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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, May 15, 2012

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. 
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 86. 
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. 
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuolumne Meadows
Today: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. 
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Yosemite Forum Today
Please join us in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium from Noon to 1 p.m., on May 15, 2012 for this month's Yosemite Forum. The topic will be From Catastrophic Birth: The Civil War Origins of Yosemite Park. our lecturer will be David Hickman, PhD, Adjunct Professor, UC Davis. (D. Smith)
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Flags at Half-staff Saturday
In honor of Dana Bruce, seasonal maintenance worker at Blue Ridge Parkway, I have ordered all American flags to be flown at half-staff at all NPS areas, excluding the National Mall, on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from sunrise to sunset. Dana was killed in an accident on Monday, May 7, 2012, while mowing vegetation at the Haw Creek Overlook on the parkway north of Asheville, North Carolina. -NPS Deputy Director of Operations, Peggy O'Dell. (J. Trust)
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Yosemite Mounted Patrol School Graduation
Everyone is invited to the 25th Yosemite Mounted Patrol School Graduation Ceremony at the Ahwahnee Horse Training Grounds on Friday May 18th beginning at 10 am. The students have worked very hard this year. Invite your friends and families to an exciting event. (B. Patrick)
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Croaking Toad Thursday
Please join us at the El Portal Warehouse Large Break Room on May 17, 2012, from 8 - 9 a.m., for The Croaking Toad Lecture Series: The House that Mather Built: The Ranger's Club, presented by George Jaramillo, Historical Architect. (D. Smith)
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NPS Travel Authorizations
I am temporarily off duty due to a shoulder injury. Please print off all authorizations and have them signed. Upload the front page and give the authorization to the employee. We will release the electronic version when I return. I hope to return to work by the end of the week. By uploading the top page, it will be in the document that it was approved prior to leaving. Thank-you for your patience. (D. Stowell)
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YNPCCC Job Opening
Yosemite National Park Child Care Center (YNPCCC), is seeking a part-time Business Director.  We are committed to providing the highest quality child care and preschool education to the children of Yosemite and would love to have you as part of our team!  The Business Director will be responsible for bookkeeping, monthly billing, budget oversight and program support.  The Business Director will work under the leadership of the Director and will also work closely with the Board of Directors.  The ability to think analytically and critically, multitask and work independently are imperative.  Bookkeeping experience and knowledge of QuickBooks is strongly desired. Pay dependent upon experience.  Please email resumes to ynpccchire@gmail.com or contact Peg Lyle at (209) 372-4819. (L. Yu)
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Come on down to Sal's this week
Just in case you lost track of time, this Thursday, May 17 is a Sal's Taco Night at the Community Hall in El Portal, sponsored by the Yosemite Employee Association! The weather is perfect for a beer and taco after work, but there will be other delicious food and beverages alike. Of course, designated drivers always get a free soda. New employees and neighbors, you just have to show up and see the Yosemite community's favorite on-going social event for yourself. We look forward to seeing everybody there! (M. Goldberg)

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RECENT NEWS

Power Outage Thursday
There will be a PG&E power outage May 17, 7:00am-5:00pm, 10 hours, effecting Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Arch Rock, Turtle back Dome and both tunnels. The same outage will affect El Portal, Yosemite West, Badger Pass and Foresta in the following; 7:00am-7:30am and 4:00pm-5:00pm, two short outages, 30 minutes and 1 hour. If you have any questions call 379-1055. (P. Laymon)
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New Yosemite Falls Webcam Provides a Spectacular View of North America’s Highest Waterfall - news release
Yosemite Conservancy Provides New Ways to Connect People to Yosemite National Park Through Webcams, Podcasts and Yosemite Nature Notes Online Video Series
Scott Gediman & Kari Cobb (NPS) 209-372-0248
Peter Bartelme (Yosemite Conservancy) 415-664-1503
Jennifer Miller (Yosemite Conservancy) 415-434-1782

The majesty of Yosemite Falls, North America’s highest waterfall, can now be viewed on Yosemite Conservancy's website thanks to a new webcam. The nonprofit organization is connecting people to Yosemite National Park using webcams and a variety of technologies.

Working in partnership with the National Park Service and Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, the Yosemite Falls webcam is the fourth supported by the Conservancy and the first to offer a view of a Yosemite waterfall. The other Yosemite Conservancy webcams feature spectacular views of Yosemite landscapes, including Half Dome, El Capitan and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

“The webcams provide windows into Yosemite for people to plan a visit and to be inspired about the need to preserve and protect one of the world’s most unique places,” said Mike Tollefson, Yosemite Conservancy President. “This technology makes the park’s incredible scenery accessible to anyone, anywhere and at any time. What could be better than starting your day by viewing Yosemite Falls?”

Tollefson said that technology allows more people than ever to connect with the park in new and different ways. More than 400,000 people have viewed the webcams annually since 2009. “We added the Yosemite Falls webcam in response to the public’s request for live images of this iconic setting,” he said.

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher said, “Technology is providing new ways to connect people to Yosemite, help visitors to plan trips and learn about the park. All of this improves the visitor experience.”

Millions have viewed the Yosemite Nature Notes online video series, which provides breathtaking and in-depth interpretive programs about Half Dome, Rockfalls and Wildflowers among its 17 episodes. So far, four million have viewed the Frazil Ice episode on YouTube and nearly a half million people have enjoyed another about rainbows seen at night on waterfalls called “moonbows.” Podcasts are helping visitors plan trips, and learn about culture, nature and history.

Visit www.yosemiteconservancy.org to bookmark or share images from the Yosemite Falls webcam or find links to Yosemite Nature Notes online video series. (K. Cobb)
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Prescribed Fire Scheduled in Yosemite National Park - news release
First Burn of Season Scheduled for Northwest Wawona
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park Fire Managers are planning a prescribed fire in the northwest Wawona area in the southern portion of the park on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 . The ignition of the burn is dependent on weather conditions. Favorable weather is expected throughout the week, which will allow for optimal smoke dispersion. The total prescribed fire area will include 846 acres and is estimated to take several days to one week to complete. This will be the first prescribed fire of the 2012 fire season.

The prescribed fire will take place in the vicinity of the 2007 lighting caused fire, known as the Jack Fire. The fire is designed to reduce hazardous fuels in the Wawona Wildland Urban Interface area. Burning this segment will form a barrier to the community of Wawona from the spread of unwanted wildfire approaching from Turner Ridge to the north and from the South Fork Merced River drainage to the northwest. This project ties together multiple and historical research, natural and prescribed fires, and mechanical thinning.

Another objective for this project is to conduct ecosystem restoration by applying fire to landscape adapted to thrive in fire conditions. Fire is a natural process that plays an integral role in shaping the Yosemite landscape. Densities of shade tolerant tree species, such as white fir and incense cedar, and forest litter and duff have accumulated to unnatural levels in the absence of fire. Through the application of fire, a more natural vegetation composition on the forest floor can flourish.

Smoke from the fire may be visible throughout the park, but may be more evident in the Wawona area and the southern portion of the park. Additionally, fire equipment and fire crews will be present in the area of the fire and along roadways. Visitors and park employees are urged to drive slowly and with caution through the burn area.

Yosemite Fire Managers are working with Mariposa County and Tuolumne County, San Joaquin Valley, and Great Basin Air Pollution Control Districts (APCDs), in order to time the burn during the most favorable weather conditions that will facilitate good air quality and disperse smoke impacts. A burn permit has been issued to the park by the Mariposa County APCD and air quality measuring devices are beings staged in the surrounding communities.

For more information on fire in Yosemite, please visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/rx-fire-projects.htm . (K. Cobb)
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Road Work on Wawona Road
Be advised that roads crews will be conducting roadside brushing operations on Wawona Road (Hwy 41) at various locations between Wawona and South entrance. Short traffic delays should be anticipated. (D. Dozier)
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Sustainable Action at Sal's
Bicycle Repair night from 7-9 p.m. at Sal's this Thursday, May 17th. This is the final repair night for the spring season, so bring out your bikes if they need fixing! Questions: Kate McHugh, 520.349.9818, bikes@sustainableaction.org . (K. McHugh)
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Bicycle Volunteers Needed
Sustainable Action is looking for volunteers to help manage and run the bicycle non-profit. The current Director, Kate, got a job fabricating bicycle frames in Portland and needs to pass the torch onto a few willing and enthusiastic community members. Duties include: checking in and out Climate Friendly Bike Project bikes. Other valuable skills: organization, enthusiasm for bikes, and an interest in learning. Mechanical training can be provided if needed. Positions with Sustainable Action are open and creative, allowing you to bring into the organization the things you're excited about. Please consider whether you can lend a hand to keep this resource in our community running. Please contact: Kate McHugh, 520.349.9818, info@sustainableaction.org , or come talk at Sal's on Thursday. (K. McHugh)

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CONSTRUCTION AND TRAFFIC DELAYS

Traffic Delays
Road crews will be working on Foresta road between the El Portal complex and the El Portal Fire House Tuesday the 15th; expect short traffic delays. (G. Smith)
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Valley Road Striping
Striping will start in the Valley on 05/08 from 7:00 pm until 6:00 am, this will include Northside Drive, Southside Drive and the Valley Floor. Striping and stencil work should continue for approximately a week or more. Short delays are expected. (G. Taylor)
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Traffic Delays
Road crews are working on Highway 120 and the Big Oak Flat Road, expect short traffic delays. (B. Brantley)
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Traffic Delays
April 29th thru May 24th crews will begin working days and nights to continue making repairs around the South Entrance Station.
-Night time operations will be Sunday thru Thursday 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with up to 15 minute delays.
-Day time crews will be working Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM with intermittent 5-minute delays.
-No delays between Friday night at 6:00 PM and Sunday night at 8:00 PM. (M. Pieper)
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Hodgdon Meadow Wastewater Improvements
AMA Diversified (Contractor) will be in Hodgdon Meadow starting May 1 for approximately two weeks to complete the Wastewater system improvement project. There will some short term traffic restrictions at the intersection of Aspen Way and Tuolumne Grove as there is a small amount of paving to complete there. The contractor will also be removing the remaining spray field piping, placing piezometers around the new leach field, and installing a roof hatch. (P. Pyle)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Ethan McKinley will be acting Chief of the Business & Revenue Management division through mid-June. He can be reached at 372-0333.

Jeni Treutelaar will be the acting Chief of Staff from 5/14 to 5/21. She can be reached at 372-0238.

Kent Summers will be the acting Supervisor for High Voltage 05/14/2012 - 05/18/2012.

Shawn Zumbrunnen will be Acting Backcountry Utilities Supervisor from May 14 to May 17. If any needs arise, please contact Shawn at 379-1250.

Alan Hawksley will be acting Operations Supervisor while Kieth Stowell is out of the office from 5/14/12-5/28/12. He can be reached at 379-1278.

Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Branch Chief for Interpretive Services until May 18. He may be reached at 372-0307.

Madelyn Ruffner (379-1226) is on a 120-day detail as Acting Environmental Planning and Compliance Program Manager. Please contact Jessica Zeek (379-1002), Administrative Support Assistant for Environmental Planning and Compliance with questions.

Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1173.

Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.