Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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Last HaPY Volunteer Program For the Season
Volunteers Rock! The Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY) program is
wrapping up its busy summer season today, Wednesday, September 1. This is
the only available drop-in volunteer program in the park, which allows
visitors the opportunity to volunteer for three hours on a Wednesday
morning with a Ranger from RMS. They meet in front of the Valley Visitor
Center at 9 am and typically work on invasive plant removal projects that
are within walking distance. Please spread the word so that we have a great
turn-out for HaPY's final day of 2010! The Volunteer Field Office in
Yosemite Valley has been taking shape this summer through the hard work and
dedication of John and Ruth Heine, volunteers extraordinaire. They have
facilitated numerous groups to paint the interior and exterior of the
building and work on renovations along the way. The Volunteer Field Office
is located in the annex of the Yosemite Lodge along the bike path near the
river. Yosemite is grateful for John and Ruth and all of the other
exceptional volunteers who serve every day! (H. Boothe - 8/30/10)
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Road Maintenance: The Mather road crew will be conducting road maintenance
in the Tuolumne Meadows area, expect short traffic delays. (B. Brantley -
8/31/10)

Construction Update
Tioga Road - Culvert Work with Minimal Delays (August 18 through mid-
September, 2010)
A contractor began work cleaning out culverts along Tioga Road on
Wednesday, August 18th. Work began at Crane Flat and is moving east. This
project will continue for approximately 3-4 weeks. Work will occur Monday -
Friday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. Expect up to 15 minute delays along the Tioga
Road during this project. (M. Ortiz - 8/30/10)
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Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station Improvements (August 16 - November 2010)
Abide International (contractor) began work Monday, August 16 to upgrade
the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Work will last approximately three
months. Expect slight delays at the kiosk during this time. The entrance
will be upgraded with new area lighting, a new security camera system, new
doors and reconditioned windows, and new HVAC system along with other
improvements that will bring the entrance station up to date in energy
efficiency and security.  (M. Ortiz - 8/30/10)
******************************************************
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:  Contractors (PIA and Suntrek) started
        mounting 240 watt solar modules this weekend on wall 5 (south of
        the Machine Shop). The park received over a thousand modules
        (solar panels) on Saturday, August 28.  The contractor is working
        quickly to install modules before the next shipment of 1000
        modules comes in 2 weeks. There is only so much room in the
        lockable warehouse, therefore the ones that are in there now have
        to move out fast.
        (Thursday - Sunday): This week September 2-5 - Work will continue
        on wall 2 (Machine Shop) for solar racking. Modules (solar panels)
        will continue this week to be mounted on roof 1 (Warehouse area)
        and wall 2 (Machine Shop). Work will continue near the Planning
        Trailer on carports 2,3 and 4.  A new drill rig is due this
        Thursday to try again to drill the pier footings for the carport
        columns.
        Parking: Parking will be restricted to "No Parking" on Thursday -
        Sunday in the area near the Planning Trailer for work on the
        carports. Appropriate signage will be in place indicating which
        spaces are closed to parking.

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: Renewable Solar Energy generated by this project
will support the operations of the Wastewater Treatment facility which
plays a vital role in effectively treating wastewater that is generated by
park facilities. (M. Ortiz - 8/30/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (May 3 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are many
locations of unpaved surfaces.

     *Today's locations of work (9/1): Today there will be placement of
rip rap in the area that runs from the Glacier Point Road intersection
(Chinquapin) to Bridalveil Fall.
     *Tonight's locations of work:  Tonight, there will be paving in the
area that runs from the Wawona Tunnel to Bridalveil Falls.  and work on the
Wawona Tunnel Primary Electrical System
Replacement about a mile south of the tunnel.
     *Tomorrow's locations of work (9/2): Tomorrow there will be placement
of rip rap in the area that runs from the Glacier Point Road intersection
(Chinquapin) to Bridalveil Fall.

-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 - 9/1/10)
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UPDATE: Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end
of 2010)
River Crossing Work Underway - Removal of Old, Abandoned Utilities Embedded
in the River
Mozingo Construction (contractor) is currently mobilizing for and working
on the river crossing - related portions of the project this week. You are
likely to see work near the Stoneman Bridge area (across from Curry
Village). Work with heavy machinery will begin each day at 9:00am - and
travel through areas such as Lower Pines Campground, North Pines
Campground, Housekeeping Camp will be essential in accessing the river
during certain portions of this project.

There are 8 different areas through the river corridor where contractors
will be removing abandoned utilities pipes and materials. These pipes are
embedded into the river, therefore it is a delicate process to remove them.
Contractors will work to minimize turbidity in the river during this
process and will be monitoring turbidity levels. Work will occur over the
next 2 months through mid-October.

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.

Other Areas of Work (both current and upcoming) include:
     The east end of Ahwahnee Meadow.
     Areas within Stoneman Meadow.

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 - 8/23/10)
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Wawona Tunnel Ventilation Repairs (ongoing)
Candelaria Construction (contractor) is continuing the installation of the
new ventilation and fire alarm systems throughout the tunnel. They are
approximately 90% complete. (M. Ortiz - 8/19/10)
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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
Hetch Hetchy Day Use Hours Changing Next Week: The Hetchy Hetchy day use
hours will be 8:00 am to 7:00 pm starting September 7th to October 31st.
(C. Flores - 9/1/10)
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REMINDER FOR TOMORROW
NOTICE OF PLANNED ELECTRIC SERVICE INTERRUPTION FROM PG&E
WAWONA COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
9:00AM-2:00PM
PG&E is planning a power outage for the Wawona community to repair
equipment on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2010 9:00am-2:00pm.
For additional information, please contact Heather Gonzales, PG&E Planned
Outage Coordinator at (209) 726-5588 (K. Bablitch - 9/1/10)
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YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY LABOR DAY WEEKEND SALE
All Yosemite Conservancy visitor center retail stores throughout the park
(except the Wilderness Centers) will conduct a storewide sale from Friday,
September 4th through Monday September 7th, in celebration of the Labor Day
holiday. All items will be on sale for 10% off list price, with current
Yosemite Conservancy Donors earning a 20% discount. (Theater Programs,
Donations, Permits, and Seminars are excluded. Discounts may not be
combined.) In this historic year of the merger of Yosemite Fund and
Yosemite Association, there is no better time to donate to Yosemite
Conservancy in order to “Provide for Yosemite’s Future”. (T. Arfsten -
8/31/10)
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Bear Facts
August 22-August 28, 2010

Weekly Total

                |  # of         |  Damage
                |  Incidents    |
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Parking Lots  |  11           |  $2,125
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Campgrounds   |  14           |  $532
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Other Areas   |  5            |  $1,060
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Backcountry   |  0            |  $0
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Total         |  30           |  $3,717

Yearly Total

                |  # of         |  Damage
                |  Incidents    |
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Parking Lots  |  122          |  $45,743
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Campgrounds   |  135          |  $9,350
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Other Areas   |  125          |  $31,846
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Backcountry   |  18           |  $2,351
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Total         |  400          |  $89,290

*Additionally there have been 53 bear incidents where a bear obtained trash
that was left out or from trash cans or dumpsters that were not secure.

Year to Date Comparisons for the Week of August 22-August 28

            |  1998     |  2010     |  Percent     |  2009     |  2010     |  Percent
            |           |           |  Change      |           |           |  Change
 ------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+-----------+-----------+--------------
  Incidents |  1,227    |  400      |  -67.04%     |  398      |  400      |  +0.01%
 ------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+-----------+-----------+--------------
  Damage    |  $537,429 |  $89,290  |  -83.39%     |  $55,461  |  $89,290  |  +61.00%

There have already been 16 bears hit, and 7 killed by vehicles this year.
Please obey speed limits and pay attention while driving!

WEEKLY INCIDENTS BY LOCATION

                       |  # of
                       |  Incidents
 -----------------------+----------------
  Upper Pines          |        6
 -----------------------+----------------
  Lower Pines          |        3
 -----------------------+----------------
  North Pines          |        3
 -----------------------+----------------
  Camp 4               |        5
 -----------------------+----------------
  Camp 6               |        2
 -----------------------+----------------
  Curry Village        |        3
 -----------------------+----------------
  Wilderness Parking   |        3
  Lot                  |
 -----------------------+----------------
  DNC Stables          |        1
 -----------------------+----------------
  Devil’s Elbow        |        1
 -----------------------+----------------
  Housekeeping Camp    |        1
 -----------------------+----------------
  Tuolumne Meadows     |        2

BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY
With 14 bears obtaining human food throughout the park on a regular basis
it can be said that this has been a very busy season.  25 -40 incidents
have occurred per week throughout peak season in August.

If you are visiting Yosemite, be aware that bears are extremely clever and
opportunistic.  It is your responsibility as a visitor to ensure that bears
do not get your food.  Please keep these animals wild by diligently
following all park laws.  If you see a bear during your visit please report
it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322.

INTERESTING BEAR FACT
During the late summer and fall seasons, Black bears enter a period called
“hyperphagia” where they can eat up to 20,000 calories and gain several
pounds per day.  They do this to prepare for dormancy in the winter season
when natural foods are unavailable. (V. Seher - 8/31/10)
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Yosemite Fires – Update #19 – August 30, 2010
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.

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.

New Fire:  Cloud (37 46.208x119 29.046; 9,500’ el., Mariposa Co.) This fire
was found by a hiker August 30, 2010.  The 20’x60’ fire has been determined
to be human caused (escaped campfire) by firefighters on scene, and will be
suppressed under a “confine and contain” strategy. The fire is
east/southeast of Cloud’s Rest, and smoke was visible from Glacier Point
and other park locations. To all campers and backpackers, please be sure
your campfire is dead-out, by drowning your fire with water before leaving
your campsites.

Slope fire: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  The Slope
fire is at 1007 acres.  The fire activity was low to moderate in spread,
and growth, due to much cooler temperatures. Fifty percent of the perimeter
is active, most to the northeast.  It continues to burn in brush, timber
and heavy accumulations of dead and down vegetation, through an area with
no recorded fire history.  This lightning caused fire began July 25.  Light
smoke is visible along Tioga Rd, White Wolf area, O’Shaughnessy Dam of the
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Rancheria trail area, and in the Tuolumne Meadows
area. Six firefighters are assigned.

The fire has crossed the trail from Harden Lake to Pate Valley and is
adjacent to all other trails to Pate Valley.   Consequently the decision
was made by Wilderness and Fire Management officers to close all trails in
the area to Pate Valley from White Wolf for safety to hikers and
backpackers.

Vernon:  (37 59.813 x 119 43.618; approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co.)
This fire has grown to approximately 395 acres. It is creeping through
brush and timber, with flanking and backing movement to the southeast.
Sixty percent of the perimeter is active.  This lightning caused fire is in
designated wilderness, and will be managed for multiple objectives,
primarily forest restoration. It is approximately three miles north of
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and one half mile south of Lake Vernon.  There is
significant lightning caused fire history near this fire; the most recent
being the 2006 Frog, and the 2005 Wapama fires. Five firefighters are
assigned.

The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley
Junction from the south and is closed.

Cooperators for both the Vernon and Slope fires include the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission, and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control
District.

The weekend’s unseasonable cold trough has aided in dispersing smoke, and
will continue to influence the fire areas through August 31.  A return of a
high pressure ridge will then bring higher temperatures and poor dispersion
of smoke until the Labor Day Holiday weekend, when cooler weather is
predicted.

“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
  Current Yosemite Fire Activity Online:
     http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/currentfire.htm
  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 -
     8/31/10)

Acting Designations
Kristina Rylands will be the Acting Division Chief for the Planning
Division from August 31 - September 3.  Kristina may be reached by
telephone at 379-1175 or if unavailable you may leave a message with Doyle
Harrison at 379-1110. (D. Harrison - 8/31/10)
****************************************************
Jay Shields will be acting Mather District Ranger from 8/29-9/4
Chris Smith will be acting Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger from 8/29-9/6
(K. Killian - 8/30/10)
****************************************************
Sue Clark will be Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program
Manager beginning Monday, August 30, 2010, through Friday, September 10,
2010.  Sue can be reached at 379-1115 or you may leave a message with Sarah
Henderson at 379-1202. (S. Henderson - 8/30/10)
****************************************************
Andy Fristensky (372-0599) will be acting Branch Chief for Interpretive
Field Operations August 27-September 7.
Carol Blaney (372-0445) will be acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Field
Operations September 8-10. (V. Mates - 8/27/10)
****************************************************
Tom Medema, Interpretation and Education Division Chief, will be Acting
Deputy Superintendent  September 1 through 30.  You may reach him at
372-0332. (K. Dera - 9/1/10)
****************************************************
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)
****************************************************
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.
****************************************************
Until further notice, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.
****************************************************
Until further notice, Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources
Officer - 209/379-1878.

Employee News

 Call for Nominations for the Yosemite Volunteer Awards - Deadline this
 Friday Sept 3!!!
 Over 9,000 volunteers serve Yosemite National Park each year, working with
 nearly every division and park partner.  Do you know one or more who's
 work stands out above the rest? Let's recognize them!

 Please nominate your outstanding volunteers in the following categories:
   Outstanding Volunteer Service – Individual
   Outstanding Volunteer Service – Youth (up to age 25)
   Outstanding Volunteer Service – Group
   Outstanding Volunteer Service -- Youth Group (most participants up to
   age 25)
   Enduring Service Award
   Yosemite Volunteer Program Award
   Yosemite Supervisor of Volunteers Award
   Yosemite Facelift Participant Award

 Award recipients will be recognized during Facelift, receive several
 goodies, and be nominated for the National Park Service Hartzog Awards.

 To be ready for Facelift, the deadline is short: Friday September 3.
 Anyone can nominate -- NPS, partners, volunteer, even the public. Get your
 nomination in today!
 The nomination packet can be found at Sharepoint
 >BRM/Volunteers-in-Parks>forms or by request from yose_volunteers@nps.gov.
 Call the VIP office with any questions: 379-1850. (H. Boothe - 8/31/10)
 ****************************************************
 Join Resources Management and Science Division for the Croaking Toad
 series on Thursday, September 2, 2010
 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. in the Large Break Room - NPS Administrative and
 Maintenance Facility, El Portal
 This month's presentation is:
 Invasive plant control in Yosemite: Resources Management and Science
 Staff, Martin Hutten, Heather Smith, and Laura Jones, will be giving a
 presentation on how the park is controlling starthistle and Himalayan
 blackberry.

 Presented by:
 Martin Hutten, Invasive Plant Program Manager
 Heather Smith, Herbicide Crew Leader
 Laura Jones, Biologist

 Resources Management & Science hosts the monthly informational series that
 addresses various natural and cultural resource issues that impact
 Yosemite National Park.  Please come to learn more about your park. (M.
 Thornley - 8/31/10)
 ****************************************************
 Save the date: 2010 Yosemite Hydroclimate Conference - Oct 7th and 8th,
 Cliff Room, Yosemite Lodge
 All employees are invited to come and hear presentations on the latest
 research being done in and around Yosemite on mountain climate and
 hydrology. A detailed agenda will be sent out in late September.
 Generally, the schedule is as follows:

 Thursday, October 7th - 9am - 5pm (general interest and overview
 presentations in the morning)
 Friday, October 8th - 8am - noon
 (J. Roche - 8/31/10)
 ****************************************************
 Attention all employees who dispense diesel fuel at the El Portal
 government fuel pumps.  There has been some recent vandalism to the diesel
 pumps at the El Portal government fueling site.  Please look at the fuel
 hose closely before turning on the pump.  We have been finding the nozzle
 and/or hose loosened, resulting in fuel spraying out once the pump is
 turned on.  If you observe any problems with the pumps, do not dispense
 any fuel and report the problem to Dan at  379-1260. (D. Clingenpeel -
 8/30/10)

Community News
FOR RENT: 2 bedroom 1 bath in town for $750.00 plus utilities.  Small back
yard for your gardening pleasure.  1 small pet allowed.Call 209-966-5847 if
interested (9/1/10)
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The Friends of the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona - News
The 14th Annual Book, Bake, and Craft Sale will be held on Labor Day
Saturday, September 4, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Wawona Bassett
Memorial Library parking lot.  ( Wawona Community Center if it rains)  Dave
Sischo birdhouses and carved birds will be available.  We will be accepting
handmade craft items until the day of the sale.  They may be dropped off at
the library in Wawona or you can call Pat at 209-375-6273 to make
arrangements to have them picked up.  Many great titles, both hardcover and
paperback, have been donated for the sale.  Paperbacks will sell for 3 for
$1 and hardcover books will sell for $1 each.  After two p.m. you may fill
a bag of books for only $1!  What a bargain!  Donated baked items may be
dropped off at the library the day before the sale or after 8 a.m. the
morning of the sale.  Wawona has the best bakers in the park!  Buy some
books and a baked treat for that quiet afternoon or evening of reading and
snacking.  We look forward to seeing you Saturday, September 4th  at the
Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona Book, Bake, and Craft Sale. (P. Sischo -
8/31/10)
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El Portal's Potluck Preschool will start the 2010-11 year on Monday Sept.
13th.  We meet every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at the preschool room
located at the Community Hall.  All ages 0-5 are welcome!!  A parent or
caregiver must attend with the child(ren).  Come join us for Circle Time,
Discovery activities, Art, Music, P.E. and Story.  All activities are
created and presented by our parents.  No experience necessary!!  The main
focus is to give the children the opportunity to have fun together and, in
the process, to learn to love learning.  If you would like more details or
have any questions, please call Bethany Gediman at 379-2960. (S. Gediman -
8/31/10)