Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, June 6, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...SUNNY...WINDY. HIGHS 67 TO 77 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...47 TO
57 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 38 TO 48 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...30 TO 40 IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.
SATURDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 69 TO 79 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...49 TO 59 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 38 TO 48 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 29 TO 39
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY...SUNNY...BREEZY. HIGHS 71 TO 81 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...50 TO 60 IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY.
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. WINDY. LOWS 38 TO 48 IN
YOSEMITE VALLEY...29 TO 39 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. HIGHS 73 TO 83 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...52 TO 62 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. West southwest wind between 8
and 13 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 11 mph becoming
east northeast.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North northeast wind 5 to 13 mph
becoming west southwest.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. North wind between 6
and 11 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph
becoming west southwest.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Happening Today/This Weekend (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Foresta Area Prescribed Fire Notification - June 6, 2008
Unit 6, totalling approximately 24 acres, was successfully completed today
(June 5, 2008). Fire staff will continue ignitions in area 1a through the
night tonight (June 5, 2008).
The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed fire in the Foresta
area in Yosemite National Park from June 5, 2008 through June 6, 2008,
weather and air quality conditions permitting.
This project is approximately 75 acres and is located southwest of Foresta,
along the park’s boundary with the Stanislaus National Forest. The project
is expected to last about 3 days, with additional mop-up and monitoring
happening through the weekend.
A specific goal of this project is to provide community protection to
Foresta by reducing unnatural fuel loads. This project is strategically
located adjacent to homes in the community, which provides protection from
fire originating in the Merced River canyon.
The intended burn units are comprised primarily of ponderosa pine, meadow,
and manzanita. The Foresta area burned during the 1990 A-Rock fire, with 45
structures lost. There are 173 structures in the Foresta area.
Minimal smoke impacts are possible in the Foresta, with some additional
impacts possible in El Portal during morning hours. Residents and visitors
are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts. People with
respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky
areas.
A public meeting was held Monday, June 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm at the fire house
in Foresta to address community concerns and answer questions.
Additionally, those wishing to preview the proposed burn area are invited
to attend a walk through Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Walk through participants
should meet staff at the fire house at 10:30am.
You will see hand crews, engines, helicopters, extra water storage tanks
and heavy equipment along roads and on the burn perimeter through the
weekend. Even after the burn is complete, we'll keep people and equipment
in the area to make sure it is safe. Please be cautious and drive with
extra care in the area.
For further information about this or other prescribed burn projects in
Yosemite National Park please contact Yosemite’s Fire Information Office at
209/372-0480. Additional updates about the proposed burn will be available
at www.inciweb.org or on the park’s website at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
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National Parks America Tour
On Saturday, June 7th, Yosemite National Park is hosting the National Parks
America Tour at Yellow Pine Campground. The event will begin at 8:00 am
and end around noon. This year more than 20 National Parks across the
country will be hosting the Tour. During the past ten years, over 70,000
volunteers have contributed more than 280,000 hours of community service
nationwide. This will be Yosemite’s second year hosting the tour, which is
designed to engage employees and citizens of all ages in volunteer
“service-to-the-land” projects to help protect and preserve America’s
National Parks. All park employees and family members are encouraged to
participate. (K. Stowell - 6/3/08)
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JUNE 7 The Yosemite Fund is coordinating National Trails Day (NTD) in
Yosemite to celebrate the over 800 miles of trails in the park and the
opportunities they afford park visitors for adventure, challenge, solitude
and exercise to increase awareness of the role of trail crews, wilderness
rangers and support staff who maintain the trails and protect the resource,
and to celebrate the completion of the Campaign for Trails which has raised
over $13.5 million dollars to support trail work in Yosemite. Park
Partners will combine to host a day and a half of activities for residents
and visitors to honor the park’s trails. NTD is part of a nation-wide
celebration.
The American Hiking Society has coordinated National Trails Day since 1993.
For National Trails Day 2007, more than 1,100 hosts registered their events
with American Hiking Society.
Check the Yosemite Today for evening program and a special walk. There
will also be a mini-mall event on Saturday, June 7 in front of the Visitor
Center with YOSAR, the YF, YMS and NPS Wilderness. (J. Miller - 6/2/08)
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Sierra Earthfest 2008 - June 7th
Who said there is nothing to do in Groveland? Thanks to all your requests
to do it again, The Sierra Earthfest: an herb and mountain craft faire will
repeat Saturday, June 7th at Mountain Sage! There will be even more booths,
more free workshops, more live music, extended hours, food served lunch
through dinner and more! Make sure to lock the house and grab a jacket,
you’ll want to spend the whole day downtown!
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LIVE LOCAL MUSIC: The Adam Burns Band will be playing this Friday night,
June 6th, at the Evergreen Lodge, at 8:00 pm, and at Earthfest in
Groveland on Saturday,June 7th, 5pm, at the Mountain Sage Nursery. Join
us! (K. Ramsey - 6/4/08)
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6th STREET CINEMA is a non-profit theater located in downtown Mariposa,
atop the historic Masonic Lodge on 6th Street. It is the presentation arm
of the Rural Media Arts and Education Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation,
and is supported by the California Arts Council, SierraTel, the James
Irvine
Foundation, Mariposa County, and the Geoff and Josie Fox Family Foundation,
a Donor Advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We are
also generously supported by Iron Mountain Systems and Stonecutter.com.
The views expressed by the films, in print materials, or by discussion
facilitators are not necessarily those of these funders. This activity is
funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the
National Endowment for the Arts, a national agency. Monthly membership is
$12, allowing film entry for $3 each; non-members pay $7, and non-member
students pay only $5. Recorded Information: (209) 966-1333 or
http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org Staff: 209 742-6666. E-mail us:
sixthstreetcinema@sti.net
This week there is no regularly sceduled film. Instead we are hosting a
benefit and film for the Catnip Society. All cat lovers are encouraged to
attend.
Saturday only, June 7, 6:30 p.m. (film begins at 7:30) $15.00 HARRY AND
TONTO, with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and other beverages. All proceeds
benefit the Catnip Society, a Mariposa non-profit corporation promoting cat
and animal welfare. (Rated R; 115 min.)
This Paul Mazursky heart warming comedy, stars Art Carney who won both an
Oscar and a Golden Globe for his wonderful performance (he beat out Jack
Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Albert Finney...does that say
enough?) Harry is a retired widowered teacher in his seventies living in
his native New York City. When the building he lives in is torn down to
make way for a parking garage, Harry and his cat Tonto begin a journey
across America, visiting his children, seeing a world he never seemed to
have the time to see before, saying goodbye to old friends, and making new
ones. A film to make you feel good to be alive! (T. Arfsten - 6/5/08)
New Today
Yosemite News Release
June 4, 2008
For Immediate Release
Yosemite National Park Announces the Public Comment Period for the Invasive
Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the integrity of
National Park Service lands. Non-native plants invade an estimated 4,600
acres of federal land in the United States every day, and already infest
millions of acres in the national parks. Fortunately, Yosemite National
Park is at the early stages of invasion. Unfortunately, 177 non-native
plant taxa have already established within Park borders, many with the
potential to spread rapidly.
The purpose of this Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
for Yosemite National Park is to evaluate a range of alternatives to
prevent the establishment and spread of invasive plants into uninfested
areas of the park, and quickly and effectively eradicate new infestations.
The public comment period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan
Environmental Assessment will open on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run
through Sunday, July 13, 2008. The plan is available on the park's website
at http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/invasive.htm. A public meeting will
take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. during
the monthly Open House in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.
Additionally, park representatives will be available at the El Portal
Planning Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 7pm in the Clark
Community Hall.
Written scoping comments should be postmarked no later than July 13, 2008.
Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, email, and
through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting
system. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit
written comments:
Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn: Invasive Plant Management Plan
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: 209/379-1294
Email: YOSE_planning@nps.gov
PEPC: http://parkplanning.nps.gov
For more information on park planning efforts, visit the website at
www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt.htm. (-NPS-)
Park News
TUOLUMNE RIVER PLAN NEWS
Yosemite's Division of Planning is pleased to announce the summer public
events listed below highlighting the Tuolumne River and Tuolumne planning
process. Please plan for an additional 30 minutes to walk from the parking
area to Parsons Lodge. Arrangements can be made to accommodate those
requiring accessibility assistance (call Kristina Rylands at 209-379-1175).
For public comment. In early July, the 2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook
will be released for public review and comment through September 15. The
purpose of the workbook is to update members of the public on the status of
the Tuolumne River Plan, including unveiling early alternatives and
planning concepts for Tuolumne Meadows. Last year's workbook was
enthusiastically received and led to changes in the range of alternatives.
Comments on the 2008 edition will be considered by the planning team during
the preparation of the Draft Tuolumne River Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement, scheduled to be released for public comment in summer 2009.
Copies will be available throughout the Tuolumne Meadows area. To have a
copy of the 2008 workbook mailed to you, phone 209-379-1365 (leave a
message) or email yose_planning@nps.gov.
June 21
PLANNER-FOR-A-DAY Workshop 10am-2pm
Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an update on the Tuolumne River
Plan. The NPS will unveil and discuss the range of draft alternatives
(including the preferred alternative), and give a preview of preliminary
concepts for actions being considered in Tuolumne Meadows. All of this will
be documented in the 2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook.
July 18
PLANNER-FOR-A-DAY Workshop 1-5pm
Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
Roll up your sleeves and participate in a Planner-for-a-Day Workshop
devoted to discussing site concepts in Tuolumne Meadows. The planning team
will be looking for your feedback on the range of early preliminary
concepts. This input will be considered as the team enters into the
Tuolumne Meadows site planning phase of the project this fall.
August 9
Slideshow 2-3:30pm
Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
As part of the Parsons Lodge Summer Series and in celebration of the 40th
anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, NPS planner, Kristina
Rylands, will be give a slideshow and informational presentation on
Yosemite's rivers and the nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Detailed agendas for the June and July workshops will be posted to the
park's website in the coming weeks at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm.
(K. Rylands - 6/5/08)
Announcements
Glacier Point Electrical Outage - June 11,2008, from 0900 to 1400, weather
permitting, there will be an electrical outage to the entire Glacier Point
and Sentinel Dome areas. The only areas affected will be Glacier Point and
Sentinel Dome, including concessionaire facilities, NPS housing, NPS
utilities, and the Yosemite Valley broadcast TV and radio station
translators. Some cell phone service may be affected. The NPS radio
repeaters at Sentinel Dome are expected to function normally. The purpose
of the outage is to mitigate hazard trees along the power line. (K. Summers
- 6/2/08)
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Yosemite Forum, Tuesday June 10th, 12-1 p.m. Yosemite Valley Auditorium.
Please join us for this month's Yosemite Forum where Lincoln Bramwell and
Susan Bahnick Jones will present "The Administrative History of Yosemite."
Dr. Lincoln Bramwell is the director of the Yosemite History Project in the
History Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lincoln is an
environmental historian who specializes in the history of the American
West. Susan Bahnick Jones is a Research Associate in the Landscape
Architecture and Planning Research Office at the University of Nevada, Las
Vegas. Lincoln and Susan will talk about why an administrative history is
important for the park, why UNLV is writing the administrative history, and
how they plan to provide a more accessible document to aid the park in its
mission. (B. Kuhn - 6/5/08)
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New Valley Campground Supervisor: Congratulations to Kevin Woods who has
been selected as the new permanent supervisor of the Valley Campground
Office. Kevin has been working as the "acting" supervisor for the last few
years, and we are happy to finally be able to place him in the position on
a permanent basis. Kevin is responsible for the day to day operations of
Camp 4, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines and Valley Backpacker's
Campgrounds. (M. Carter - 6/5/08)
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We are currently looking for a lost handheld radio, Motorola type, Serial
#320CDWF997, last seen in or near the WABG work shop. If found, please
contact Kermit Comstock at the WABG Office, 375-9508, ASAP. (D. Williams -
6/3/08)
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The Tuolumne Gas Station is open 9-5 daily for cash customers for store and
gas purchases. The pumps are also available 24 hours a day with credit
card sales at the pumps. (D. Anthonijsz - 6/5/08)
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
Community News
The Yosemite Scholarship Commission is pleased to announce the recipients
of three scholarships sponsored by the Yosemite Employees Association
(YEA), the Yosemite Rotary Club, the Yosemite Lions Club and the Yosemite
Winter Club for the academic year 2008-2009.
Haley Ballerini will receive a $2,000 scholarship. She will be attending
Brown University. She is the daughter of Lynda Ballerini of El Portal and
Ken Yager of El Portal.
Rebecca Castro will receive a $2,000 scholarship. She will be attending
Stanford University. She is the daughter of Butch and Colleen Castro of
Groveland.
Micole McCarthy will receive a $1,000 community college scholarship. She
will be attending South Puget Sound College. She is the daughter of Darlece
Cleveland and Steve Shewchuck of El Portal.
Congratulations from the Yosemite, El Portal and Mariposa communities. (L.
Eade - 6/5/08)
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YOSEMITE IS OUR BACKYARD - 2008
Once again, Yosemite Institute is offering an outdoor education program
just for local children. The groups will be separated by age, 7-9 and
10-12 year-olds, depending on enrollment. Day hikes will begin each day at
8:45 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. plus, again this year, on Thursday a cookout
and campfire at Crane Flat for the 7-9 year olds and an overnight at the
Historic Merced Grove Ranger Cabin for the 10-12 year olds!
DATES: JUNE 9-13, 2008
COST: $150.00
To keep the cost of the program as low as we can, one volunteer parent
chaperone is needed for each hiking group each day, plus one for the 10 –
12 year-olds going on the overnight to the Merced Grove Ranger Cabin.
There is no cost for chaperones. Adults who chaperone all week can bring
one child at no cost. Adults who can chaperone 2-3 days can bring one
child at 1/2 price.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION FORMS, PICK UP AN ENROLLMENT PACKET AT
YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICE, AT YOSEMITE INSTITUTE, CALL YI - 379-9511 OR
EMAIL - yi@yni.org. (P. Schmidt - 5/29/08)
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Yosemite Climbing Association Newsletter
Granite Frontiers
This June YCA will host it's second exhibit in the valley museum. Over the
last six months we have been working very hard in conjunction with Park
Service to put together this show, which focuses on the last 140 years of
Yosemite's climbing history. Through much support from The Yosemite Fund
and Royal Robbins, Inc. we have been able to achieve success in putting
this project together.
It's been a long road with many bumps and detours but we've come out with
much to show for it and we hope you can all share this with us. The show
opens the evening of June 6th with a reception from 4:30pm - 6:30pm, hors
d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. So, please come ready to learn learn a
little history and share in the celebration! For those who may not be able
to attend, no worries, as we've the great honor of displaying this exhibit
from June 7th - October 27th in the Yosemite Valley Museum Gallery. (K.
Yager - 5/27/08)
Acting Designation
Ann Roberts will be Acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and
Compliance June 9th and 10th. You may phone Ann at 379-1383 or you may
leave a message with Sarah Henderson at 379-1002. (D. Harrison - 6/6/08)
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Tim Ludington will be Acting Roads and Trails Branch Chief, Thursday, June
5, 2008 and Monday, June 9, 2008. He can be reached at 379-1235 or you
can leave a message with Beth Benitag at 379-1057.
John Barton will be Acting Branch Chief of Roads and Trails on Friday, June
6, 2008. You can leave a message for him with Beth Benitag at 379-1057.
(R. Soden - 6/5/08)
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Dave Humphrey (379-1029) will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and
Science from June 5-10. (N. Nicholas - 6/5/08)
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Paul Laymon will be Acting Chief of Facilities Management Friday, June 6,
2008. Paul can be reached at 379-1077 or you can leave a message with
Rhonda Soden at 379-1059. (R. Soden - 6/4/08)
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Randy Fong will be Acting Division Chief for Project Management June 9th &
10th. You may phone Randy at 379-1022 or you may leave a message with
Tricia Radmacher at 379-1221. (D. Harrison - 6/3/08))
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For the next 90 days, I will be out of the park often working on an
assignment for the NPS Centennial. Kristina Rylands will act as the Chief
of Planning whenever I am out during this time. She can be reached at
379-1175. This week I will be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. (L. Dahl
- 6/2/08)
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While Jen Nersesian is on an international assignment, Calvin Liu will be
acting branch chief of Public Involvement and Outreach in the Division of
Interpretation until June 24th. (C. Liu - 6/2/08)
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Rodney Raines is now acting Wawona Utilities supervisor until further
notice. He can be reached at 375-9510 or leave a message with Shawnessy.
(K. Bablitch - 5/28/08)
