WawonaNews.com - June 2020
Wawona Road Biomass Removal
Contractors will start hauling an estimated 6.5 million pounds of dead and down trees from along Wawona road from Alder Creek to the park/forest boundary near Goat Meadow Road. Delays up to 15 minutes can be expected between 7am to 6pm. Contractors will try to minimize wait times and emergency traffic will be allowed to pass. Material will go to biomass-fired electricity generating plants in Fresno and Sonora. This project removes high fuel loading on the road corridor, reduces potential smoke impacts, and helps offset carbon loss by burning biomass for electricity instead of burning coal or other carbon. It helps protects the communities of Wawona, Fish Camp, and the Mariposa Grove as part of an inter-agency collaboration with Mariposa County RCD and the Sierra National Forest. For more information email garrett_dickman@nps.gov. (G. Dickman)
Contractors will start hauling an estimated 6.5 million pounds of dead and down trees from along Wawona road from Alder Creek to the park/forest boundary near Goat Meadow Road. Delays up to 15 minutes can be expected between 7am to 6pm. Contractors will try to minimize wait times and emergency traffic will be allowed to pass. Material will go to biomass-fired electricity generating plants in Fresno and Sonora. This project removes high fuel loading on the road corridor, reduces potential smoke impacts, and helps offset carbon loss by burning biomass for electricity instead of burning coal or other carbon. It helps protects the communities of Wawona, Fish Camp, and the Mariposa Grove as part of an inter-agency collaboration with Mariposa County RCD and the Sierra National Forest. For more information email garrett_dickman@nps.gov. (G. Dickman)
Local Business Leaders Voice Concerns with Yosemite Reopening Plan
Posted by: SNO Staff June 1, 2020
MARIPOSA — Emphasizing that visitor safety remains their top priority, leaders of gateway communities in Madera and Mariposa counties are nonetheless voicing concern over planned new restricted access to Yosemite National Park.
“On May 18, Yosemite National Park leadership shared its draft reopening strategy with the region’s gateway communities. The proposal would limit daily access to 3,600 vehicles, 1,700 day-use passes … and another 1,900 passes for those with overnight reservations within the park,” said a joint press release issued by Visit Yosemite | Madera County and Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
“While the plan outlined by Park Service leadership is portrayed as adjustable and flexible, some local business leaders have expressed concerns that there is no commitment to a timetable to reassess the plan and lift restrictions to Yosemite National Park as health concerns are reduced,” the release also stated.
Local tourism officials are further concerned that the proposed park entry day use reservation system will be continued even after health risks are eliminated.
Park officials have already announced that shuttle service in Yosemite, critical for dispersing visitors around the park, will not operate in 2020.
The proposed plan is seen by local business leaders as too conservative when it comes to how many vehicles can enter the park each day. The park service has indicated that they intend to have about 50 percent of an average June day number of visitors. However, the purchase of an advance reservation, visitation to other parts of the park, and no-shows will reduce the actual number of vehicles in the Valley well below that number.
In the new reopening plan for Yosemite, entrance passes will now need to be secured at least 48 hours to 30 days in advance.
Long lead reservations and same day arrival visits to Yosemite National Park have been temporarily halted.
Many long-distance and international visitors to Yosemite make year-in-advance bookings for camping and other lodgings. Under new restrictions, visitors will no longer have the same access, especially if they are staying at a gateway hotel outside of the National Park.
“While we appreciate the efforts the Park Service has made, the limited number of day-use vehicle entries into the park are based on very conservative evaluations of the existing figures,” explained Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite | Madera County. “Being safe, while also still being respectful of the local economy is what we hope to achieve in partnership with the National Park Service.”
”Safety is our number one concern, for NPS, concession staff and the public,” said Jonathan Farrington, executive director of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “Creating a revised COVID-19 operating plan for a park which sees four million visitors annually is not a simple task. However, the draft plan is filled with unknowns. Our effort here is to work with the Park Service to have a clear path forward through the various stages of recovery that support the gateway communities.”
Yosemite welcomes visitors with more than 800 miles of open trails and wide-open vistas. 94% of the park is designated wilderness area. Understandably, high traffic areas will need to be monitored, however, social distancing is easily achievable in a location such as Yosemite National Park. The businesses in Yosemite’s gateway communities are ready to work toward solutions in partnership with National Park Service leaders.
Posted by: SNO Staff June 1, 2020
MARIPOSA — Emphasizing that visitor safety remains their top priority, leaders of gateway communities in Madera and Mariposa counties are nonetheless voicing concern over planned new restricted access to Yosemite National Park.
“On May 18, Yosemite National Park leadership shared its draft reopening strategy with the region’s gateway communities. The proposal would limit daily access to 3,600 vehicles, 1,700 day-use passes … and another 1,900 passes for those with overnight reservations within the park,” said a joint press release issued by Visit Yosemite | Madera County and Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
“While the plan outlined by Park Service leadership is portrayed as adjustable and flexible, some local business leaders have expressed concerns that there is no commitment to a timetable to reassess the plan and lift restrictions to Yosemite National Park as health concerns are reduced,” the release also stated.
Local tourism officials are further concerned that the proposed park entry day use reservation system will be continued even after health risks are eliminated.
Park officials have already announced that shuttle service in Yosemite, critical for dispersing visitors around the park, will not operate in 2020.
The proposed plan is seen by local business leaders as too conservative when it comes to how many vehicles can enter the park each day. The park service has indicated that they intend to have about 50 percent of an average June day number of visitors. However, the purchase of an advance reservation, visitation to other parts of the park, and no-shows will reduce the actual number of vehicles in the Valley well below that number.
In the new reopening plan for Yosemite, entrance passes will now need to be secured at least 48 hours to 30 days in advance.
Long lead reservations and same day arrival visits to Yosemite National Park have been temporarily halted.
Many long-distance and international visitors to Yosemite make year-in-advance bookings for camping and other lodgings. Under new restrictions, visitors will no longer have the same access, especially if they are staying at a gateway hotel outside of the National Park.
“While we appreciate the efforts the Park Service has made, the limited number of day-use vehicle entries into the park are based on very conservative evaluations of the existing figures,” explained Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite | Madera County. “Being safe, while also still being respectful of the local economy is what we hope to achieve in partnership with the National Park Service.”
”Safety is our number one concern, for NPS, concession staff and the public,” said Jonathan Farrington, executive director of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “Creating a revised COVID-19 operating plan for a park which sees four million visitors annually is not a simple task. However, the draft plan is filled with unknowns. Our effort here is to work with the Park Service to have a clear path forward through the various stages of recovery that support the gateway communities.”
Yosemite welcomes visitors with more than 800 miles of open trails and wide-open vistas. 94% of the park is designated wilderness area. Understandably, high traffic areas will need to be monitored, however, social distancing is easily achievable in a location such as Yosemite National Park. The businesses in Yosemite’s gateway communities are ready to work toward solutions in partnership with National Park Service leaders.
Fire Season Declared
June 2, 2020
Yosemite National Park has declared fire season starting June 2, 2020 due to hotter and drier weather conditions. Fire season is officially enacted when fire danger rating indices for the park show Moderate for 3 consecutive days.
Residential pile burning within the park is not permitted during the fire season in accordance with Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c)
Make sure to follow all fire rules and regulations when recreating and help prevent human caused wildfires by making sure your campfire is out cold when you leave by using the “drown, stir, and feel method.”
-NPS-
Remember to sign up for all local Yosemite alerts at: go.nps.gov/alert
For information planning your visit in Yosemite National Park visit :www.nps.gov/yose
For current fire information and updates go to: go.nps.gov/yosefire
June 2, 2020
Yosemite National Park has declared fire season starting June 2, 2020 due to hotter and drier weather conditions. Fire season is officially enacted when fire danger rating indices for the park show Moderate for 3 consecutive days.
Residential pile burning within the park is not permitted during the fire season in accordance with Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.13(c)
Make sure to follow all fire rules and regulations when recreating and help prevent human caused wildfires by making sure your campfire is out cold when you leave by using the “drown, stir, and feel method.”
-NPS-
Remember to sign up for all local Yosemite alerts at: go.nps.gov/alert
For information planning your visit in Yosemite National Park visit :www.nps.gov/yose
For current fire information and updates go to: go.nps.gov/yosefire
Park Entrance Fee-Waiver Stickers:
There has been a number of property owners who have yet to get their fee-waiver stickers issued, or renewed. As a reminder, here is the information on how to get these from the park. These stickers are NOT issued out of the Wawona Ranger Office or at South Entrance, so please don't call the Ranger Office regarding these.
Vehicle sticker issuance has been slowed by reduced staffing due to Park closure. Staff is returning and sticker requests are being processed according to Parker Davis, Deputy Fee Manager, YNPS
Dear Property Owner:
The National Park Service administers a vehicle sticker program to facilitate access to private property located within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. Landowner stickers are on a five-year cycle, which ended December 31, 2019. New stickers will be valid from January 2020 through December 2024.
You are receiving this letter because it is time to renew your fee exemption stickers. The sticker program assists entrance station rangers in quickly identifying individuals who are exempt from entrance fees, thus expediting your access to your property.
Expired stickers will be honored through April 15, 2020, enabling people who qualify for a sticker time to acquire a new one. Guests or family members visiting private property within Yosemite National Park, but who do not qualify for a vehicle sticker, are issued temporary gate passes at the entrance gate instead.
A vehicle sticker will be issued to property owners, trustees, and immediate family members. For vehicle stickers, please submit the following information to: yose_vehicle_stickers@nps.gov
• copy of vehicle registration(s) - only for vehicles they plan to drive here.
• phone number
• mailing address
• physical property address, e.g. 7930 Chilnualna Falls Rd
• details about their relationship to the homeowner, if it's someone other than the person writing the email.
• If they are the homeowner and are requesting stickers for their family, we need to know the relationship of the family members--son, daughter, mom, etc. We will not issue stickers to cousins/aunts/uncles unless they are listed as owners on the deed. The deed is very helpful in these situations.
While email is preferred, we will also accept submissions through the mail at the following address:
FeeManagement Office, PO Box 577, Yosemite CA 95389.
If you have any questions, please email yose_vehicle_stickers@nps.gov or call Parker Davis, Deputy Fee
Manager, at 209-372-0406.
Thank you for your time. We look forward to assisting you and your fellow landowners.
Sincerely,
Cicely Muldoon
Acting Superintendent
There has been a number of property owners who have yet to get their fee-waiver stickers issued, or renewed. As a reminder, here is the information on how to get these from the park. These stickers are NOT issued out of the Wawona Ranger Office or at South Entrance, so please don't call the Ranger Office regarding these.
Vehicle sticker issuance has been slowed by reduced staffing due to Park closure. Staff is returning and sticker requests are being processed according to Parker Davis, Deputy Fee Manager, YNPS
Dear Property Owner:
The National Park Service administers a vehicle sticker program to facilitate access to private property located within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. Landowner stickers are on a five-year cycle, which ended December 31, 2019. New stickers will be valid from January 2020 through December 2024.
You are receiving this letter because it is time to renew your fee exemption stickers. The sticker program assists entrance station rangers in quickly identifying individuals who are exempt from entrance fees, thus expediting your access to your property.
Expired stickers will be honored through April 15, 2020, enabling people who qualify for a sticker time to acquire a new one. Guests or family members visiting private property within Yosemite National Park, but who do not qualify for a vehicle sticker, are issued temporary gate passes at the entrance gate instead.
A vehicle sticker will be issued to property owners, trustees, and immediate family members. For vehicle stickers, please submit the following information to: yose_vehicle_stickers@nps.gov
• copy of vehicle registration(s) - only for vehicles they plan to drive here.
• phone number
• mailing address
• physical property address, e.g. 7930 Chilnualna Falls Rd
• details about their relationship to the homeowner, if it's someone other than the person writing the email.
• If they are the homeowner and are requesting stickers for their family, we need to know the relationship of the family members--son, daughter, mom, etc. We will not issue stickers to cousins/aunts/uncles unless they are listed as owners on the deed. The deed is very helpful in these situations.
While email is preferred, we will also accept submissions through the mail at the following address:
FeeManagement Office, PO Box 577, Yosemite CA 95389.
If you have any questions, please email yose_vehicle_stickers@nps.gov or call Parker Davis, Deputy Fee
Manager, at 209-372-0406.
Thank you for your time. We look forward to assisting you and your fellow landowners.
Sincerely,
Cicely Muldoon
Acting Superintendent
Detrick's Studio Documentary - by Tom Bopp
Yosemite will reopen; how is the big question
May 28, 2020
By GREG LITTLE Editor, Mariposa Gazzette
It’s clear Yosemite National Park is going to reopen.
When, however, remains a mystery as park officials continue to discuss the process of reopening.
Cicely Muldoon, interim superintendent of the world-famous park, revealed a draft reopening plan last week during a meeting hosted by Yosemite Gateway Partners.
“This is not set in stone,” said Muldoon at the beginning of the meeting.
Muldoon said their “catchword” is “flexibility.”
The superintendent said the main focus of reopening is safety for the visitors, employees and anyone who is at the park.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy this park safely,” said Muldoon. “It is a very different summer path we are heading down this year.”
Kathleen Morse, the chief planner at Yosemite, outlined some of the concepts which are being considered and are likely to be implemented once word comes down the park can reopen.
That word seems likely to be when California enters Stage 3 of the Covid-19 response.
When that happens remains to be seen, but it could be as early as next week.
“We don’t know exactly how visitors are going to respond,” said Morse.
She did say there are “key locations” which park service officials plan to monitor closely. Those include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, the Yosemite Lodge area, Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Village, Glacier Point, Swinging Bridge and Curry Village.
“The valley is going to be a primary job,” said Morse.
Another high area of concern is the entrance stations located around the park.
“That’s something we want to pay attention to,” said Morse.
“The entrance stations are going to look a little bit different this year,” said David Miyako, concessions specialist for the park service.
The initial plan is to allow around 1,700 vehicles through the gates each day. Morse said that is about half of what is normally seen in the summer and early fall months.
However, Morse said “about 30 percent” of vehicles don’t go to the valley, and there’s also the factor of how many employees enter the park each day. All of those issues are being considered by park officials.
One of the major changes will be for people who simply want to visit the park and don’t have reservations for accommodations.
Miyako said park officials are developing a day-use pass that will have to be purchased online. However, Miyako said there will still have to be some fee collections at the gates and officials are working on how to make that possible given the social distancing guidelines that remain in place.
Anyone who already has a pass (such as a senior citizen pass) won’t have to pay a fee to get in, but there will be a fee for online reservations.
They are “looking” at having the recreation.gov site as the place to purchase the day-use passes at Yosemite. That site is used by a lot of people already for other national park fess, including the cables at Half Dome in Yosemite.
Camping is another issue they are examining. As it stands now, there will be 60 sites at Lower Pines and 81 sites at Upper Pines “in the beginning,” said Miyako.
He also said they will be opening the backpackers’ campgrounds in the valley as well as at Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy. Miyako said they will “look at” the Hodgdon Meadows, Crane Flat and Bridalveil campground sites.
As for lodging, he said the Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge will be allowed to have 100 percent capacity. At Curry Village, it will be 50 percent.
There will also be food service at the two hotels, though it will only be for registered guests.
As for the Basecamp Eatery, one of the main food spots in the park, he said officials from Aramark, the park concessionaire, are looking at options and how to have food service but still keep social distancing guidelines.
Miyako did say the Ansel Adams Gallery will be open as well as the retail grocery stores and gas stations.
Kevin Killian, chief ranger at Yosemite, also spoke during the meeting and said officials are looking at various options for outdoor activities.
He said they will “convert some trails to one way” and “move some visitor services outdoors.”
There will also be limits placed on how many people can enter various buildings and they will be encouraging people to wear face coverings, though he said that is not mandatory at this point.
Officials will also be reconfiguring the kiosks in the park to encourage social distancing and they will be using electronic traffic signs to give out information.
“If we need to close down areas, we might do that,” said Killian. “We would like to give people an opportunity to come back to the park.”
“We think success looks like a measured approach,” said Muldoon. “Our hope is we can sustain access and not have to open and close — if we do it right.”
There was also a chance for citizens to ask questions and there were many.
One person inquired about the Half Dome cables and how that will work because it takes reservations. He said more information will be released when it become available.
Asked if Camp 4 was going to reopen, Killian said “not at first.”
Camp 4 is one of the largest and most heavily used campgrounds in Yosemite.
Another question was about vacation rentals. Miyako said for vacation rentals outside of the park, people will have to secure a pass before entering.
Also during the meeting, it was made clear the shuttle bus system inside the park will not be operating this year. Those buses are used heavily by visitors and shuttle people to various locations around Yosemite Valley.
Another question arose about charter buses. Miyako said the large charter buses will not be allowed in, at least in the beginning, and they are “working out” the details about allowing in smaller charter vehicles.
Muldoon did say the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation (YARTS) buses will be running, though details are still be worked out on where those buses may stop.
“We are working with YARTS right now,” said Morse. “It is a work in progress.”
Morse may have summed up the entire situation best when asked about how they came up with the various numbers of how many people will be allowed in the park.
“We are in something we have never seen before,” said Morse. “It is going to be a very flexible and adjustable process.”
More information about Yosemite National Park can be found online, including updates, at www.nps.gov/yose/.
May 28, 2020
By GREG LITTLE Editor, Mariposa Gazzette
It’s clear Yosemite National Park is going to reopen.
When, however, remains a mystery as park officials continue to discuss the process of reopening.
Cicely Muldoon, interim superintendent of the world-famous park, revealed a draft reopening plan last week during a meeting hosted by Yosemite Gateway Partners.
“This is not set in stone,” said Muldoon at the beginning of the meeting.
Muldoon said their “catchword” is “flexibility.”
The superintendent said the main focus of reopening is safety for the visitors, employees and anyone who is at the park.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy this park safely,” said Muldoon. “It is a very different summer path we are heading down this year.”
Kathleen Morse, the chief planner at Yosemite, outlined some of the concepts which are being considered and are likely to be implemented once word comes down the park can reopen.
That word seems likely to be when California enters Stage 3 of the Covid-19 response.
When that happens remains to be seen, but it could be as early as next week.
“We don’t know exactly how visitors are going to respond,” said Morse.
She did say there are “key locations” which park service officials plan to monitor closely. Those include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, the Yosemite Lodge area, Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Village, Glacier Point, Swinging Bridge and Curry Village.
“The valley is going to be a primary job,” said Morse.
Another high area of concern is the entrance stations located around the park.
“That’s something we want to pay attention to,” said Morse.
“The entrance stations are going to look a little bit different this year,” said David Miyako, concessions specialist for the park service.
The initial plan is to allow around 1,700 vehicles through the gates each day. Morse said that is about half of what is normally seen in the summer and early fall months.
However, Morse said “about 30 percent” of vehicles don’t go to the valley, and there’s also the factor of how many employees enter the park each day. All of those issues are being considered by park officials.
One of the major changes will be for people who simply want to visit the park and don’t have reservations for accommodations.
Miyako said park officials are developing a day-use pass that will have to be purchased online. However, Miyako said there will still have to be some fee collections at the gates and officials are working on how to make that possible given the social distancing guidelines that remain in place.
Anyone who already has a pass (such as a senior citizen pass) won’t have to pay a fee to get in, but there will be a fee for online reservations.
They are “looking” at having the recreation.gov site as the place to purchase the day-use passes at Yosemite. That site is used by a lot of people already for other national park fess, including the cables at Half Dome in Yosemite.
Camping is another issue they are examining. As it stands now, there will be 60 sites at Lower Pines and 81 sites at Upper Pines “in the beginning,” said Miyako.
He also said they will be opening the backpackers’ campgrounds in the valley as well as at Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy. Miyako said they will “look at” the Hodgdon Meadows, Crane Flat and Bridalveil campground sites.
As for lodging, he said the Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge will be allowed to have 100 percent capacity. At Curry Village, it will be 50 percent.
There will also be food service at the two hotels, though it will only be for registered guests.
As for the Basecamp Eatery, one of the main food spots in the park, he said officials from Aramark, the park concessionaire, are looking at options and how to have food service but still keep social distancing guidelines.
Miyako did say the Ansel Adams Gallery will be open as well as the retail grocery stores and gas stations.
Kevin Killian, chief ranger at Yosemite, also spoke during the meeting and said officials are looking at various options for outdoor activities.
He said they will “convert some trails to one way” and “move some visitor services outdoors.”
There will also be limits placed on how many people can enter various buildings and they will be encouraging people to wear face coverings, though he said that is not mandatory at this point.
Officials will also be reconfiguring the kiosks in the park to encourage social distancing and they will be using electronic traffic signs to give out information.
“If we need to close down areas, we might do that,” said Killian. “We would like to give people an opportunity to come back to the park.”
“We think success looks like a measured approach,” said Muldoon. “Our hope is we can sustain access and not have to open and close — if we do it right.”
There was also a chance for citizens to ask questions and there were many.
One person inquired about the Half Dome cables and how that will work because it takes reservations. He said more information will be released when it become available.
Asked if Camp 4 was going to reopen, Killian said “not at first.”
Camp 4 is one of the largest and most heavily used campgrounds in Yosemite.
Another question was about vacation rentals. Miyako said for vacation rentals outside of the park, people will have to secure a pass before entering.
Also during the meeting, it was made clear the shuttle bus system inside the park will not be operating this year. Those buses are used heavily by visitors and shuttle people to various locations around Yosemite Valley.
Another question arose about charter buses. Miyako said the large charter buses will not be allowed in, at least in the beginning, and they are “working out” the details about allowing in smaller charter vehicles.
Muldoon did say the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation (YARTS) buses will be running, though details are still be worked out on where those buses may stop.
“We are working with YARTS right now,” said Morse. “It is a work in progress.”
Morse may have summed up the entire situation best when asked about how they came up with the various numbers of how many people will be allowed in the park.
“We are in something we have never seen before,” said Morse. “It is going to be a very flexible and adjustable process.”
More information about Yosemite National Park can be found online, including updates, at www.nps.gov/yose/.
Need Some Trees Cut?
Goodbye to School Year 2019-2020 And Onward to Next Year!
YWECS experienced a very strange last trimester, like most of the country's school children. Students spent the last 11 weeks of school at home working online and on delivered work with materials. Stacy & Sylvia held weekly class meetings for language lessons as well as book talks. Students were able to connect through a weekly ZOOM recess as well as biweekly Flipgrid video topics. YWECS had a 90% participation rate and 82% completion of work- MUCH better than what most public schools saw.
YWECS experienced a very strange last trimester, like most of the country's school children. Students spent the last 11 weeks of school at home working online and on delivered work with materials. Stacy & Sylvia held weekly class meetings for language lessons as well as book talks. Students were able to connect through a weekly ZOOM recess as well as biweekly Flipgrid video topics. YWECS had a 90% participation rate and 82% completion of work- MUCH better than what most public schools saw.
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School year 2020-2021 should begin August 17th. The staff and school board are busy preparing for a reopening which falls within CDC guidelines and supports community and school families health and safety concerns. 14 students are currently registered for the coming school year. The school will accept 4 more applications for TK-6th grade students. During the summer, the school building will receive some much needed updates such as new tile, interior painting and some upkeep/changes to the outside grounds. Looking ahead- the school is looking for gardeners, artists, musicians, and sports enthusiasts to volunteer some of their time each week to mentor students.
Contact Stacyboydstun2019@gmail.com if you are interested.
YWECS plans on having its' annual silent auction fundraiser in October, details to follow.
A Time-Out: Listening to Birds And a Brook in The Wawona Meadow - By Tom Bopp
Yosemite Plans to Reopen Soon — But You Might Need a Reservation
Yosemite National Park may finally reopen as early as June, but with major changes: Visitors who want to spend the day at the famed Sierra Nevada destination would need a reservation and crowds would be limited to roughly half of normal.
Aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus, the plan drafted by Yosemite park officials has not been made widely public and still needs approval from the Trump Administration’s Department of the Interior.
Yosemite’s pending move comes as several prominent national parks throughout the United States — including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree — reopened in a limited way this week, some without hotels or restaurants.
Yosemite, which drew 4.4 million visitors last year, closed on March 20 as the coronavirus pandemic widened.
Park officials do not have an exact reopening date. But under their plan, when the park reopens — likely sometime in the next few weeks — park shuttle buses would not run in Yosemite Valley due to concerns from local health officials about crowds of people sitting in close quarters.
Visitors — who would be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks or face coverings — should expect changes. Many trails would be one-way. Bathrooms would be cleaned more often. And social distancing signs would be up at grocery stores and gas stations.
The Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge would fully reopen, as would at least two campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. Curry Village would reopen at half capacity, and Housekeeping Camp would remain closed.
“We want to protect public health and we want to reinvigorate the local economy that depends so much on Yosemite National Park,” said Cecily Muldoon, acting superintendent of Yosemite National Park, in a conference call Monday with elected officials and business leaders from surrounding counties.
Muldoon and other park officials have not granted interviews to discuss the plan, although they have begun to outline details to leaders of Mariposa, Madera, Tuolumne and Mono counties.
On Tuesday, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors voted to send a letter to the park endorsing it.
“I support what the park is doing,” said Mariposa County Supervisor Rosemarie Smallcombe. “Everybody is trying to determine how best to proceed to open our businesses and our tourism economy with a minimum impact on public health and our overburdened health care system. This is a good start.”
Local elected officials in Mariposa County say they support the effort because their economy has been decimated, despite worries that opening the park could bring in visitors who might carry COVID-19 and put their rural communities at risk. They say they hope that the park’s health safety guidelines and messaging to the public will reduce risk significantly.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Smallcombe said.
Muldoon, the superintendent, has said in recent meetings with local residents and officials that she hopes to open the park after Gov. Gavin Newsom moves the surrounding counties to Stage 3 in the state’s reopening plan. At that level, nearly all retail businesses, including restaurants, barber shops, gyms and hotels, can reopen, and people will be able to travel more widely for recreation.
At a press conference on Monday, Newsom said those changes are likely to be “weeks, not months away.”
Under Yosemite’s draft plan, visitors with overnight reservations at hotels or campgrounds inside the park would be allowed to drive in without buying a ticket to the park ahead of time.
But visitors coming in for the day would be required to first purchase a day pass, or entry ticket, online at recreation.gov — a website that books campgrounds, tours and other reservations at national parks, national forests and other federal lands. Entry tickets are not yet for sale at that website.
In the first phase of reopening, up to 1,700 such passes per day would be sold at the usual entry rate of $35 per vehicle. Combined with the estimated 1,900 vehicles a day that would be expected to enter the park from people with overnight reservations at hotels and campgrounds, the total would be roughly half of the 7,700 vehicles a day that entered the park on average last June, according to park planners.
Cars that arrived at Yosemite’s gates without a day pass would be turned around. Bus riders on the YARTS system, a regional transportation system that takes people in and out of the park from the surrounding counties, could get in without a reservation for the day, although YARTS buses would be running at limited capacity to ensure social distancing of passengers.
Parks experts say if the public follows health guidelines, the plan could work. If they don’t, and outbreaks occur, the park could close again.
“When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened a couple of weeks ago, they were overwhelmed,” said Phil Francis, chairman of the Coalition to protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit group of former national parks employees. “People walked on trails that were supposed to be closed. They were in large groups. They didn’t wear masks. It was a big problem.”
Francis, a former Yosemite deputy superintendent, said he thinks it is too soon to open hotels.
“I understand the economic aspect. I really appreciate it,” he said. “But if you don’t do it right this time, you are probably going to have to close again. So it’s a lot better to move slowly and get it right.”
Yosemite National Park may finally reopen as early as June, but with major changes: Visitors who want to spend the day at the famed Sierra Nevada destination would need a reservation and crowds would be limited to roughly half of normal.
Aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus, the plan drafted by Yosemite park officials has not been made widely public and still needs approval from the Trump Administration’s Department of the Interior.
Yosemite’s pending move comes as several prominent national parks throughout the United States — including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree — reopened in a limited way this week, some without hotels or restaurants.
Yosemite, which drew 4.4 million visitors last year, closed on March 20 as the coronavirus pandemic widened.
Park officials do not have an exact reopening date. But under their plan, when the park reopens — likely sometime in the next few weeks — park shuttle buses would not run in Yosemite Valley due to concerns from local health officials about crowds of people sitting in close quarters.
Visitors — who would be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks or face coverings — should expect changes. Many trails would be one-way. Bathrooms would be cleaned more often. And social distancing signs would be up at grocery stores and gas stations.
The Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge would fully reopen, as would at least two campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. Curry Village would reopen at half capacity, and Housekeeping Camp would remain closed.
“We want to protect public health and we want to reinvigorate the local economy that depends so much on Yosemite National Park,” said Cecily Muldoon, acting superintendent of Yosemite National Park, in a conference call Monday with elected officials and business leaders from surrounding counties.
Muldoon and other park officials have not granted interviews to discuss the plan, although they have begun to outline details to leaders of Mariposa, Madera, Tuolumne and Mono counties.
On Tuesday, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors voted to send a letter to the park endorsing it.
“I support what the park is doing,” said Mariposa County Supervisor Rosemarie Smallcombe. “Everybody is trying to determine how best to proceed to open our businesses and our tourism economy with a minimum impact on public health and our overburdened health care system. This is a good start.”
Local elected officials in Mariposa County say they support the effort because their economy has been decimated, despite worries that opening the park could bring in visitors who might carry COVID-19 and put their rural communities at risk. They say they hope that the park’s health safety guidelines and messaging to the public will reduce risk significantly.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Smallcombe said.
Muldoon, the superintendent, has said in recent meetings with local residents and officials that she hopes to open the park after Gov. Gavin Newsom moves the surrounding counties to Stage 3 in the state’s reopening plan. At that level, nearly all retail businesses, including restaurants, barber shops, gyms and hotels, can reopen, and people will be able to travel more widely for recreation.
At a press conference on Monday, Newsom said those changes are likely to be “weeks, not months away.”
Under Yosemite’s draft plan, visitors with overnight reservations at hotels or campgrounds inside the park would be allowed to drive in without buying a ticket to the park ahead of time.
But visitors coming in for the day would be required to first purchase a day pass, or entry ticket, online at recreation.gov — a website that books campgrounds, tours and other reservations at national parks, national forests and other federal lands. Entry tickets are not yet for sale at that website.
In the first phase of reopening, up to 1,700 such passes per day would be sold at the usual entry rate of $35 per vehicle. Combined with the estimated 1,900 vehicles a day that would be expected to enter the park from people with overnight reservations at hotels and campgrounds, the total would be roughly half of the 7,700 vehicles a day that entered the park on average last June, according to park planners.
Cars that arrived at Yosemite’s gates without a day pass would be turned around. Bus riders on the YARTS system, a regional transportation system that takes people in and out of the park from the surrounding counties, could get in without a reservation for the day, although YARTS buses would be running at limited capacity to ensure social distancing of passengers.
Parks experts say if the public follows health guidelines, the plan could work. If they don’t, and outbreaks occur, the park could close again.
“When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened a couple of weeks ago, they were overwhelmed,” said Phil Francis, chairman of the Coalition to protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit group of former national parks employees. “People walked on trails that were supposed to be closed. They were in large groups. They didn’t wear masks. It was a big problem.”
Francis, a former Yosemite deputy superintendent, said he thinks it is too soon to open hotels.
“I understand the economic aspect. I really appreciate it,” he said. “But if you don’t do it right this time, you are probably going to have to close again. So it’s a lot better to move slowly and get it right.”
Wawona School Community Garden
The Wawona school has a wonderful enclosed gardening area that has been sitting by unused. Community residents are invited to come make use of the great space! The beds have been reinforced, soil has been remixed and tilled. Community members are currently working on repairing the irrigation but for now a hose and watering can are available. You may claim your own space, or add to the community beds. An NPS list of suggested plants will be listed on the garden gate. Our goal is for the humans to enjoy the harvest, not necessarily the other residents of Wawona. :-)
The school hopes to continue rotational crops and have resident gardeners work with the students when they return in August.
Please follow social distancing safety guidelines while enjoying our community garden.
The Wawona school has a wonderful enclosed gardening area that has been sitting by unused. Community residents are invited to come make use of the great space! The beds have been reinforced, soil has been remixed and tilled. Community members are currently working on repairing the irrigation but for now a hose and watering can are available. You may claim your own space, or add to the community beds. An NPS list of suggested plants will be listed on the garden gate. Our goal is for the humans to enjoy the harvest, not necessarily the other residents of Wawona. :-)
The school hopes to continue rotational crops and have resident gardeners work with the students when they return in August.
Please follow social distancing safety guidelines while enjoying our community garden.
Defensible Space Inspections Begin on June 10th, 2020
Are you fire ready? Yosemite National Park fire staff will begin conducting defensible space inspections in the park’s communities on June 10th. Inspections are educational and the inspector will maintain social distancing.
Creating and maintaining defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.
It is always important to maintain year-round clearance to become wildfire ready. Every house that meets the recommendations helps keep the entire community safer from fire spread.
-NPS-
For questions about defensible space inspections contact: yose_fire_prevention@nps.gov
For more information regarding defensible space go to: http://www.readyforwildfire.org
Remember to sign up for all local Yosemite alerts at: go.nps.gov/alert
Are you fire ready? Yosemite National Park fire staff will begin conducting defensible space inspections in the park’s communities on June 10th. Inspections are educational and the inspector will maintain social distancing.
Creating and maintaining defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.
It is always important to maintain year-round clearance to become wildfire ready. Every house that meets the recommendations helps keep the entire community safer from fire spread.
-NPS-
For questions about defensible space inspections contact: yose_fire_prevention@nps.gov
For more information regarding defensible space go to: http://www.readyforwildfire.org
Remember to sign up for all local Yosemite alerts at: go.nps.gov/alert
Pile Burning May 2020
Cooler and wetter weather conditions are predicted for next week. Starting Sunday May 17th, Yosemite National Park will continue pile burning throughout the park once adequate precipitation is received and as fuel and weather conditions allow. Burning piles is an efficient and effective way for reducing excessive fuel build-up on the landscape. These piles are remnants of mechanical thinning from forestry operations and large-scale landscape restoration projects. Pile burning sites include:
Yosemite Valley Wahoga, Yellow Pines Campground area, and multiple locations on the western side in Yosemite Valley.
Wawona Multiple locations throughout the community of Wawona
West Side of Wawona Road (Highway 41) Piles built during the Ferguson fire of 2018 along 11 Mile road
Wood lot piles Foresta, El Portal, Hodgdon, Yosemite Valley, and Wawona
Smoke will be present during pile burning operations. However, smoke produced during pile burning is significantly less than if an unwanted wildfire occurs. Smoke from ignited piles will remain until the piles are completely consumed.
Fire managers work closely with the local air pollution control districts to time the projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin pile burning operations. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit. Please use caution while traveling in these areas and make sure to look for signs on the roadways that say, “Prescribed Fire Do Not Report” or “Smoke on Road”, this usually means crews are working close to the roads.
-NPS-
For More Information: Fire Information:yose_fire_info@nps.gov Yosemite National Park Fire Information Website: go.nps.gov/yosefire Facebook: @yosemitefire Twitter: @yosemitefire Park Information line: 209-372-0200
Cooler and wetter weather conditions are predicted for next week. Starting Sunday May 17th, Yosemite National Park will continue pile burning throughout the park once adequate precipitation is received and as fuel and weather conditions allow. Burning piles is an efficient and effective way for reducing excessive fuel build-up on the landscape. These piles are remnants of mechanical thinning from forestry operations and large-scale landscape restoration projects. Pile burning sites include:
Yosemite Valley Wahoga, Yellow Pines Campground area, and multiple locations on the western side in Yosemite Valley.
Wawona Multiple locations throughout the community of Wawona
West Side of Wawona Road (Highway 41) Piles built during the Ferguson fire of 2018 along 11 Mile road
Wood lot piles Foresta, El Portal, Hodgdon, Yosemite Valley, and Wawona
Smoke will be present during pile burning operations. However, smoke produced during pile burning is significantly less than if an unwanted wildfire occurs. Smoke from ignited piles will remain until the piles are completely consumed.
Fire managers work closely with the local air pollution control districts to time the projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin pile burning operations. Burning will only be conducted under favorable dispersal conditions as specified in the smoke permit. Please use caution while traveling in these areas and make sure to look for signs on the roadways that say, “Prescribed Fire Do Not Report” or “Smoke on Road”, this usually means crews are working close to the roads.
-NPS-
For More Information: Fire Information:yose_fire_info@nps.gov Yosemite National Park Fire Information Website: go.nps.gov/yosefire Facebook: @yosemitefire Twitter: @yosemitefire Park Information line: 209-372-0200
Secrets of Wawona - by Tom Bopp
June 6th WAPPOA Meeting Cancelled Due to Covid-19 Situation.
Our next WAPPOA Meeting is scheduled for October 10th and hopefully we will be able to have the meeting. We will keep you informed. The Board has had discussions on a virtual general meeting via Zoom or other service. We will need your e-mail to be included.
Best Regards,
Cheryl Kanaan
WAPPOA President
Cherylkanaan@gmail.com
559-974-0661 (cell)
Our next WAPPOA Meeting is scheduled for October 10th and hopefully we will be able to have the meeting. We will keep you informed. The Board has had discussions on a virtual general meeting via Zoom or other service. We will need your e-mail to be included.
Best Regards,
Cheryl Kanaan
WAPPOA President
Cherylkanaan@gmail.com
559-974-0661 (cell)
Additional Library Resource in Wawona
Wawona School is making our small collection of books and children's games available to you. Keep in mind, this is a K-6th grade school. No adult novels available but some really great young adult authors!
Nonfiction: Biographies, Science, History (World, US and National Parks), and lots from The Arts (artists, performing, how to books).
Picture books: Lots for all level readers
Chapter Books: Classics, series (Dear America, Magic Treehouse, Harry Potter, to name a few), favorite authors.
Stop on by and see what we have!
Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 am to 11:30 a.m.
We will have procedures in place to keep everyone safe and healthy. 1 person/family at a time in our library. There will be a check out table and a return cart.
If you have any questions or requests, you may contact Stacy Boydstun @ stacyboydstun2019@gmail.com
Wawona School is making our small collection of books and children's games available to you. Keep in mind, this is a K-6th grade school. No adult novels available but some really great young adult authors!
Nonfiction: Biographies, Science, History (World, US and National Parks), and lots from The Arts (artists, performing, how to books).
Picture books: Lots for all level readers
Chapter Books: Classics, series (Dear America, Magic Treehouse, Harry Potter, to name a few), favorite authors.
Stop on by and see what we have!
Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 am to 11:30 a.m.
We will have procedures in place to keep everyone safe and healthy. 1 person/family at a time in our library. There will be a check out table and a return cart.
If you have any questions or requests, you may contact Stacy Boydstun @ stacyboydstun2019@gmail.com
Wawona and Yosemite West Vegetation Pick-Up and Clearance
Wawona Pine Needle Pick-Up is still on schedule June 8– June 12. Your pile must be ready by Monday, June 8. If it is not ready by the time the equipment is in your area, they will not go back and pick up late piles. One pile per property, along the road in front of your property, and in an unobstructed area where the equipment can easily access your needle pile. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to a maximum length of 3 feet. Only vegetation material will be picked up. No construction materials or large branches.
Yosemite National Park, Aramark, & UC Merced properties are not part of the Special Services District and are not included in the pick-up.
If your address is on an out-of-the-way street, you can call or e-mail Samuel Creveny so your needle pile won’t be missed. The new point of contact for pine needle pick-up is Samuel Creveny, (209) 966-5165, Email: scerveny@mariposacounty.org. He replaces Calvin Jones.
Yosemite West, property owners should proceed with normal springtime raking/disposal of pine needles and stacking branches/limbs into flagged chipping piles.
The YWPHI-sponsored free-chipping for all Yosemite West property owners WILL proceed on Tuesday, May 26, since the chipping crew's work does not involve any social contact.
See instructions in flyer at: http://yosemitewest.org/2020%20Chipping.pdf including required signup instructions by sending email to grants@yosemitewest.org
If a property owner has a need to access their property themselves for fire hazard/defensible space clearance, they must show proof of ownership and matching identification at the entrance gate. If they need to allow another family member/worker/contractor to access their property to conduct defensible space clearance, they must provide the park with a written letter or email of "Authorization to Access Property". The letter must state the name and contact information of the property owner, address of the property, name of the individual(s) being granted access, and expected date(s) and frequency of access. Entrance into the park will be granted with the letter and a valid identification. Send the letter/email to chad_andrews@nps.gov.
Prepare yourself and your property to become Wildfire Ready:
Shanelle Saunders
Fire Communication and Education Specialist
Fire Information Officer
Yosemite National Park
C: 209-347-6395
M-Th: 0730-1800
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Additional Information from WAPPOA – concerning local residents who will clear your property for you
If you do not feel comfortable going to Wawona because of the California stay-in-place mandates, but want to get your property cleared up according to the fire safety standards from the Fire Service, we have found 5 local residents who will clear your lot and place your debris pile in the proper place. Please contact them to discuss the time frame and the cost.
Lasen Andrews, 209-347-0217 or lasenandrews@gmail.com
Nancy Robbins, 209-617-7147 (voice or text)
Warren Alford, 480-332-7415 (voice or text)
Ashley Forrest, 970-238-8807 (voice or text)
Peter Mark, 559-760-1979
(Thanks to Wayne Heringer and John Klein for finding these people!)
If you cannot get your property cleared before June 8th,
you can clear it later and take your debris to the Wawona wood pile near the Fire Station. (The County will not come back to pick up piles once they’ve come through the week of June 8th.) You should call Parker Bevington, our Fire Captain, or Shanelle for more information. There will not be a fine if your property isn’t cleared by June 8, but please remember that fire safety on all of the lots is important for community fire safety.
Wawona Pine Needle Pick-Up is still on schedule June 8– June 12. Your pile must be ready by Monday, June 8. If it is not ready by the time the equipment is in your area, they will not go back and pick up late piles. One pile per property, along the road in front of your property, and in an unobstructed area where the equipment can easily access your needle pile. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to a maximum length of 3 feet. Only vegetation material will be picked up. No construction materials or large branches.
Yosemite National Park, Aramark, & UC Merced properties are not part of the Special Services District and are not included in the pick-up.
If your address is on an out-of-the-way street, you can call or e-mail Samuel Creveny so your needle pile won’t be missed. The new point of contact for pine needle pick-up is Samuel Creveny, (209) 966-5165, Email: scerveny@mariposacounty.org. He replaces Calvin Jones.
Yosemite West, property owners should proceed with normal springtime raking/disposal of pine needles and stacking branches/limbs into flagged chipping piles.
The YWPHI-sponsored free-chipping for all Yosemite West property owners WILL proceed on Tuesday, May 26, since the chipping crew's work does not involve any social contact.
See instructions in flyer at: http://yosemitewest.org/2020%20Chipping.pdf including required signup instructions by sending email to grants@yosemitewest.org
If a property owner has a need to access their property themselves for fire hazard/defensible space clearance, they must show proof of ownership and matching identification at the entrance gate. If they need to allow another family member/worker/contractor to access their property to conduct defensible space clearance, they must provide the park with a written letter or email of "Authorization to Access Property". The letter must state the name and contact information of the property owner, address of the property, name of the individual(s) being granted access, and expected date(s) and frequency of access. Entrance into the park will be granted with the letter and a valid identification. Send the letter/email to chad_andrews@nps.gov.
Prepare yourself and your property to become Wildfire Ready:
- Sign up for local YNP alerts at go.nps.gov/alert
- For more tips, go to www.readyforwildfire.org
Shanelle Saunders
Fire Communication and Education Specialist
Fire Information Officer
Yosemite National Park
C: 209-347-6395
M-Th: 0730-1800
go.nps.gov/yosefire
Additional Information from WAPPOA – concerning local residents who will clear your property for you
If you do not feel comfortable going to Wawona because of the California stay-in-place mandates, but want to get your property cleared up according to the fire safety standards from the Fire Service, we have found 5 local residents who will clear your lot and place your debris pile in the proper place. Please contact them to discuss the time frame and the cost.
Lasen Andrews, 209-347-0217 or lasenandrews@gmail.com
Nancy Robbins, 209-617-7147 (voice or text)
Warren Alford, 480-332-7415 (voice or text)
Ashley Forrest, 970-238-8807 (voice or text)
Peter Mark, 559-760-1979
(Thanks to Wayne Heringer and John Klein for finding these people!)
If you cannot get your property cleared before June 8th,
you can clear it later and take your debris to the Wawona wood pile near the Fire Station. (The County will not come back to pick up piles once they’ve come through the week of June 8th.) You should call Parker Bevington, our Fire Captain, or Shanelle for more information. There will not be a fine if your property isn’t cleared by June 8, but please remember that fire safety on all of the lots is important for community fire safety.
