Yosemite Photos, Video and News

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Roadside Brushing - Work Along the Glacier Point Road
World Liberty Contract Services has been awarded the contract to remove
encroaching brush along the Glacier Point Road, and will be mobilizing
Friday, October 1. Motorists should anticipate brief traffic delays between
Badger Pass and Glacier Point on weekdays in October. Staff may view
further descriptions of the work:
Employees can find additional information about this work on Sharepoint:
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/intp/Shared%20Documents/Planning,%20Project,%20and%20RMS%20Fact%20Sheets/Roadside%20Brushing_9.10.pdf
 (B. Mattos - 10/01/10)
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Invasive Blackberry Control in Rancheria - Beginning 9/27
Himalayan blackberry control operations will be taking place beginning
Monday Sept. 27thwest of El Portal Road to Foresta Bridge including
Rancheria and the trailer village. Crews will be gridding and mapping all
blackberry encountered. If blackberry occurs in the yards of residences a
poster will be hung up at the residence giving notice of our intention to
treat the blackberry in the week beginning 4 October. Away from residences
the treatments will be concurrent with the survey and mapping operations.

Himalayan blackberry is an introduced exotic pest that infests our creeks
and displaces our native vegetation. More than 100 acres of valuable native
plant habitat in Yosemite have already been impacted. The berries also
attract bears, and bring them closer to human habitat. The removal of
Himalayan blackberry is a HIGH priority in Yosemite.

Crews will treat plants with a dilute concentration of glyphosate
(Round-Up) that will be noticeable with blue dye. Sprayed areas will be
noted by a CAUTION sign. The blue dye will be visible for a few days. The
plants will take a few weeks to die back and should not be cut or clipped
until completely dead. If you have questions or concerns, please contact
the invasive plant crew leader Heather Smith (209) 742-3825, and/or
invasive plant program lead Martin Hutten at (209) 379-2006. (M. Hutten -
9/24/10)
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Painting begins at El Portal Apt. Complex-Beginning Monday October 12th
Lamcon-Mear will be prepping and painting the exterior surface of El Portal
Apartment complexes 741 and 742.
This project is expected to continue until Friday October 22nd. If you have
any questions please contact Kevin Keheley (Acting Project Manager)
at 209-379-1169, you may also leave a message with Tara Hawksley at
209-379-1061. Please note notices to occupants originally stated that the
project would start on 10/004/10 and last until approximately 10/15/10.
However due to current weather conditions the date have been
changed.(M.Thornley 10/06/10)

Construction Update

Contractor PBS&J will be surveying and mapping floodplains in the El Portal
and Wawona areas from September 20 to October 8. This work is being done in
support of the Merced River Planning effort. (J. Roche - 9/21/2010)
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Tioga Trailheads Project (October 4 [Dependent upon re-opening of Tioga
Road through this winter closure] - Allison Sierra Inc. (contractor) will
begin work on October 4, 2010 at the Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes Trailhead. At
that time they plan to close off the whole parking lot to rehabilitate
these areas. Contractors may begin barricading off segments of the Yosemite
Creek parking area on Friday, October 1 to allow people the weekend to get
their vehicles moved or to alert hikers not to park their beyond Monday.
Hikers will be directed to the nearest parking areas which are very close
by.

The purpose of this project is to address site maintenance and design needs
that improve visitor safety and experience while protecting natural and
cultural resources.

There are eight formal trailheads included in this project: Gaylor Lakes at
Tioga Pass, Mono Pass, Snow Creek, May Lake/Weston Pond, Porcupine,
Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes, Lukens Lake, and Tamarack Flat/Aspen Valley. This
effort does not include Sunrise or Murphy Creek trailheads (Tenaya Lake
Area Plan), nor Dog Lake and Cathedral Lakes (Tuolumne River Plan) as these
are addressed in other planning efforts.

This year work will occur on the following trailhead areas. Work will
continue this fall until they complete all of the following locations or
until weather forces an end to the work. Next year's work will include the
remaining trailhead segments within this project as listed above.

2010
1.) Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes(Beginning October 4, 2010)
2.) Gaylor Lakes
3.) Snow Creek
4.) May Lake Turnoff
5.) Tamarack Flat/Aspen Valley
(M. Ortiz -10 /05/10)
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Wawona Utility River Crossing Replacement (September 13 through November
30, 2010)
Candelaria will be replacing utilities under the South Fork of the Merced
River in Wawona (near the Wawona Fire Station).  Work consists of in-kind
replacement of two 10-inch water mains and electrical conduit that was
damaged in the 1997 flood.  Construction within the river bed shall be
completed by October 15, 2010 (low water flow). (D. Engelstad - 10/04/10)
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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)
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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.

        This week: Suntrek is finished with wall 1 and ready to run
        conduit to wall 1 inverters. Suntrek will also move up to the
        freshly painted carports and start installing panels on them in
        the next 2 weeks. The paint crew is continuing cleaning, etching,
        priming and painting the carports starting at carport 4 and
        working west. With the rain over the weekend, the paint crew was
        only able to put in a couple hours on Sunday.
        Upcoming weeks: Next week the contractor will be painting and
        building forms and pouring concrete for the inverters and
        transformers.
        Parking : There should be more parking available in the next few
        weeks as carports are painted. The contractor wants to start work
        on the parking deck where employees park their government vehicles
        starting Oct 14th. The hope is that enough of the painted carports
        will be ready for regular parking by then. The contractor also
        wants to start concreting in the columns in the parking area
        farthest west across from the gas pumps next Thursday Oct 7th.
        Alternative parking spots will be available just east of the gas
        pumps.

There has been over 700 panels installed so far with over 2,000 to go!

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. Please remember to park Government vehicles in appropriate
locations and avoid taking over the limited parking available for personal
vehicles (perimeter of complex). (M. Ortiz - 10/04/10)
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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.
**Today's locations of work: Today, there will be work in the area between
Wawona and a mile north of the Wawona Campground on grading and the bus
turnout.

-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 - 10/04/10)
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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 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 continues.
(M. Ortiz - 9/24/10)
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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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Wawona Meadow Restoration (through November 2010)
The south side of the Wawona Meadow Loop trail will be closed from 7:00am
to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday during meadow restoration. This temporary
closure is likely to be in effect through November, 2010.  (A. Freeman -
9/08/2010)

Park and Partner News

Ranger Shelton Johnson Receives National Award: Join the park's leadership
team in extending our congratulations to Ranger Shelton Johnson who
recently received the William C. Everhart Award from Clemson University.
He was awarded this honor for "sustained achievements in interpretation
that have illuminated, created insights to, and fostered an appreciation of
our cultural and natural heritage." This award is part of the annual George
B. Hartzog, Jr. Lecture and Environmental Awards Program that was first
held in 1980. Congratulations Shelton! (C.Mattiuzzi 10/06/10)
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Join Reseources Management and Sciences Division for October's Yosemite
Forum Lecture series on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the  East Auditorium,
Yosemite Valley, noon to 1 p.m. October's topic will be The Mechanics of
Yosemite Valley Rockfalls:  Insights and New Techniques with Dr. Brian
Collins, U.S. Geological Survey. Rockfalls in Yosemite Valley are a common
occurrence and are responsible for many of the natural features that draw
visitors to this area.  However, rockfalls also present a natural hazard to
visitors, employees, and park infrastructure.  Dr. Collins will present
recent and ongoing rockfall research using new analysis and monitoring
techniques, such as laser scanning, remote structural analyses, and crack
instrumentation, that get at the heart of rockfall detachment from Yosemite
Valley’s walls.  Simple physics-based analogies will be used to illustrate
how these new techniques are providing vital data for understanding how
rocks slide, fracture and topple from the seemingly strong granite walls of
Yosemite Valley.(M.Thornley 10/06/10)
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Fire Update #28-Yosemite National Park experienced over 1,220 lightning
strikes Oct. 1-4, leading to at least 15 fire starts. On Oct. 1, the Long
Gulch and Smokey Jack fires were discovered by helicopter reconnaissance.
On Oct. 2 the Coyote fire was discovered. On Oct. 3, the Smith, Middle,
Dome, Mono, Turner, Alder, Chilnualna, and Crescent fires were also
discovered by helicopter or visitor reports to dispatch. On Oct. 4, the
Wawona, Canyon Ranch, Aspen, and Mather fires were discovered by park
personnel or visitors. The park's fire management team is waiting for the
wet weather to end to identify which fires have potential in drier weather.

Fires in the Suppression Zone: The Middle, Aspen, Canyon Ranch, Smith and
Mather fires occur with the park’s suppression zone and will be
extinguished.

Fires in the Wildland Fire Zone: The 10 other October fires are in the
wildland fire zone, where fires can be managed for multiple objectives.
Note:  Yosemite fire management has not flown a reconnaissance mission
since Sunday so there may be other fires burning in the park.  However
given the wet weather and the duration of the weather system, this could be
our season-ending event.  Fire Management will evaluate all fires in the
wildland fire zone when low pressure moves out of the region.

Summer’s Earlier Fires:  The Slope and Vernon fires have been burning since
mid-summer. 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 and filling key pieces of the fire
mosaic. Crews were removed from both fires on Sunday due to the intense
lightning activity.  Fire Management will also evaluate the potential of
the Slope and Vernon Fires when it dries out.
For more information, see Yosemite's "Current Fire Activity" webpage at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm (G. Smith, 10/06/10)
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Dan Wenk named Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park- National Park
Service Director Jonathan B.  Jarvis has appointed Daniel N. Wenk as
Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park.

Wenk, who has served as the agency’s deputy director of operations since
2007, will take the helm of the world’s first national park in early 2011.
The 35-year NPS career veteran replaces Suzanne Lewis who is retiring from
the post she has held since 2002.

“Dan is a superb manager, well-grounded in every aspect of park
operations,” Jarvis said.  “He has led our efforts to protect and preserve
the resources entrusted to our care, ensuring that decisions are based on
sound science and research and that the voices of stakeholders are heard.
Dan has also had incredible success working with partners and communities
to identify and achieve common goals.   He is perfectly suited to take on
the challenges and opportunities of Yellowstone and to lead the park into
the future.”

“My first job in a national park was in Yellowstone in 1979.  To return as
superintendent to where I first learned what it means to be responsible for
our nation’s treasures, is a distinct honor,” Wenk said.  “Yellowstone is
the iconic destination for more than 3 million visitors from across the
globe every year.   Its very existence speaks to the values that led
Americans more than 100 years ago to start setting aside places of great
natural beauty and historic importance for all to enjoy.  Caring for these
places is a privilege, and I look forward to working with the park’s
outstanding staff and network of supporters and advocates who love
Yellowstone.”

Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America's first national park. Covering
2.2 million acres in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large
variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk.
Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a
collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and
the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  The human history of the Yellowstone
region goes back more than 11,000 years. It has an annual budget of $37
million and 860 employees.  Yellowstone’s 3 million visitors spend $ 345
million each year - and support over 6300 jobs in the local economy.

Wenk began his NPS career in 1975 as a landscape architect at the Denver
Service Center.  He returned as director of the DSC from 2001-2007 where he
oversaw the National Park Service’s centralized planning, design, and
construction services, and provided parks and regional offices with
services including contracting and project management.

From 1985 to 2001, Wenk was superintendent of Mount Rushmore National
Memorial in South Dakota.  As superintendent, he oversaw development of
natural and cultural resource management programs to ensure the long-term
preservation of the sculpture and the natural area of the surrounding
forest. His leadership was integral in the design, development, and
completion of a $60 million public/private partnership that raised $30
million in private donations and in negotiating two innovative concession
contracts for the construction of facilities valued at $30 million.

Wenk’s career accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards,
including the Meritorious Service Award, the second highest honor awarded
by the Department of the Interior.

Wenk earned a bachelor of landscape architecture from Michigan State
University. He and his wife Barbara have three grown children.(C. Lehnertz
10/06/10)
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Employment Opportunity: Yosemite Institute Program Coordinator: This is a
32-hour per week, year-round position with the Yosemite Institute. Yosemite
Institute is a nationally recognized leader in the field of experiential
environmental education, providing educational adventures in nature’s
classroom to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and
responsible actions to sustain it. Yosemite Institute is a campus of
NatureBridge, which conducts programs for more than 40,000 participants
annually at its four campuses:  Headlands Institute in the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area, near San Francisco, Olympic Park Institute in
Olympic National Park, Washington, Santa Monica Mountains Institute in
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, in the canyons above
Malibu in Southern California, and Yosemite Institute in Yosemite National
Park, CA.

The Program Coordinator (PC) is responsible for supporting the operation of
Yosemite  Institute  programs (transportation, meals, lodging, staffing and
scheduling) by performing various clerical functions.  The PC works closely
with  the  Director  of Operations (DoO) to ensure smooth program logistics
and  communication with school groups.  The ideal candidate is an excellent
communicator  and  incredibly  detail  oriented.  The  PC  is also the main
coordinator  for  the summer schedule, organizing all logistics surrounding
summer  programming and taking on more leadership responsibilities with the
DoO taking time off in the summer months.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Applicants interested in being considered for this position need to submit
a cover letter and resume including contact information for three
references, by 5:00pm, October 8, 2010. Invitations for interviews will be
extended to selected candidates after the application deadline.  Completed
applications can be sent electronically to: Program Coordinator Search, at:
yi@naturebridge.org.  If you have questions or would like to review a
complete job description, please write to
yi@naturebridge.org
or call 209-379-9514, ext.75.
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Yosemite
Institute and NatureBridge. (P.L.Schmidt 10/06/10)
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Bear Facts
September 26 –October 2, 2010

Weekly Total

                |  # of         |  Damage
                |  Incidents    |
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Parking Lots  |  0            |  $0
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Campgrounds   |  2            |  $240
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Other Areas   |  3            |  $155
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Backcountry   |  0            |  $0
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Total         |  5            |  $395

Yearly Total

                |  # of         |  Damage
                |  Incidents    |
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Parking Lots  |  135          |  $52,263
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Campgrounds   |  174          |  $10,311
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Other Areas   |  137          |  $32,571
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Backcountry   |  18           |  $2,351
 ----------------+---------------+------------
  Total         |  464          |  $97,496

*Additionally there have been 60 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 September 26 –October 2, 2010

            |  1998     |  2010     |  Percent     |  2009     |  2010     |  Percent
            |           |           |  Change      |           |           |  Change
 ------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+-----------+-----------+--------------
  Incidents |  1,455    |  464      |  -68.11%     |  456      |  464      |  +2.43%
 ------------+-----------+-----------+--------------+-----------+-----------+--------------
  Damage    |  $621,083 |  $97,496  |  -83.30%     |  $67,129  |  $97,496  |  +45.24%

There have already been 22 bears hit, and 7 killed by vehicles this year.
Please obey speed limits and pay attention while driving!

BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY
Bears are still active in Yosemite Valley and Crane Flat.  Bears have
entered unsecured buildings on several occasions and obtained large food
rewards.  Leaving windows, doors, and garages open encourage bears to enter
these structures to demolish them and obtain huge food rewards.  Bears
historically repeat and escalate this behavior after the initial food
reward which too often leads to the animal having to be destroyed.  Don’t
let your guard down because peak visitation is winding down.  As residents
it is our responsibility to do our part in keeping these animals wild.
Close that window, door, and garage before you leave, it might save a
bear’s life.

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.

WEEKLY INCIDENTS BY LOCATION

                       |  # of
                       |  Incidents
 -----------------------+----------------
  Middle Cathedral     |        2
  Rock                 |
 -----------------------+----------------
  Crane Flat           |        1
 -----------------------+----------------
  Tuolumne Meadows     |        2

INTERESTING BEAR FACT
All species of bear have 42 teeth except for the Sloth bear who have only
40.  Permanent teeth are usually in place by the time a bear is
approximately two and a half years old.(V.Seher 10/05/10)
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A Call to All Park Artists -  The Yosemite  Art and Education Center is
hosting  'From Our Point of View', a venue for the wide range of amazing
art work produced by Yosemite Employees and Residents.  The show will be
open for the month of November at the Art and Education Center and is open
to any artist living or working in Yosemite National Park.  Any media is
welcome, painting, drawing, fiber, photography, recycled art.  Two original
pieces per artist, ready to display, please.  Any questions?   Please call
Aline Allen, 372-1442, or drop by the Art and Education Center.  Not an
artist yourself but know some one who is?  Help spread the word,  encourage
them to join in and then come and see the show in November. (A.Allen
10/05/10)
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A weekend of art in the park!  Come join 2 time Renaissance’s winner Andie
Thrams & Yosemite Conservancy for WATERCOLORS IN THE WILD
Painting in wild places is powerfully transforming, yet working outdoors
can be overwhelming. A series of studies designed to get us working with
ease in the wild will focus on autumn forest flora.
During gentle forays outdoors, we will collect ideas and experiment with
drawing and painting techniques using watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil.
Our projects and demonstrations will include field-friendly approaches for
mixing accurate colors, using thumbnails to generate effective
compositions, seeing and capturing gesture, form, detail, light and shadow,
and painting in layers with both care and wild abandon to conjure up a
sense of complexity found in wild habitats. You’ll leave with a series of
methods for happily getting to work with speed and freedom to create images
in the field as well as strategies to get enough down on paper to enable
completion later on.

DATE: Friday – Sunday October 8 – 10, 2010
MEETING PLACE: Girls Club
MEETING TIME:  8:30 am

Call Holly at 379-2317 x17 for more details.  REMEMBER NPS goes for a small
materials fee.  This is great opportunity for novices and pros. (H. Kuehn -
10/04/10)

  Acting Designations

Danny Schaible is acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture &
Landscapes for October 6, 2010.  He can be reached at 209-379-1295.Danny
Schaible is acting Branch Chief for History, Architecture & Landscapes for
October 6, 2010.  He can be reached at 209-379-1295.(M.Thornley 10/06/10)
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Acting A.O. designations for the following dates:  Lorene Schafer (x1873)
from Oct. 5-8.  (P. Lendvay Humphrey x1007) (P. Humphrey - 10/4/10)
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Sue Beatty (379-3290) will be Acting Branch Chief of Vegetation and
Restoration Oct 4-8. (J. Weaser - 10/1/10)
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Jun Kinoshita is Acting Branch Chief for Anthropology beginning Friday
October 1 through October 15. (L. Kirn - 10/1/10)