baudaux - 8/4/10)
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The following staff will be Acting A.O. while Katariina is out of the park
from July 29 -  August 17, 2010. Lorene Schafer, August 9 - 13, (379-1873),
Dayna Jackson, August 16-17 (379-1872).  (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 7/29/10)
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Until further notice, 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 also try calling at 379-1282 or 379-1104. (J. Bayless -
6/3/10)
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Until further notice, Lorene Schafer (379-1873) will be the Acting Chief
for Contracting and Procurement . If you have contracting related questions
and don't already have a point of contact, please call Helli Tucker at
379-1368. Please continue to route purchase request (PR) packages to Lorene
for Acquisition Approval in IDEAS.
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Until further notice, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.
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Until further notice, Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources
Officer - 209/379-1878.

Employee News
PARKING ADVISORY FOR BIG TIME GATHERING - AUG. 13-15
The park is excited about the upcoming Yosemite Indian Big Time Gathering,
August 13 - 15, 2010.

Please be advised that all government and personal vehicles and equipment
must be removed from the Yosemite Valley Maintenance Building's parking lot
(east of the SAR Cache and south of the fueling pumps) by COB Thursday,
August 12, 2010.

 Additionally, please remove all personal vehicles from the area due west
of the Village of Ahwahnee (along the fence) to allow for event staging.

Thank you, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping to clear these
locations, so that event participants may begin gathering to set up by
Friday afternoon, August 13, 2010.

Eric Gabriel, Yosemite Valley District Ranger, is the primary logistical
point of contact for this event should you need to discuss questions or
concerns.
Phone: 209-201-6573 or through park dispatch 209-379-1992.
(Superintendent's Office - 8/11/10)
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Resume Workshop - Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 9 am to 11 am - in the EP
Administrative Building; Large Breakroom.  This is your opportunity to hear
about the latest tips in creating excellent applications for employment
with the federal government.  Hardcopy documents and information CDs will
be provided.  Paul Sheehan, Human Resources Specialist for SEKI will be
presenting the workshop which is open to all NPS staff and park partners.
Please contact your supervisor for prior approval to attend this workshop.
Any questions, please call the Human Resources Office at 379-1805. (C.
Whitten - 8/10/10)

Community News
FOR RENT:  3 Bedroom / 2 bath home.  Stove and refrig.  Two story /outside
storage building.  Located on Highway 140 in Midpines.  $825 /month +
utilities.  209 377-8450; (cell) 209 564-6546. (Y. Radanovich - 8/11/10)
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El Portal Music Festival
When: August 14
Where: El Portal Community Hall
Time: Doors open at 5:30. Music starts at 6:30.
Mark your calendars for the “(not quite) 10th Annual El Portal Music
Festival” with special guests The Heavy Guilt, a San Diego-based roots band
featuring El Portal favorite Al Howard. After the band, DJ 5Min_Crush
(Dylan Macintosh) will be filling the dance floor with his unique blend of
electro dance rock. Look for updated announcements with more artists and
ticket price in the coming weeks.
Tickets will be available at the door. A delicious Mexican meal will be
available for purchase from Angel and Norma at the event from 5:30 – 8:30.
Cash bar provided by YEA. No outside alcohol permitted.  Sponsored by
ElPortalLive and the El Portal Community Association. (M. Carr - 8/10/10)
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NOURISHING THE SOUL
When: Sunday August 15, 2010
Where: Downtown Yoga, Mainstreet Mariposa
Time: 10am-1pm
What: Yoga, Reflective Journal Writing, Locally Produced and Catered Meal -
Instructor:  Heather Sullivan
Theme:  Abundance
Cost:  $40 or trade
Please contact Heather for meal count or questions:  heathasulli@yahoo.com
Join us for a wonderful morning of community, creativity, conversation and
connection.  Great thing to do morning after El Portal Music Festival! (H.
Sullivan - 8/10/10)
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Looking for an inexpensive, yet reliable, vehicle that will fit a large
toobox in it. If you have any leads, please email brenna.eagle@yahoo.com.
Thanks! (B. Eagle - 8/10/10)