Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Weather

Yosemite Valley
Today: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5500 feet.
Cloudy, with a high near 47. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south
southwest. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South
southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near
47. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low
around 27. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east northeast.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph becoming south.
Thursday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of
precipitation is 70%.

El Portal
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south southwest.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
31. East southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near
60. East wind at 6 mph becoming west southwest.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind at 9
mph becoming east.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
East northeast wind around 9 mph becoming south.
Thursday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of
precipitation is 70%.

Wawona
Today: A 20 percent chance of showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a
high near 54. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
30. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near
53. North northeast wind at 5 mph becoming west.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind at 7
mph becoming east northeast.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Northeast wind 8 to 11 mph becoming south.
Thursday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of
precipitation is 70%.

Park News

Valley Fuel Station Update: The new site controller is up and running!
Locals can now purchase fuel with your personal Visa, Master Card, or
Discover card. Your card will need to have a PIN assigned to it prior to
the first use. All you need to do is come to the Garage between 8 AM and 5
PM, Monday through Friday, with your credit card and ID showing your local
residency or employment. It takes just a few minutes to get the PIN. The
number will be system generated, and once you have your PIN, you can
purchase fuel at the Valley Fuel Station 24/7 without having to purchase
pre-paid fuel cards. (D Anthonijsz 2/2/10)
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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team Members Sought Individuals are
currently being sought to fill positions on two National DOI Burned Area
Emergency Response (BAER) teams as well as local NPS BAER teams. BAER
teams are comprised of botanists, hydrologists, geologists, biologists,
archeologists, GIS specialists, foresters, environmental specialists, IT
specialists, and soil scientists, and address post-fire threats to human
life, property and critical natural and cultural resources. Additional
information can be found at
http://www.fws.gov/fire/ifcc/esr/Library/National_BAER_Team_Vacancy_Announcement_2010v2.pdf
. All nominations must be submitted by February 14th. Please contact
National BAER Coordinator Rich Schwab (208.387.5642, richard_schwab@nps.gov
) or Pacific West Region BAER Coordinator Nelson Siefkin (510.817.1502)
with any questions. (N Siefkin 2/2/10)
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Wildland Fire Resource Advisor Training: A Wildland Fire Resource Advisor
Training will be in El Portal on March 23-24 (an optional field trip will
take place on the morning the 25th). This course provides participants
with the background to serve as Resource Advisors (READs) during wildland
fires. READs work with Incident Command Teams and fireline personnel to
minimize the impacts of fire, fire management activities and post-fire
conditions to natural and cultural resources. READs are also critical as
the starting point for identifying needs related to the repair of fire
suppression impacts, Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area
Rehabilitation (BAR). The target audience includes botanists, ecologists,
biologists, hydrologists, geologists, foresters, GIS specialists, cultural
resource specialists and fire managers. Please contact Jun Kinoshita
(379.1317) to enroll or with any questions. (J Kinoshita 2/2/10)
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The Wapama Falls trail at Hetch Hetchy is open for public use. (L
Kwiatkowski 2/2/10)
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Wawona Tunnel contractor Candelaria will be working on the new fire alarm
system in the Wawona Tunnel for the next couple of weeks. There may be
short, 15 minute delays in Tunnel traffic. Please drive cautiously. (D
Coon 2/2/10)
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YOSEMITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES COURSE INFORMATION #4 Winter Natural History at
Ostrander Lake Hut With Pete Devine & Karen Amstutz
FEBRUARY 15-18, 2010, meet at 7 PM in front of the Girl’s Club.
Yosemite naturalists Pete Devine and Karen Amstutz will be your guides for
this two-night outing to a cozy hut at the base of a glacial cirque.
Winter natural history, rich photographic subjects, a physical adventure,
and great company will fill your days. The group will look at astronomy,
plant and animal biological adaptations, snowpack physics and will see what
can be discovered along the way in the field. You don’t need to be an
expert, but cross-country ski experience is essential. We’ll meet on Monday
evening to review logistics, then head out on Tuesday morning. We will be
skiing up and down 10 miles, with a net gain of 1000’ to reach the hut
where we stay for 2 nights. You must be in good shape for this challenging
route, and you must be an intermediate cross-country skier with equipment
that’s built for ungroomed ascent/descent with a full pack. You need to
bring all food (except the first night’s dinner), sleeping bag and
equipment. PLEASE CALL HOLLY for more information at 209-379-2321. If you
can’t afford the cost please ask for a special discount. NPS employees are
FREE! (H Kuehn 2/1/10)

Updates

TARGETED SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT
Over the next several months, rangers in the Valley and El Portal will be
conducting targeted speeding enforcement aimed at reducing speed-related
traffic issues on the roadways. Speeding vehicles are the greatest
threat to people and wildlife in the park. Moreover, this effort is in
response to requests from the community indicating a desire for increased
speed enforcement to better provide for the safety of pedestrians,
motorists, and wildlife. Citations will be issued where warranted.
Remember that the people who use these roads most often are your
neighbors, coworkers, and friends; help keep them safe by driving
defensively and in compliance with all posted speeds and regulations.

Targeted speed enforcement is a proven effective method for achieving
these goals. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the
National Park Service believes motorists can be deterred from speeding.
Additional area specific reminders are outlined below.

VALLEY:
Traffic safety must be a priority for all drivers in the Valley due to
extensive road work, altered traffic patterns, displaced pedestrian
routes, and winter driving conditions. Please drive slowly and safely!
Remember that the speed limit in the east Valley is generally 25 MPH
unless posted lower, and that the speed limit elsewhere in the Valley is
35 MPH. The speed limit along the detour in Yosemite Village is 15 MPH.
Be aware of new temporary stop sign locations in Yosemite Village.

EL PORTAL:
Traffic safety must be a priority for all drivers in El Portal due to the
large numbers of walkers, joggers, and cyclists using the roads. Please
drive slowly and safely! Remember that the speed limit on Foresta Road
is 25 MPH west of the Post Office, and 15 MPH in Old El Portal. Personnel
in government vehicles which do not need to access the Rancheria Flat
housing area should utilize Highway 140 instead of Foresta Road for
transit.

The speed limit in all posted chain control areas is 25 MPH. (E Gabriel
2/1/10)
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Yosemite News Release
January 29, 2010
For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park Releases Documents Pertaining to Park Plans

The Department of the Interior /National Park Service (NPS), the Friends of
Yosemite Valley (FOYV), and the Mariposans for the Environment and
Responsible Government (MERG) announced the completion of a formal
Settlement Agreement last September regarding the litigation on the Merced
Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). The settlement
resolved the decade long litigation on Merced River planning that began in
2000, and also resolved the complaint challenging the Yosemite Valley Plan
(YVP).

Three documents have been released as a result of the aforementioned
settlement agreement. These documents include the Revised YVP Record of
Decision (ROD), the Revised Yosemite Lodge Area Redevelopment Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI), and the Revised Curry Village and East Yosemite
Valley Campgrounds Improvements FONSI. The YVP document rescinds the ROD,
and the second two documents amend the FONSI’s.

The park has initiated the planning process to complete a new Comprehensive
Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic River in Yosemite National
Park.

The Revised Yosemite Valley Plan ROD, Revised Yosemite Lodge Area
Redevelopment FONSI, and Revised Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley
Campgrounds Improvements FONSI are available in their entirety at
http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/litigation.htm (K Cobb 2/1/10)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report
Date:Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Downhill Operations
Base Depth:96”
New Snow:0
Snow Conditions:Packed Powder
Forecast:Mostly Cloudy Possible snow showers

Temperature: High 35, Low 22
Runs Groomed:Rabbit, Eagle, Bruin, Turtle, Red Fox

Lifts Open:Eagle,Bruin,Badger,Turtle

Runs open:All

Cross Country Conditions
Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed tracks to Glacier Point on Monday
evening 2-01-10.

XC trail snow conditions: Excellent

Tubing Hill:Open, two sessions per day, at 11:30am and 2:00pm (T Schelby
2/2/10)

Employee Corner

Please join me in congratulating Mike Wichmann who has been selected as the
Branch Chief for the Project Management Division's Branch of Construction
Management. Mike received a BS in Civil Engineering from the Colorado
School of Mines in 1988 and was hired by the NPS as a Construction
Supervisor for the Denver Service Center. Mike has managed a wide variety
of highly complex NPS construction projects at GRCA, DENA, CRLA, MORA,
PUHE, SAGU, and SEKI, before landing at YOSE in 1993 to supervise the
construction of the El Portal Warehouse and Maintenance Complex. Mike
became a YOSE Project Manager following the 1997 flood where he has been
the PM on a number of projects including the Yosemite Theater Renovation,
the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and Bookstore Renovation, the Hybrid Bus
Fleet Replacement, the Curry Lounge and Registration Rehabilitation, and
the Curry Village Employee Housing project. Mike has served as the Acting
Construction Branch Chief since May 2009. Mike resides in Mariposa with
his son Cody. (M Butler 2/2/10)
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It's with great pleasure to announce Taro Pusina accepted the position of
Deputy Fire Management Officer for fuels, wildland and prescribed fire.
Taro brings a tremendous breath and depth of knowledge and experience to
the Yosemite fire program. Over the years, Taro has spent his career
forming strong alliances and partnerships with scientists, researchers and
the interagency fire community to promote the use of applied and natural
fire throughout natural landscapes in the west. This background will be a
tremendous benefit to our fire program. He is also an active member of the
Wawona fire brigade. Taro will provide leadership for the park's
prescribed and wildland fire program as we continue to implement the
Federal Wildland Fire Policy. There are many challenges and opportunities
ahead of us for the National Park Service and I am thrilled to have Taro as
part of our Yosemite fire management team to lead us into the future. Taro
received his Bachelors degree in Resource Management and Forestry in 1992
from UC Berkeley. His effective date will be Feb 28th and his office will
be located in Wawona. Taro and his wife Heidi have 2 children and are long
time residents of the Wawona area. Please help me congratulate Taro in his
new assignment!! (K Martin 2/2/10)
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I'd like to welcome Eric Scott as the new Wawona District Ranger. Eric is
currently the Wahweap District Ranger at Glen Canyon NRA. He is a 1987
graduate of Oregon State University majoring in Resource Recreation
Management. In addition to his supervisory duties, he is a member of the
NPS all-risk incident management team as a Type II Plans Section Chief and
has the rank of Engine Captain on the GLCA brigade. He brings two decades
of EMS and fire experience to the park. Eric will relocate with his wife
and two children who currently reside in Page, Arizona. (C Cuvelier 2/1/10)
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Employee of the Month

Michael Jordan …your dedication to customer service

Excellence In Service

George Duke, Barry Hance, John Tacy, …outstanding efforts passing the
Grade 2 State Water Exam
Joshua Keyes, Jerod Raines, Gary Wilcox

Kathleen Ehler …your work and support of Yosemite's bear program

Noreen Trombley …your efforts in working with volunteers in the front and
back country

Laura Jones …your knowledge and dedication to monitoring and mapping for
the invasive plant program

Seta Chorbagian …your dependability and professionalism while working on
the front country restoration crew

Caroline Nelson …your efforts completing a complex study on velvet grass

Jack Hoeflich, Eric Gabriel …your support and contributions to the
Yosemite Bear Council

Wendy Malone …her flexibility and professionalism as a family liaison

Time Off Award

Denise Buskeness …your efficiency and dedication learning

Ian Bevington …your outstanding performance running the park commissary
Martin Oliver …your invaluable assistance during the field season
(2/1/10)

Acting Designations

Madelyn Ruffner will be Acting Branch Chief for the Environmental Planning
and Compliance Branch of Project Management from Monday, February 1, 2010,
through Friday, February 5, 2010. She can be reached at 379-1226 or you
may leave a message with Karen Dera at 379-1002.
****************************************************
Joe Meyer will be Acting Chief of Resources Management and Science for the
week of February 1.
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Sheri Ogden is Acting Chief of Business and Revenue Management February 1
- 5, 2010.
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Katariina Tuovinen will be Acting Deputy Superintendent February 1-5, 2010.
She can be reached at 372-0286.
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While I am out of the park February 1-5 attending the Fire and Aviation
Workshop Eric Gabriel will be the acting Operations Branch Chief. (C
Cuvelier)
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Cindy Whitten will be the acting Human Resources Officer until further
notice, you may contact her at (209) 379-1878

HR Corner

Yosemite National Park -- Current Vacancy Announcements

UPDATED: February 2, 2010

The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov. This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
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PERMANENT – GOVERNMENTWIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Officer
Vacancy Ann #:PWRO-2010-16
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan:GS-0201/12-13
Appointment Type: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:02/01/2010
Closing: 02/20/10
BUDGET ANALYST
Vacancy Ann #:YP286875 IK
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan:GS-0560/11
Appointment Type: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:01/29/2010
Closing: 02/11/10
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TEMPORARY – STATUS NOT REQUIRED – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Cook (YCC and Backcountry)
Vacancy Ann #:YP313558 IK10
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:WG-7404/06
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:01/26/2010
Closing Date: 02/08/10
Cook (YCC and Backcountry)
Vacancy Ann #:YP313564 IK10
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:WG-7404/08
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 01/26/2010
Closing Date: 02/08/10
Biological Science Technician (Aquatic)
Vacancy Ann #:YP 313164 AB10
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:GS-0404/04/05/06
Appointment Term: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:01/21/2010
Closing Date: 02/02/10
Park Ranger (Law Enforcement), GS-0025-07
Vacancy Ann #:SROC-YOSE-10-313592
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:GS-0025/07
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:01/22/2010
Closing Date: 02/01/10
LABORER (Trails)SEKI/DEPO/YOSE
Vacancy Ann #:YP311822 IK10
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:WG-3502/03
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 01/12/2010
Closing: 02/01/10
RESTORATION WORK LEADER
Vacancy Ann #:YP 309992 AB10
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:WL-5001/05
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date:01/08/2010
Closing Date:01/27/10
Wildland Firefighter (Range or Forestry Aid/Technician)
Vacancy Ann #:DOI-FIRE-2010-006
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan:GS-0455-0462/02/03/04/05
Appointment Type: Temporary
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 11/30/2009
Closing Date: 03/30/10

Happening Today

Drama Club to Help Support Haiti Earthquake Relief The El Portal School
after-school drama program is holding a benefit performance on: TUESDAY,
February 2nd, 2010.
6:00 pm at El Portal Elementary School (please note corrected time!)
3rd – 6th grade students will showcase 3 plays, “The King ‘O’ the Cats,”
“The Magic Sieve,” and “The Talking Fish.” Donations for Earthquake relief
will be accepted. All are welcome! We hope to see you there. (P.Amstutz
1/28/10)
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We're heading to MOROCCO on Tuesday! The next installment of the El Portal
Travel Series will be on Tuesday, February 2nd @ 7:00pm at the El Portal
Community Hall.
Kendra Kurihara & Rob Dillon – Honeymoon Climbs in Morocco After their
wedding, Rob and Kendra spent a month exploring and climbing in the ancient
landscape of Morocco. Two climbing areas were the focus of their
honeymoon. The Djebel-al-Kest range in the desert south, is a quartzite
adventure-climbing range, first discovered by old dad Brits like Chris
Bonnington. Route beta and rock were loose, and fixed pro was not Moroccan
hustlers and drank mint tea until their eyes turned green. “Hello my
friend, would you like to see some carpets?” Join us tonight to see if
they gave in to the pressure… (P.Amstutz 1/28/10)

Community News

6TH STREET CINEMA is located in the historic Old Masonic Lodge (under
renovation) on 6th Street in downtown Mariposa. Entrance is $7 per film
for non-members, and non-member students pay $5. Monthly membership is $12
allowing film entry for $3 each. Special performances and broadcasts have
alternate pricing structures. Recorded Information: (209) 966-1333. Staff:
209 742-6666. Visit our website: http://www.sixthstreetcinema.org or e-mail
us: sixthstreetcinema@sti.net

Special event, Thursday night only!
Feb 4th (Thursday), 8:00 p.m.: "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, WITH GARRISON
KEILLOR, LIVE IN HD"
(Gen. Admission $22; Member Admission $18; Student $15)(PLEASE NOTE: 8:00
P.M. SHOW TIME)
Coming to you live from the Fitzgerald Theater, and beamed into movie
theaters across the country, it's a special Thursday evening edition of A
Prairie Home Companion. Featuring legendary English singer-songwriter Elvis
Costello, sibling vocal powerhouses Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, songstress
Heather Masse, and the finest folk duo around, Robin and Linda Williams.
Also with The Royal Academy of Radio Actors; Sue Scott, Tim Russell and
Erica Rhodes, with both Tom Keith AND Fred Newman creating sound effects
mayhem, plus a punched-up Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, and of course, The News
from Lake Wobegon. Two hours of non-stop fun (well, there'll be a brief
intermission) on the big screen. Bring your Powdermilk Biscuits, Mournful
Oatmeal, and maybe some Duck Tape!

Feb. 5TH - 6TH (Friday-Saturday), 7:30 p.m. "BRIGHT STAR"
London 1818: a secret love affair begins between 23 year-old English poet,
John Keats (Ben Whishaw), and the girl next door, Fanny Brawne (Abbie
Cornish), an out-spoken student of high fashion. From Jane Campion, the
Oscar winning writer/director of "The Piano" comes this beautifully
romantic film that is on so many critics top lists. (Rated PG; 119 mins.)
(T Arfsten 2/2/10)
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Come on down to the Carabiner for some great dinner specials that include:
Monday: Mac & Cheese with a Side Salad
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday: Italian Sausage with Cole Slaw
Thursday: Rice Bowls with Mongolian Sauce
Friday: Chicken Enchiladas with Rice & Beans
Saturday: BBQ Beef Brisket with Potato Salad
Sunday: (Lunch) Chili Dogs with Tater Tots (Dinner) Pulled Pork Sandwiches
with Baked Beans (SUPERBOWL)

Also going on this weekend at the Carabiner:
Friday:Pool tournament at 8 PM
Saturday: Family night (Valentine's cards)
Sunday: Superbowl party starting at noon!
Hope to see you there! (DNC Employee Recreation 2/2/10)