Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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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)
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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: The entire Suntrek/PIA crew worked to finish
        off the roof 1 (storage building) panel, conduit, conductor
        installation.  The Suntrek crew has now installed over 400 panels.
        There are  2,420 panels to go. Roof 1 will have all of its panels
        installed by Sunday so the crew can concentrate on the inverters
        and conduit runs to the roof 1 inverters.
        (Thursday - Sunday): This week September 16-19 -   Suntrek will go
        back to the installation of panels on the walls in front of the
        machine shop (walls 1 and 2). The carport crew (Baha) has augured
        most of their 9 foot deep footings and should be able to bang out
        the last few this coming week.  The Carport columns are set in the
        recently augured footings and are ready for this week's concrete
        pour.  We expect 10 concrete trucks at the complex for pier
        foundation pours this Thursday (Sept 16).
        Parking: Tape barriers have been set up to allow parking Mon, Tues
        and Wed but the parked vehicles will not have access to the whole
        parking space and part of the parked vehicle will stick into the
        street a few feet more than normal, because of the carport columns
        being in place and obstructing part of the parking spaces, Please
        drive very slowly in the construction areas. It would probably be
        a very good idea Sept 16 and 17 to park your vehicles in the dirt
        parking along the river as there will be a massive amount of
        concrete truck and construction activity around the
        carport/Planning trailer areas. (D.Coon - 9/13/10)

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 - 9/7/10)
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Wawona Road Rehabilitation (May 3 - November 2010):
**Please use caution when driving along the Wawona Road - there are a
number of locations with unpaved surfaces.
CHANGE IN SCHEDULE:
Wawona Road Construction Delays Extended to Include Friday and Saturday
Nights. Work is scheduled to occur between Sunday nights at 9:00 pm and
Saturday mornings at 6:00 am. Additionally, work will occur on Saturday
from 9:00 pm - Sunday morning at 6:00 am. 60-minute delays are scheduled
nightly from 11:00 pm - 6:00 am.  Although wait times are scheduled, expect
overall slow travel times through the construction zone (due to following a
pilot car, driving over unpaved areas, and waiting in lines of traffic) to
increase beyond what is scheduled.

-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). (J.Friesen McCabe - 9/13/10)
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Integrated Utility Master Plan [IUMP] (to be completed by the end of 2010)
River Crossing and Meadow Work Underway - Removal of Old, Abandoned
Utilities Embedded in the River and Within Meadows
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:
     Areas within 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 - 9/2/10)
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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)
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Park and Partner News
Yosemite Fires – Update #22
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 surface areas of accumulations of
dead and down vegetation.

The Slope and Vernon fires to date have been burning for nearly six weeks
in areas with little or no fire history.  Both of these fires have aided
significantly in restoring forest health by the return of fire to the
landscape.  The fires have been managed and monitored with little
intervention by firefighters, allowing the fires to move in natural
directions

Smoke production and impacts continue to be minimal for both fires.

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: (37 54.572 x 119 40.924; 6900’ el., Tuolumne Co).  The Slope fire is
to approximately 1213 acres. The fire activity continues to be low in
growth and spread due to cooler temperatures and higher humidities. Fifty
percent of the perimeter is active, mostly to the south and east. The fire
is poised to enter into the 1999 Morrison and the 1985 fires footprints and
has already burned around the 2005 Harden lake fire.  This fire continues
to fill in a key piece of the fire mosaic near the White Wolf area.  It is
burning in brush, timber and heavy accumulations of dead and down
vegetation.  This lightning caused fire began July 25. Light smoke may 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.
Five firefighters are assigned.  Five Yosemite Crew 7 firefighters are
assigned.

All trails to Pate Valley from the White Wolf campground area are closed
due to safety concerns to hikers and backpackers. Safety issues include hot
stump holes, snags, smoke and falling tree limbs.  Access to Pate Valley
and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River can be made from Glen Aulin.

Vernon:  (37 59.813 x 119 43.618; approximately 7000’ el., Tuolumne Co.)
The fire acreage is at 435.  It is creeping through brush and timber, with
flanking and backing movement with the most active perimeter to the
northeast. One foot flame lengths and low fire activity were observed by
fire monitors. Light smoke was dispersing to the northeast at 600’ above
the ground. 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. Four Yosemite Crew 6 firefighters are assigned.
The fire has crossed the trail to Lake Vernon from the Tiltill Valley
Junction from the south and the trail 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.

Other park fires:  The Tuolumne and Wildcat 2 fires are inactive and in
patrol status.

Weather:  Cooler temperatures will continue into the week of August 12.

“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/current_fire.htm
  Firenews:  http://www.nps.gov/fire/public/pub_firenews.cfm
  Inciweb California:  http://www.inciweb.org/state/5/
  NOAA satellite images of smoke:
     http://www.firedetect.noaa.gov/viewer.htm
  USGS regional webcam images of smoke movement:
     http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/swifers/pages/WebCam.htm (G.Wuchner -
     9/13/10)

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Volunteers Rock! Did you know that each season, Yosemite brings on eight
retired law enforcement officers and their wives to assist in a variety of
projects? The Desk Officers are an essential part of park operations and
they are all volunteers. They are responsible for answering the desk office
phone and taking non-injury accident reports, criminal reports, lost and
found reports and incident reports. They also assist in search and rescues
and even when they aren’t “officially working” they’re answering visitor
questions from their campsites in North Pines. Bill Sonka, one of the Desk
Officers, and a volunteer himself, has been serving since 2005 and is
responsible for coordinating the efforts of this program. Last week, we
also recognized Yosemite’s campground hosts at our annual volunteer
camphost recognition barbecue. Over fifty hosts have volunteered throughout
twelve of the Park’s campgrounds this summer. They do it all from checking
in visitors and answering questions to doing late night campground bear
patrols. Thank you to all of the desk officers and their spouses, the
camphosts and all of the other volunteers who help to make Yosemite rock!
(L.Prell - 9/13/10)

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Temporary Gas Station Closures. DNC vendor, Banks & Co., will perform
annual Air Pollution Control Department testing with Mariposa and Tuolumne
Counties on all four service stations. There will be short closures
required at each station with the following closing schedules. Note that
the listed times are estimates only.

     Wawona - Sept. 14 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Sept. 27 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM,
     Oct. 4 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

     Crane Flat - Sept. 15 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Oct. 5 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

     Tuolumne - Sept. 24 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

     Valley Fuel - Sept. 14 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Oct. 7 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. (Excerpted from DNC email
messages.) (W.Malone - 9/10/10)

This information will be kept available for review on the BRM/Concessions
Management Sharepoint Site until the testing is completed.
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Bike Rentals. Effective September 8, the Curry Village and Yosemite Lodge
Bike Stand hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.. The last bike
rental for the day will go out at 4:45 p.m. and all bikes must be returned
by 5:45 p.m.  (ACatamec/SCostello - 9/10/10))
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Yosemite Forum - The Yosemite Forum lecture series scheduled for Tuesday,
September 14, 2010 has been cancelled. (M.Thornley-9/10/10)
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Yosemite Press Release: Road Construction Delays Extended in Yosemite
National Park Extended Delays will include Friday and Saturday Nights

Road construction on the Wawona Road in Yosemite National Park began in May
2010.  In an effort to complete this project by November 2010, roadwork
will expand to include Friday and Saturday nights.  New hours will go into
effect tomorrow, Friday, September 10.

Visitors traveling into Yosemite via Highway 41/Wawona Road will experience
up to 30 minute delays Monday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
and on Fridays from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Thirty minute delays will also
occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Additionally, 60 minute traffic delays will occur every night of the week,
including Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Visitors should be aware that construction delays will now occur seven days
per week until the project is completed.   However, there will be no
traffic delays during the day on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m.

The project is currently improving 24.4 miles of the Wawona Road starting
from the South Entrance of Yosemite and ending at the junction of the
Wawona Road and Bridalveil Straight in Yosemite Valley.  This project
includes resurfacing, restoring, and rehabilitating the roadway, improving
drainage and grading, adding new signage and striping of the roadway.

For current information on this project and other road projects, please
visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm  or call
209-372-0200. (K.Cobb - 9/10/10)

Acting Designations
Mark Fincher will be Acting Wilderness Manager from Sept. 10-Sept. 23. He
can be reached at 372-0219. (M.Marschall - 9/10/10)
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Contracting Update:  Walt Schmidt will be the Acting Branch Chief for
Contracting & Procurement through 5 November 2010.  If you have contracting
related questions, don't already have a point of contact, and aren't able
to find the information you need at our SharePoint site (
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/admn/contract/default.aspx) please call Tom
Tobin at 379-1040. (L. Schafer - 9/7/2010)
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Historical Landscape Architect Kevin McCardle (379-1418) will be acting
Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes (HAL) on Mon. Sept. 13,
2010.
While attending/presenting at the Preserving Historic Roads Conference in
Washington, D.C. I will generally be available by cell phone at
330.715.4926. (D. Humphrey - 9/3/10)
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Tom Medema, Interpretation and Education Division Chief, will be Acting
Deputy Superintendent  September 7 through 30.  You may reach him at
372-0332. (K. Dera - 9/1/10)
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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, Ed Dunlavey will be the acting Operations Branch
Chief and Deputy Chief Ranger.

Employee News
Farewell Party: Yosemite's Rita McMurdy has accepted a position at John Day
Fossil Beds working in their IT Department. Rita is very excited about this
new adventure. Please join us for a farewell gathering on Wednesday,
September 15, 2010 in the Large Break Room from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm, finger
foods will be served. If anyone is interested in making a few comments
during the presentation at 3:45 pm please let Dan Sohn know by September 14
by phone 379-1173 or by email. (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 9/13/10)
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING:  The Fire Prevention Office will be conducting
Fire Extinguisher/Fire Prevention Training at the El Portal B&G Facility
Monday September 13th @ 0900 hours. There will also be training on Monday
September 20th @ 0730 hours at the Wawona B&G Facility. Training is open to
all NPS employees.   For Additional Information contact: Jack Alviso, Fire
Prevention Officer: 209-375-9541

As a reminder; the following course on fire extinguishers/Employee Roles
and Responsibilities for Fire Safety was due to be completed by all
employees per Superintendents Memo dated 6/7/10.  It is directed that
supervisors shall Develop an Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plan for
their respective workplace(s). Managers and Supervisors are to review the
Yosemite Fire Prevention Safety Policy and communicate the Fire Safety
requirements to their employees. Managers shall ensure that supervisors
have assumed or delegated a Safety and Fire Coordinator for every
workplace.

Fire Extinguisher Training can be obtained through DOI Learn, by CDs
available through the Fire Prevention Office or scheduled live training.
The DOI course is informative and takes about 30 minutes. They will need to
login to DOI LEARN and review their "My Required Courses" section to see
the assignment. You can find it at the DOI learn site after searching for
"Extinguisher" and the "2010 NPS Annual Fire Extinguisher Education" will
appear on the list. This will be a reoccurring training every year for
every employee required to meet Superintendent and OSHA mandates.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule training, please
contact the Fire Prevention Office. (J.Alviso - 9/13/10)
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Out of Office Reply Settings. Did you know that you can set your out of
office reply from Lotus Notes so that it will not respond to emails sent to
YOSE All Employees or from YOSE Daily Report? Click on the exceptions tab
when you enable your out of office message and select YOSE Daily Report
under the from category. Out of office replies clog inboxes and keep those
responsible for distributing all employee messages from receiving important
emails. (J.Friesen McCabe - 9/10/10)
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With the cool mornings and evenings, soon we will be thinking about
building those nice cozy fires to stay warm.  If you do burn firewood,
please remember the following:

  Use only dry and seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace.
  Stacking firewood away from your house or other structures will lessen
  fire danger, protect the housing unit from damage, and help prevent an
  invasion of rodents and pest.
  Cover wood with dark or clear tarps.  Blue tarps are not permitted per
  the Yosemite Residential Yard Care Policy.

The Yosemite Residential Yard Care Policy is posted on the NPS Sharepoint
Site: Administration/Housing/Policies and Procedures. (C.Baker - 9/10/10)

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 Training Announcement - NPS Special Park Use Training
 November  1-5, 2010

 WASO Special Park Uses Program Manager Lee Dickenson will be visiting
 Yosemite NP to present the “Fundamentals of Special Park Uses” training.
 The 36-hour course covers all aspects of Special Park Uses from First
 Amendment to Commercial Filming and Photography to Wireless
 Telecommunication Sites. Class includes a field exercise. Also included is
 a component on temporary food services and other health and safety issues
 related to Special Park Uses. DO-53/RM-53 is covered in depth, as well as
 36 CFR and NPS Management Policies 2006.

 There are a limited number of spaces available for this class.  The
 majority of the class spaces are being held for Yosemite NP staff and
 management.  Those individuals on the park staff and management who have
 been identified for full or part time participation in the course have
 been notified by email.

 Travel will be paid for by the benefitting account.  There will be no
 tuition charge.  A block of rooms is being held for this course at the
 Cedar Lodge in El Portal.  Cedar Lodge is approximately 3 miles from the
 class location.  The course will take place in the large break room in the
 El Portal Warehouse.

 Cedar Lodge
 9966 Highway 140
 El Portal, CA 95318
 Toll Free 888 742-4371 or 209 379-2612

 NPS Special Park Use Program
 http://inside.nps.gov/waso/waso.cfm?prg=185&lv=3

 If you have questions please contact Sean McCabe by email at
 sean_mccabe@nps.gov or by telephone on 209-379-1856. (S. McCabe - 9/10/10)

Community News
Young family with a cat seek 2-3 BR / 1+BA apartment or house to rent
starting mid to late fall. Ideally in El Portal or near a YART stop. We
will be in the area from 9/17 - 9/20 and would like to look at as many
properties as possible. Please e-mail at brandonthomasschultz@gmail.com to
set up a viewing. Thank you. (B.Schultz - 9/10/10)
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For Rent:  4 bedroom, 1-3/4 bath house, 50 minutes from El Portal.
Available fully furnished (even dishes!) for $1550/month or empty for
$1250/month, includes satellite TV.  Freshly painted, new carpet in almost
entire house, very clean!  Garage with opener, pool, woodstove, fireplace,
forced-air heat, evaporative cooler.   Secluded setting off good paved
road.  No smoking;  pets considered with increased deposit/rent.  Great for
family or several room-mates.  209-966-6644 or e-mail house@shearwalls.com
(C.Baker - 9/10/10)
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The 49er Festival Rocks on September 18th. The 2010 Groveland 49er Festival
is bigger and better than ever, with a great time for the children in our
shiny new Groveland Youth Center, include Petting zoo, Bounce house and
arts & crafts. These are all FREE.
     7:00am – Rebekah’s Pancake breakfast, Groveland Community Hall
     8:45am. – Airplane Fly-by directly over the parade route
     9:00am – 49er Parade right down Main Street (Highway 120)
     10:00am – Festival in Mary Laveroni Park featuring crafts booths &
     chili-cook-off
You will be entertained throughout the day by the music of Joni Morris and
Livin in the USA. There is plenty of beer, wine and other food on sale to
combine with the awesome chili. There are two auctions featuring magnums of
wine, SF Giants tickets, lodging packages, golf & lessons and dozens of
other really cool items. YNP will have a mounted parade entry as well as an
information booth.  For more info (209) 962-0429 (B.Asquith - 9/13/10)
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Groveland this week:
09/17 STCHS Monthly History talk with Harold Basey at the Groveland
Community Hall. The Life of Bears will be presented by "Mr. Sierra Nevada"
our hometown naturalist-ranger-biologist, Harold Basey who has spent a
lifetime studying and teaching about bears.  **Note the program is on
FRIDAY this month** For more information visit
grovelandmuseum.org/STCHS.html

09/18 Annual 49er Festival and Chili Cook Off! The biggest party of the
year in Groveland, airplanes, food, music, parade, kids events and oodles
more! YosemiteChamberofCommerce.com

09/25 For Fabulous Blue Notes" At the Pine Mountain Lake Lounge!  8 p.m. to
Midnight! Admission is free. pinemountainlake.com

09/27 Card Stamping Party with Stamp'n up Cindini @ Hotel Charlotte.
Celebrate your craftiness with us at our monthly card stamping party. Good
for cards, scrap booking and general decorating. $25 includes supplies for
3 finished cards, instruction and a 3-course lunch, beverages, tax and tip
included.
For more information contact Cindi 209-962-4660. HotelCharlotte.com

09/29 Evergreen Prom Theme Night at Evergreen Lodge. Admission is free! For
more information, call (209) 379-2606 or visit evergreenlodge.com (Hotel
Charlotte - 9/13/10)