2011 Jan 3 Daily Report

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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Monday, January 3, 2011

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park

Monday, January 3, 2011

Weather

Yosemite Valley

Today: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near

37. East northeast wind 5-10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Total

daytime snow accum. of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. East northeast wind 7-13 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Northeast wind 5-10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. East northeast wind 5

-10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 41. East wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

El Portal

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West southwest wind at 10 mph

becoming east.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Northeast wind 3-9 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming east

8-11 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. East wind 5 -9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Wawona

Today: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near

38. East northeast wind 5-7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Total

daytime snow accum. of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northeast wind 5 -11 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Northeast wind 5- 11 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. East northeast wind 5-9

mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. East northeast wind 7-9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 49.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Happening Today

NPS Forestry Crews will begin removing encroaching vegetation, trimming

trees and removing hazard trees along the El Portal Road from Park Line

eastward to Pohono Bridge.

Work will continue as long as weather allows. Traffic control will be in

place from 8:00am to 4:30pm. (L.Castro-01/03/11)

Park & Partner News

Yosemite News Release

December 31, 2010

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:

Scott Gediman 209-372-0248

Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Highway 140 into Yosemite National Park Reopens After Rockfall--

Highway 140/El Portal Road leading into Yosemite National Park has reopened

after a large rock fell onto the roadway. The large rock fell onto the

roadway yesterday, December 30, blocking traffic from entering or exiting

the park via Highway 140. The rock was estimated to be approximately 10-15

feet high, six feet wide, and four feet deep.

No injuries or structural damage were reported due to the rockfall. Damage

to the roadway has yet to be assessed.

All other roads, except for the seasonal closure of the Tioga Road and

Glacier Point Road, remain open. Visitors are urged to be aware that chain

control may be in effect while traveling through Yosemite.

For current road and weather information, please call 209-372-0200.

(K.Cobb-01/03/11)

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TUOLUMNE MEADOWS

WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE

December 29, 2010

Weather: (December 23 through December 29)

High temp: 42° (December 24 and 27)

Low temp: 3° (December 26 and 27)

New Snow: 31 inches

Total settled snow depth: 70” as of December 29

Ski Conditions and Weather: We had another stormy week here in the High

Sierra. A few smaller storms gave us another 31 inches of snow. We have

received 133 inches (11.1 feet) of new snow since the beginning of

December. It is currently still snowing and windy creating whiteout

conditions. We did manage to break some trail and the touring was good. The

snow is still too deep to get in any turns, unless you venture onto the

steeper terrain. We didn’t think that was such a good idea given the

massive amount of snow plus all the wind loading that has taken place. But

once the weather turns back to sunny California days, you will be able to

ski anywhere and have amazing coverage. We are not sure where the snowline

is on the east side since we have had no visitors brave enough to venture

up here.

Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: We have not seen any avalanche activity

on any of the steeper terrain around Tuolumne but extreme caution would be

advised anywhere you go. 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: Even with all the snow, we still saw tracks of Pine Marten,

weasel, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Chickaree, and Coyote, along with many

tiny rodent tracks. We saw the tracks of one unfortunate rodent running

across the meadow only to disappear in the wing prints of a large bird,

possibly an owl. The coyotes are quite active but very shy. We have seen

their body tracks tunneling through the deep snow.

Birds seen this week include the Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch,

Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, and Raven. We saw a Goshawk flying down

the Tuolumne River.

Questions: Not surprisingly, we still have no power or phone lines. We have

not heard if or when they will be back on. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne

winter rangers). (K.Younger-01/03/11)

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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report

Date: Sunday, January 2, 2011

Downhill Operations

Base Depth: 84”-90”

New Snow: 6”

Snow Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder

Forecast: Heavy Snow

Temperature: High 38 Low 33

Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Rabbit, Badger, Turtle, Beaver, Chipmunk,

Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger

Runs open: All

Many features (14) in our two terrain parks. One is on Eagle run with

boxes, rails, rollers and a jump, while the Beaver run hosts 4 big-air

jumps, rollers and boxes!! Come try them out.

Cross Country Conditions,

Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed tracks from Badger Pass to Glacier

Point on Sunday Morning January 2, 2011.

XC trail snow conditions: Excellent

Tubing Hill: Two Sessions Per Day 11:30 – 1:30 & 2:00 – 4:00

(S.Costello-01/03/11)

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Plan your 2011 Group Volunteer Projects now! (deadline January 7)

We are once again asking for projects for our group volunteers to work on.

Last year over 170 projects were completed by volunteer groups, from

obliterating social trails to deconstruction buildings, cleaning up the

Merced River to organizing warehouse storage, cleaning fire pits to fuel

reduction work. We can recruit volunteers of any age, specific skills, and

the group size you need. What could they do for you in 2011?

To get volunteer groups to work for you this year:

1) Fill out a Group Project Description Form, found on SharePoint:

http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/brm/vip/Volunteer Forms/Forms/Allitems/aspx

2) Turn in the form to the volunteer office by Friday, January 7,

2011: email - yose_volunteers@nps.gov, fax 379-1853, or interoffice mail.

3) The projects will be compiled in a catalogue that will be posted

online, hopefully by January 15.

4) Groups apply for projects and we assign them based on your

criteria - most projects are booked by mid-March.

Why do we do it so early? First, we need to request campsites before

they're booked up. Second, many groups plan their activities far in

advance.

Questions? Give us a call at 379-1850 or email at yose_volunteers@nps.gov

(H.Boothe-01/03/11)

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To the park partners, residents and friends of the Yosemite Medical Clinic:

It’s been a great honor for me, along with the staff of the Yosemite

Medical Clinic and Doctors Medical Center to provide medical services to

the wonderful people of Yosemite. For the last fifteen years, the Yosemite

Medical Clinic has provided emergency services to the residents and

visitors of Yosemite. During this time we have provided a staff which

includes; a full time board certified Physician, Physician Assistant and or

Nurse Practioner, Registered Nurses, Paramedic’s and EMT’s X-ray/lab and

Billing services. This level of care has been exceptional.

Yosemite attracts a special individual to work here. In the medical field,

it attracts people who are confident in their medicine, people who have the

ability to apply critical thought process for the benefit of great patient

care, this describe the employees of the Yosemite Medical Clinic. People

who go the extra mile to attain specialized training required to handle our

patient population. I’m extremely proud to have worked side by side with

these amazing people.

The community of Yosemite is also very special. The service groups which

include the Yosemite Lions Club, Rotary, YEA are wonderful. The park

schools, Delaware North and National Park Service have been great to work

with. I think it’s the community that will be missed the most!

As this chapter closes and a new one opens, speaking on behalf of the

employees of the Yosemite Medical Clinic we say thank you for allowing us

to provide your medical needs. Our park is a wonderful place and a great

place to work and call home. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity!

Sincerely,

Sean Pence, Manager

Yosemite Medical Clinic/Lewis Memorial Hospital

(SPence-01/03/11)

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On December 24, 2010, two visitors hiking the Chilnualna Falls Trail in

Wawona were approached by a mountain lion. The visitors acted

appropriately by grouping together, waving a big stick, and yelling at the

mountain lion. They also reported the incident to the Wawona Ranger

Station after returning from their hike.

Lions are a normal and important part of the natural surroundings we enjoy

while in Yosemite National Park. However, the presence of lions,

especially near developed areas or on popular hiking trails, requires that

we take precautions.

Keep children close to you. Do not allow them to run ahead or lag

behind on the trail.

Never feed wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels or coyotes – this

helps discourage them from frequenting developed areas. These animals

are prey for mountain lions.

Hiking or running alone is not recommended. A walking stick can be a

useful defense.

If you encounter a lion, take the following actions:

Ø Shout in a low voice and wave your arms or hold your coat open.

Your goal is to make yourself look as large and threatening as

possible.

Ø Maintain eye contact with the lion, and do not crouch down.

Ø Throw sticks or rocks at the lion.

Ø NEVER RUN.

Ø Pick up or restrain small children to keep them from panicking and

running.

Ø If a lion attacks, FIGHT BACK!

Report all mountain lion sightings to the Park’s Dispatch Office at

379-1992 or any nearby Ranger Station.

Attack from a mountain lion is still an extremely unlikely event, but use

of the above recommendations can further reduce the chances of injury and

allow us to more safely share the park with these spectacular

animals.(V.Seher-12/28/10

Employee News

Retirement Party--Celebrate Tim Ludington's retirement from the NPS. A

party will be held at Cedar Lodge on January 15 at 4pm. Dinner, Dessert,

non-alcoholic drinks & a NO HOST BAR by YEA. Mention the event for a

discounted room rate at Cedar Lodge (Toll Free: 888-742-4371; 209-379-2612)

. There's a suggested $10 donation to help cover costs. RSVP to Denise by

January 7: :209- 379-2850 (home) or 209- 628-1196 (cell) or

deniseludington@yahoo.com.(D.Ludington-01/03/11)

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Lusetta Nelson is leaving for a new job at Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Please join us in wishing her well at a lunch potluck, Thursday 1/6 at noon

in the large breakroom in El Portal. Cake will be served, please bring a

dish to share.Thank you. (C.Hamlett-01/03/11)

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Niki Nicholas is moving on to new challenges as the Superintendent for Big

South Fork NRRA/Obed WSR in Tennessee. Please join us as we wish her the

very best as she sets off on her new adventure. There will be great food

and music beginning at 4:30. (C.Mattiuzzi-01/03/11)

Where: Cedar Lodge When: Friday, January 7-- See you there.

(C.Mattiuzzi-01/03/11)

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YARTS Vouchers Distribution

1/3/2011- 1/6/2011

0700-1130 hours in El Portal Warehouse, and 1300- 1600 hours in Valley Mail

Room

Keep in mind that the Valley mail run happens around 1400 hours.

Please note that on 1/7/2011:

0700-1000 hours in El Portal Warehouse and 1130-1400 hours in Valley Mail

Room.

I will not be at work on 12/30 or12/31.

On 1/3/2011, I will be at the Budget and SPU Office around 1200 hours.

(D.Buskeness-12/28/10)

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The Protection Division announces the following new hires:

Valley District Assistant Shift Supervisor - Scott Jacobs

Scott has been employed in Yosemite since July of 2007, starting as a

patrol ranger in Tuolumne Meadow. He has worked Valley patrol for the last

year and is one of the park's Field Training Officers as well as the park

Taser Program Coordinator. Scott's previous training and involvement in

Problem Oriented Policing will enhance our ability to address problems

analytically and through engaging stakeholders.

Wawona Supervisory Park Ranger - Chad Andrews

Chad has worked in Yosemite for a total of seven years beginning in 2001

and been the acting Wawona Subdistrict Ranger since November. He is one of

the park's Field Training Officers, a Park Medic, and oversees the Badger

Pass operation as the Badger Pass Area Ranger. Chad's leadership in

community oriented policing will aid staff development as they serve the

Wawona Community.

Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger - Chris Smith

Chris has been employed in Yosemite since 1999 and been a NPS employee

since 2002. He has been working in the Canyon Ranch Subdistrict for six

years and is on the park's SRT team. He has been acting in the Subdistrict

Ranger position since August and has done an exemplary job, winning the

loyalty and respect of the entire Canyon Ranch staff. He will oversee

operations at Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor.

Hetch Hetchy Security Ranger - Nathan Puskar

Nathan has worked as a seasonal Law Enforcement Ranger in Yellowstone and

Organ Pipe Cactus. He will enter on duty in Hetch Hetchy in mid April.

Holding Facility - Noah Lovewell

Noah has worked the last two seasons as a Law Enforcement Ranger in Sequioa

at Cedar Grove and will enter on duty in mid March.

(K.Killian-12/28/10)

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It is with great pleasure for me to announce several new hires and

promotions to the Yosemite Fire and Aviation Management Staff.

Bernard Spielman was promoted from Fire Captain to Fire Operations

Specialist (vice Jeff Panetta) GS-9 to be stationed in Yosemite Valley

working directly for Deron Mills the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations.

Bernard has been a solid, dedicated, professional Captain for the El Portal

Engine Company for many, many years. We are please to have Bernard's skill

and expertise in Wildland and Structure Fire.

Kelly Singer was promoted from Fuels Crew Captain to the Prescribed Fire

Specialist (vice Taro Pusina) GS-9. Kelly has also been with the Yosemite

Fire program for many years and comes exceptionally well prepared and

suited for this complex position of prescribed and managed fire. Kelly

will be reporting toTaro Pusina the Deputy Fire Chief of Prescribed Fire

and Fuels.

Parker Bevington has accepted his first career appointment as a

Driver/Operator for the Wawona Engine Company GS-5/6. Parker has spent

over 8 seasons working on various fire crews here in the park. We are very

excited to have his diversity and knowledge of the park join the Wawona

Engine Company.

Aaron Lugwig has accepted his first career appointment as a Driver/Operator

for the El Portal Engine Company as a GS-5/6. Aaron is also a long time

Yosemite Fire seasonal employee who brings a great deal of fuels and

monitoring experience to our program.

Manuel Aguilera is currently a tractor/plow operator for the Fish and

Wildlife Service in Florida. He has accepted the second position on the El

Portal Engine as a GS-6 Driver/Operator.

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming all of our new employees to

the Fire and Aviation Management Staff for 2011. I am very excited to

finally have most of our key leadership positions filled.

(K.Martin-12/28/10)

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YARTS Schedule Set to Change/Park and Ride in Mariposa Will Open--The YARTS

Park and Ride facility on Joe Howard Street (behind Rite Aid) will go into

service on Monday, January 3, 2011. The facility will has 84 parking

spaces of all types, 6 bike lockers (soon), a restroom, security cameras,

and even picnic tables. There is still some landscaping work to be done,

but it still looks pretty good.

The bus will NOT pull into the lot, but will load from the bus stop shelter

on Joe Howard Street.

Please Note: Putting the park and ride into use will alter the schedule a

little and we encourage you to make yourself familiar with the new schedule

at the stops or by going on line to www.yarts.com.

The town of Mariposa does not have an excess of parking and all-day

commuter parking compounds the problem. We encourage you to use the new

lot to help ease the parking situation in the business district.We hope

that you will enjoy being able to use the new parking facilities and that

you will spread the word about it and the schedule changes to your

co-workers who may be on vacation for the holidays.

(D.Whittington-12/28/10)

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Lusetta Nelson is leaving Vegetation and Restoration for a permanent

Botanist position with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Please join us

in wishing her farewell at a potluck lunch at noon on Thursday, January 6,

2011 in the Large Break Room in the El Portal Maintenance Complex. Cake

will be served. (A.Colwell-12/28/10)

(D.Whittington-12/28/10)

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Please remember that "Blue" envelopes are for official use only. Please

refrain from using them for personal business - including using them to

solicit contributions for gifts for employees retiring, leaving for another

job, etc. Please be sure that you use nongovernment envelopes for personal

business. Thanks, Trudy Hawkins (T.Hawkins-01/03/11)

Acting Designations

Glenn Dean will be Acting Safety Officer Dec 20 - Jan 3, 2011. He can be

reached at 209-379-1064.(C.Ronay-12/21/10)

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Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.

Shawn Cave will be Acting Canyon Ranch Subdistrict Ranger until February

12, 2011. (K.Killian-12/21/10)

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Marvin Mann will be Acting Chief of BRM December 27 though January 5, 2011.

(W.Malone-12/20/10)

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Jeremy Brown will be Acting Trails Supervisor Dec. 13 - Jan. 3. (D. Kari -

12/10)

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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. (J. Bayless - 6/3/10)

**************************************************

Taro Pusina will be Acting Chief of Fire and Aviation Management from

01/02/2011 - 01/12/2011 and can be reached at 209-375-9596 or on his cell

at 209-770-5247.

Kelly Martin will checking messages regularly while she is away - feel free

to send her a voice or text message to her cell phone if you need to

contact her. Best Wishes for 2011!(K.Martin-01/03/11)

Construction Update

Update (12/20) - El Portal Complex Photovoltaic (PV) System (July 22, 2010

- January 2011)

Paragon Industrial Applications (PIA) [contractor] began work at the El

Portal Complex area on July 22, 2010. Contractors work Monday - Thursday.

Last Week's Progress, Parking, and more:

On Wednesday (12/15), the contractor worked to install PV panels

on the upper parking deck (carport 6).

The contractor (PIA) also worked to run conduit and pull conductor

from the panel string to the inverters and then to the transformer

in order to finalize all necessary connections.

This week employees will be able to use carports 1, 2, and 3 for

parking.

Please use extreme caution when you are near the construction

areas. Please do not cross through the barrier tape or enter the

"hard hat only" zones without your hard hat.

There have been 2,220 panels installed so far with 600 to go to

get to the final number of 2,820!

Overall, the Design/Build Install Renewable Energy Equipment at the El

Portal Complex is going well and proceeding on schedule. (M. Ortiz -

12/20/10)

Community News

Wilderness FIrst Responder recertification at The Yosemite Bug Rustic

Mountain Resort April 29, 2011 - May 1, 2011.

Tuition by itself is $280.00 --Tuition with lunch is $299.50 --Lodging, 3

meals plus tuition $445.00 Please inquire through Carrie via email or by

phone. 966-6666--Carrie Kidwell- Carrie@yosemitebug.com

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Three-bedroom, two-bathroom, family room, and den in Lushmeadows. $1,000

per month-W & D included. Non-smoker, pets o.k.

Available Jan 1, please contact Denise at 966-5437 or denise@sti.net

(J.Kinoshita-01/03/11)

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