Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Thursday, March 10, 2011
Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, March 10, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
HAPPENING TODAY
The Kick off meeting for the 2011 Spring Opening of Tioga Road Corridor will be today, March 10, in the Large Break Room in El Portal from 10:00am to 12:00 noon. Please attend if you have any concerns or issues that need to be addressed. Please send me your concerns so I can address with the correct information for you at the meeting. (T. Brochini - 3/9)
PARK AND PARTNER NEWS
Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
High temp: 47° (March 5)
Low temp: -1° (March 4)
New Snow: 14 inches
Total settled snow depth: 74” as of March 9
Ski Conditions and Weather: It was yet another stormy week here in Tuolumne. Three separate storms hit us, bouncing back and forth between warm days and cold days. Trail breaking is moderate, sinking in about 6 inches. Not much spring skiing yet, the new snow is still wet and heavy and turns aren’t very good. We need a break from this stormy pattern, and an extended period of warmer weather, for the snow to set up more firmly.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.
Wildlife: Very few tracks were seen through the copious amounts of snowfall but the usual critters are still out and about; mainly Pine Marten, weasel, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Chickaree, and Coyote, along with many tiny rodent tracks. Birds seen and heard this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, and Clark’s Nutcracker.
Questions: Power and phones are out of service indefinitely. Come prepared, there is no electricity or phone service at the ski hut. (K. Younger - 3/10).
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report - 3/10
Base Depth: 107 ” – 112”
Temperature: High: 56, Low: 37
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Rabbit, Badger, Turtle
Groomed XC trails: Fresh tracks from Badger Pass to Glacier Point on Monday morning (March 7). Fresh tracks to Bridalveil Campground on Wednesday night (March 9). (S. Costello - 3/10)
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El Portal Road/Big Oak Flat Road Intersection Sewerline Repairs
Project starts March 8 and will be complete by May 27, 2011. Expect intermittent five-minute delays with one lane of traffic. However, be prepared for 15-minute delays. The small parking lot at the intersection will be closed. Most of the work will occur in the parking lot adjacent to the intersection. (M. Pieper - 3/9)
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) and Agreement Technical Representatives (ATRs)
If you receive an automated email referencing a contract or agreement for which you are acting as a designated COR or ATR it means that in the near future you must either take steps to continue the contract or agreement OR close out the action. Please check your file before contacting the appropriate Contracting or Agreements Specialist. You will likely be able to determine what next steps you must take and the time frame for same. If you still need assistance please call the Contracting Officer or Agreements Specialist for the action. (L. Schafer - 3/10)
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New Annual Ethics Training Requirement for All DOI Employees
DOI is now requiring all employees to receive ethics training annually. You may choose from several options to satisfy your annual ethics training requirement. Your options include:
-- Live classroom training. I'll be facilitating 4 sessions throughout the remainder of the year as follows:
April 27, 10:00-12:00 - Valley Admin Lobby
May 12, 9:00-11:00 - Windowless Conference Room (El Portal)
Sept 14, 1:00-3:00 - Valley Admin Lobby
Nov 15, 10:00-12:00 - Large Breakroom (El Portal)
Each session is posted on the Ethics and Employee Behavior Sharepoint site calendar (which may be accessed from the Sharepoint Homepage)
--You may read the Ethics Guide for DOI Employees, January 2009 and email me self certifying that you read the Guide. You may access the Guide on the Ethics and Employee Behavior Sharepoint site (under Shared Documents) located on the Park's Sharepoint Homepage.
--Online ethics training from any of the websites listed below - AND - Read the Ethics Guide for DOI Employees (above)
http://training.nbc.gov/
http://www.usda-ethics.net/
http://www.doi.gov/ethics/
http://oneinterior.doi.net/
I'm also available for work group sessions if you so choose. Whichever option you choose, you'll need to copy your supervisor on your "proof of training," as she/he'll need to enter it into your DOI Learn transcript. Training must be completed by Dec 31 each year, e.g., your 2011 training requirement must be met by Dec 31, 2011. And yes, All Employees, including those NOT needing computer, network or building access, now have an annual ethics training requirement. (That's partly why there are several non-computer based training options.) Any ????s - feel free to contact me. (T. Hawkins - 3/10)
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Please welcome Jody Auerbach as Yosemite's new Branch Chief for Contracting & Procurement
Jody started her Federal career with the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), Social Security Administration as a Hearing Clerk and later a Legal Assistant in Portland, OR. She went on to become the Hearing Office Systems Administrator and Purchasing Officer. After 8 years at OHA, Jody accepted a position with US Fish and Wildlife as a Contract Specialist, responsible for procuring supplies and services for several approximately 10 field offices. After 2 years as a Contract Specialist, she accepted a position as the Contracting Officer for Grants and Agreements, responsible for processing approximately 350 actions yearly. While in this position Jody trained others on contracting duties and provided grants and agreements training at several offices in California. Before leaving FWS, she was involved in the design and development of a visitor's center outside Las Vegas, NV. Jody has been with Yosemite National Park as a Contracting Officer since August 2010, and we are excited about talent and expertise Jody will bring to this Branch Chief role. (K. Tuovinen - 3/9)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
Dean Shenk (372-0620) will be Acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Field Operations March 7-11.
Mary Kline will b e Acting Chief of Interpretation and Education March 7-11.
Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger 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 call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Vendors and Musicians wanted for El Portal Spring Fling
Contribute to the fun at the El Portal Spring Fling on April 23 by being a vendor or participating in the afternoon Local Music Showcase. Vendors please contact Rosemary at 379.2665 to reserve a table ($25). Musicians contact Todd Newburger at (209) 573.0785 to inquire about performing. (M. Carr - 3/10)
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Yosemite Team in Relay For Life
The Yosemite community has a team to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life in Mariposa on Saturday, May 21 at the Mariposa Fairgrounds. Our team is named "Yosemite Hike For A Cure." If you would like to participate on the team, or make a donation to the Team or a Team Member, please contact me at 372.1227 or go to: www.relayforlife.org/
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Private Rental:
3262 Usona Ridge Road Mariposa, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath House on 7+ acres
on a private road $750.00/month. Please contact Jerry at 966-5847. (C. Baker - 3/10)
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Seasonal Housing Needed (for my dog)
I'm looking for an individual/family to board my 6-year-old flat-coated retriever, Picasso, for my season (mid-April through October) working as a Wilderness Ranger. He LOVES people, kids especially, and has lived with other animals without problem. I hope to be able to see him fairly often and take him along on backpacking trips in Forest Service wilderness areas on some of my weekends. I plan to pay $200/month, though more could be negotiated if the right person requests it. If interested, please phone (209) 559-9207 or email
. (J. VanDragt - 3/9)
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