Mariposa And Yosemite News From July - December 2006

Mariposa

Yosemite

6-30-06
The recall  for Mariposa County Supervisor Dianne Fritz has
failed. After checking the nearly 500 petition names that were turned in for accuracy (no double votes, voter in the correct district, voter not deceased and other qualifiers) apparently 90 or more must have been incorrect as it would have taken about 410 qualified voters names to put the recall on the November ballot.

6-29-06

Bob Larson of the Mariposa Gem And Mineral Club cuts geodes for the public to purchase last night at the 7th street  "Street Fair
and Farmers Market". In the background Yvonne Sarazin is selling
handcrafted fine jewelry and also wire wrapping custom orders at
the Wednesday night fair.

With cooler weather yesterday than last Wednesday more people came out for the street fair and farmers market on 7th street in Mariposa. Stores and restaurants stayed open later and at the Arts Park, Tim Hager was playing Acoustic Blues on his guitar.
The tourists and locals alike enjoyed buying organic fresh vegetables and homemade breads and then looking at all the crafts and other items that the local vendors had for sale.
This is becoming a great event for Mariposa and the potential for growth is tremendous.
Take a tour down to the Central Valley to see how other street fairs are handled and you will find public streets closed, bands playing, and people out enjoying themselves during summer evenings and weekend mornings.
 

Tim Hager playing acoustic blues at the Arts Park in Mariposa.

Current Situation:  The Ferguson Rockslide Incident, located on the Sierra National Forest in the Merced River Canyon, still remains active.  Smaller size rocks continue to fall on a periodic basis.  Field observers continue monitoring the slide mass 24 hours a day and emergency response communications are in place to report any catastrophic movement or river inundation.  The geology report and the multi-agency response plan are being finalized and will be available on the incident website (http://inciweb.org) by the end of the week.
Caltrans has been working on a temporary solution, which is a series of Temporary-Emergency bridges, around the slide area.  Residents of El Portal were briefed at a public meeting on Monday evening, June 26^th.  At that time, Caltrans explained the procedure they were going to use.  Permanent solutions are also being explored by Caltrans. 
Meanwhile, Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal, and Yosemite National Park visitor and information centers, businesses, and accommodations are ALL OPEN FOR BUSINESS.  Commercial rafting companies remain open and continue to offer rafting trips seven days a week.

6-27-06
Update: 6:55 PM
Caltrans is getting ready a temporary one way bridge to cross the Merced River and then fixing the old railroad grade on that side of the river for about six miles to the Foresta Bridge and then back over to the 140. No tour busses or other vehicles that will be over a certain size ( Still being discussed) will be allowed. The long school busses also will not be on this route but the small ones might be.
Opening date if all turns out as expected, meaning permits are signed on time, the report from the geologist is positive, will be about July 15th. The road will be closed at night to traffic.
While that bridge is operating Caltrans will be constructing another bridge closer to the slide so there will only be about a half a mile of driving on the other side of the river before coming back over the river to get back on the 140.
More later !


Mariposa Courthouse signing ceremony today at 11:30 AM.
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Administrative Office of the Courts and the County of Mariposa for the Continued use of the Historic Mariposa County Courthouse.

Board of Supervisors Meeting at 9:00 AM.

6-26-06
Brad Aborn wins over Lee Stetson by 10 votes !
That is the official count. He will take office on January 8th, 2007.
More later from the Sierra Sun Times !

Cal Trans will be hosting a public meeting today at the El Portal Community Center.
Place: El Portal Community Center
Date: Monday, June 26, 2006
Time: 6:00pm
For more information contact the Ferguson Rockslide Information Center at: (209) 966-6174

New Slide Information Officer:
Glenn Bell is the new information officer for the Ferguson Slide.
Same phone number  (209) 966-6174

Remember the Board of Supervisors meeting for
tomorrow at 9:00 AM
here is what is on the agenda:  June 27, 2006

And also: The school district will present possible options to deal with the Highway 140 slide to the public at their July 20th meeting.

6-24-06
Last night at the Mariposa Museum and History Center:
Mariposa Museum,
Dr. Wilkinson from the Bureau of Interior, a geologist gave a talk on how gold  came to be in this area. The presentation was well attended by about 20 very interested people with quite a few questions that were answered by Dr.Wilkinson.
He lectured that gold came from the stars and was formed from previous supernovas before the planet earth was around. And then as all this spinning material started coming together as planets some of this gold was deposited in our planet earth.
He also stated that we have gold in our body in about the same concentration as the oceans, 10 - 15 micrograms !
He also gave us clues on how to find gold by looking for associated minerals that are commonly found with gold. Many other gold related facts and stories were  also told by Dr. Wilkinson.

The next speaker was Mr. Jack Wildt who gave a talk on miners who worked in the Mariposa mines. Mr. Wildt is one of the last remaining miners in the area and is a vast storehouse of information on how to mine, who mined and where the gold is !
Many questions were asked as Mr. Wildt told tales of how the miners got the quartz  out of the mines and then crushed it to recover the gold inside !
He had the audience laughing with some special limericks that you will have to ask him in person to repeat.
Mr. Wildt said that about 90% of the mines closed during World War ll never to reopen due to costs associated with opening a mine.
He reminded us about all the permits needed today with gold mining compared to what they did in the old days.
The audience could have listened to his stories for hours, but the clock was ticking and cake and punch was waiting for everyone to partake in.


Slide information:
Pam Bierce is the Incident Information Officer.
209-966-6174

Current Situation: The Ferguson Rockslide Incident is located on the Sierra National Forest in the Merced River Canyon. Field observers remain monitoring the slide mass 24 hours a day and emergency response communications are in place to report any catastrophic movement or river inundation.

Geological findings show that the rockslide continues to be active. A large-scale movement could occur at any time. Per recommendations of the Incident Management Team, accurate monitoring will continue because of concerns for public safety in the canyon. Geologists will continue to advise the Sierra National Forest on possible long-term scenarios

A Caltrans team of specialists are working on a safe temporary solution to opening Highway 140. At this time focus is on the logistics of a two bridge crossing that would cross the river on either side of the slide. However, this has not been presented as the final solution. Caltrans hopes to have a solution in place within 60 days.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far!
As the mercury topped out at 95.9 at 3317 feet of elevation.
The town of Mariposa had to be a few degrees hotter.
Drink plenty of fluids, watch for animals in distress and people that
might need help this weekend !

6-23-06
From Caltrans:
(Mariposa County)  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has authorized Teichert Construction to begin building two temporary bridges around the Ferguson Rock Slide on State Route 140 in Mariposa County. 

 Teichert has been given notice to proceed today and will begin to mobilize equipment and bridge parts into the canyon.  However, no actual work in the river can begin until concurrence from the resource agencies is received.  “The Department has full confidence that all resource agencies will be providing their full cooperation” says Kome Ajise, District 10 Director.
This project will require additional logistics to complete. "The situation is dynamic and requires much coordination" says Ajise.
Cost estimates and completion dates are currently under development.  Caltrans is committed to providing information on the project cost and schedule as the information becomes available.

6-22-06 

The organic vegetable growers were in the parking lot across from the River Rock Inn.

The Mariposa Street Fair yesterday was well attended even though the first hour or so was warm as the breeze that was blowing the flags on Highway 140 refused to turn the corner and head up 7th street.
Farmers were selling organic vegetables, vendors were selling everything from custom made jewelry to antiques, flower baskets, stained glass, fresh made bread and other items. A massage tent was set up for those with achy muscles and tight tendons and a kettle corn man was selling fresh popcorn that everyone seemed to be eating.
A couple of musicians strolled through the area as tourists and locals alike intermingled with the vendors and each other sharing stories of things to do, places to go or places they have been to.
All in all it was a great way to start the Mariposa Street Fair which will be held on Wednesdays on 7th Street starting around 5:00 PM
Mariposa Time!
 

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far as the mercury reached 89.7 degrees at 3317 feet of elevation. With the town of Mariposa somewhat hotter than that !  Watch out for the next few days as the National Weather Service has put out a heat alert.
Some locations by Sunday could see a high of 110 degrees !
Drink plenty of fluids and keep fresh cool water out for the animals.


6-21-06 
According to sources Mr.Aborn still has a slight lead over Mr.Stetson of 12 votes.
Remember voting is important and your vote does make a difference as this close vote count shows.
Here is part of what took place yesterday at the Board Of Supervisors Meeting :
Mariposa Board of Supervisors Agenda      

New population figures from the Government !
Mariposa is ranked number 53 out of 58 counties for most people in the county. The Census estimates for 2005 are that 18,069 residents live in Mariposa County. There were 17,929 residents
last year residing in the county. An increase of 140 residents.
 

6-20-06
Who  will have more votes? Mr.Aborn or Mr.Stetson ?
It is very close !
Did the cinema in Mariposa get the funding it requested?
Do you have current slide info ?
How much money does it cost to rent the building for the Grand Jury ?
Find out tomorrow in the Sierra Sun Times as we give an update
on the  6-20-06 Board Of Supervisor Meeting !

Mariposa Board of Supervisors Meeting Today @ 9:00 AM

6-19-06
 
Notes from last weeks Board Of Supervisors Meeting:
Mariposa Board of Supervisors Agenda    



6-18-06      12:35 PM
Slide Update from  Debbie Santiago (209) 966-6174

Pam Bierce new
Information officer   209-966-6174 or 209-966-6167
Allen Johnson’s team is completing their assignment and will return to their respective agencies tomorrow, Monday June 18th. The team thanks the communities and cooperating agencies for their strong support during this incident. The Sierra National Forest will resume command of the incident Monday morning and continued partnership with all the cooperating agencies. Denise Tolmie will be the new Incident Commander assigned.

Geological findings show that the rockslide is actively throwing large rocks. A large-scale movement may occur at any time. Initial recommendations of the Incident Management Team are for continued, accurate monitoring because of concerns for public safety in the canyon. Geologists will continue to advise the Incident Management Team on possible long-term scenarios. A full report is due this week.

Finalize Interagency long-term response and communication plans. FS geologist compiling reports from other agency geologists into a final geological overview and recommendation report. 

6-18-06       7:20 AM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754

Allen Johnson’s team is completing their mission assignment and will return to their respective agencies. The Sierra National Forest will resume responsibility for the incident Monday with continued involvement by the cooperating agencies. Incident information will be disseminated from the information center currently established and with the phone numbers cited below.tion Officer (661) 332-1754

Additionally, all Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and Yosemite National Park visitor and information centers, businesses, and accommodations are open for business. Commercial rafting companies remain open and continue to offer rafting trips seven days a week. The rockslide can be seen live via satellite link. The web address is: http://msmedia.dot.ca.gov/oasis4


6-17-06
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Specialists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) were on site this week, researching and monitoring the rockslide from the ground and by air. Preliminary findings show that the slide is not currently moving significantly, but large-scale movement may occur at any time. Initial recommendations to the Incident Management Team are for continued, accurate monitoring because of concerns for public safety in the canyon. These geologists will continue to advise the Incident Management Team on possible long-term scenarios. A full report is due next week.


6-15-06         12:15 PM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Specialists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are on site, researching and monitoring the rockslide from the ground and by air. Preliminary findings show that the slide is not currently moving significantly, but large-scale movement may occur at any time. Initial recommendations to the Incident Management Team are for continued, accurate monitoring because of concerns for public safety in the canyon. These geologists will continue to advise the Incident Management Team on possible long-term scenarios.


  10:45 AM
Meeting tonight in El Portal:
The meeting in El Portal will be at the El Portal Community Center on Thursday night, June 15, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

Inciweb.org has maps up showing:  Map Modeling Potential 100-foot Dam Scenario and 50 foot scenario
Links:
InciWeb: Map Modeling Potential 100-foot Dam Scenario

InciWeb: Map Modeling Potential 50-foot Dam Scenario

Also:
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
USGS Specialists, continuing to assess potential for catastrophic rockslide. ACOE geologist is working on dam breach scenarios and reported that if a rockslide dam (50 foot or 100 foot) were to form and breach, the impact to Lake McClure would be negligible. Forest closure around the slide area restricts all public access, including river rafting, within ¼ mile of either side of the Merced River between the confluences of Ned Gulch and the South Fork of the Merced River. Caltrans road closure extends beyond the Forest Closure order.  
Interagency geologist review of the long-term response and communication plans continues. USGS specialists are assisting in the development of a debris dam breach scenario with the ACOE and FS geologists during the remainder of the week. 

6-14-06        10:35 PM
Quick info on the Yosemite Bug slide meeting;
About 85 residents showed up, the restaurant was packed like sardines. 7:00 - 9:30 PM.
The USGS gave a report on scenarios of a rock slide dam with water flow facts. Main Facts: worst case - 100 foot dam and the water would overflow, 4,000 acre feet  backed up would not affect Lake McClure.
The Geologist said the middle part of the slide appears to not be moving. But needs precise instruments for monitoring. Could Stop Moving this summer. But winter rains or an earthquake could bring the slide down. He said "A lot of guessing" is being done. As they compare this slide to other slides.
The sheriff dept said it is concerned with El Portal citizens in the winter months for emergency services.
A spokesperson for Yosemite National Park  said  the park is doing everything it can for it's workers who are located outside of the park. From providing housing in  the park to people working in Mariposa.
CALtrans: plans are in place for a scenario for a bridge to cross the river and then back to the 140. If Slide stops moving a best case would be to have a bridge in place within 90 days.
More info tomorrow.
 

6-14-06
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Community meetings will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at the Yosemite Bug Hostel in Midpines, CA, at 7 p.m. and on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at the El Portal Community Hall, in El Portal, CA at 6 p.m.
A Spanish language interpreter will be present at the El Portal meeting. Agency representatives, geologists and other resource specialists will be available to answer questions and address community concerns

USGS specialists are scheduled to evaluate the slide area from the air on Tuesday, June 13, and will develop a debris dam breach scenario with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Forest Service Geologists during the remainder of the week. 

Additionally, all Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal and Yosemite National Park visitor and information centers, businesses, and accommodations are open for business. Commercial rafting companies remain open and continue to offer rafting trips seven days a week.

The rockslide can be seen via satellite link. The web address is: http://msmedia.dot.ca.gov/oasis4.

The slide remains active throughout the day, although the last 24 hours have shown a decrease in large boulder activity. A team of geologists from USGS, USFS, NPS, Army Corps of Engineers, and Caltrans are on site, researching and monitoring both from the ground and using aerial reconnaissance to gain additional information on the movement of the rockslide. Preliminary geology reports should be out by the end of the week.

6-12-06        1:00 PM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Large rocks and debris continue to fall throughout the day, tossing many large boulders into the river. A team of geologists from USGS, USFS, NPS, Army Corps of Engineers and Caltrans will be at the site this week, researching and monitoring on the ground and by aerial reconnaissance to gain additional information on the movement of the rockslide.



Slide Update from Debbie Santiago        6-20-06 AM
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Saturday, large rocks and debris continued falling throughout the day, tossing many large boulders into the river. Please stay out of the area. A meeting with the County Board of Supervisors is being planned for Tuesday June 13th in the morning at 9 a.m.. Community meetings are also being scheduled early this week for Midpines and El Portal.


6-10-06          3:55 PM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
National Park Service and Forest Service geologists visited the site on the ground to further evaluate the situation today. Evaluation of slide continues by the US Army Corps of Engineers developing modeling scenarios around full stream blockage to determine potential impacts.
Coordination occurred today to initiate development of a long term response plan for a river blockage event. 
Begin development of the long-term response plan. USGS specialists are due to arrive Monday, June 11th, and will evaluate a debris dam breach scenario with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Forest Service geologists during the course of the week. 

6-09-06           6:20 PM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Forest closure around slide area restricts all public access within 1/4 mile of either side of the Merced River between the confluences of Ned's Gulch and the South Fork of the Merced River. Caltrans road closure extends beyond the Forest Closure order. Evaluation of the slide continues with US Army Corps of Engineers developing modeling scenarios around full stream blockage to determine potential impacts. Access to the site continues to be closed by Forest Order, as well as river rafting, for public safety.  

6-09-06       12:00 PM
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Rock fall is being reported throughout the day. We urge residents and the public to honor the closures and roadblocks as major safety issues and hazards have been identified. No mandatory evacuations are in place. Evacuation response planning efforts with Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department and all agencies are in progress. Electrical power to the National Park and El Portal is stable and PG&E has completed transfer of power lines and generators. Caltrans is currently working towards many options for access to highway.
State Highway is 140 closed for an extended period of time due to major safety concerns.

6-08-06
Slide Update from Debbie Santiago
Information Officer (661) 332-1754
Current Situation: The Ferguson Rockslide Incident is located on the Sierra National Forest in the Merced River Canyon. Observers are monitoring the slide mass 24 hours a day and communications are in place to report catastrophic movement. Currently all agencies involved are working together using their respective expertise to identify any and all hazards from the rockslide that completely blocked Highway 140 at Ferguson Ridge. The communities of Mariposa and El Portal are open for business as well as Yosemite National Park. Alternate routes of travel and many recreational opportunities remain available in the National Park.

Roads Closures and Special Orders: On June 5th, the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District, issued an emergency area closure along the Merced River. This order will remain in effect until the current rockslide hazard is declared secure. The closure begins along the Merced River known as the South Fork confluence to Ned’s Gulch. No rafting or recreating of any kind is allowed near or past this enormous slide that is unpredictable. Please do not attempt to enter this extremely hazardous area. Highway 140 to El Portal is closed with law enforcement personnel present.
An Incident Information office has been opened next door to the Mariposa Visitor Center. Our new numbers are 209-966-6174 and 966-6167. We are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For a map of the slide area:
Map

6-07-06
Mariposa County:
Election Results, Unofficial Final Report
With 100 % of precincts reporting:

PrecinctTurnout        2,570  22.69%
Absentee Turnout     2,891  25.92%
Total                        5,461  48.20%

Democrat For Governor  
PHIL ANGELIDES         764   42.42%
Steve Westly                  811   45.03%

Total... 5,214  100.00%

For More Mariposa Election results:
Mariposa County

6-06-06

Updated Slide info as of 9:05 PM

The slide now has a name: The Ferguson Rockslide named after the ridge above it.
The Forest Service has taken over monitoring of the site releasing Mariposa County Fire crews of this duty.

Before a plan to clean up the slide or build anything around it, the officials are waiting on what the mountain wants to do: either keep sliding slowly. stabilize or come down all at once. If it should come down fast, officials believe there would be time to alert and evacuate everyone upstream and downstream of the slide.

PG&E officials said the hookup of the first part of the new power line resulted in an outage of about 15 minutes or less and the second part should have been done earlier today.

The forest service has implemented a command team by the name of : South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team.
It is comprised of 12 agencies as a team unit with communication between them.



Updated slide info as of 11:30 AM:

The geologist CalTrans flew in offered no new  information is his verbal report but CalTrans is awaiting his written report.

PG&E is in the process of moving the power lines and should finish
up today.

The Governor of California declared a State Of Emergency yesterday but  did not request a Presidential Declaration until more cost figures come in on repairing the slide damage.

 Finally, the US Forest Service took command yesterday as the lead agency over the slide


Where to vote:
Here Is Where To Go Vote Today

Look for election results right here, starting tonight !

6-05-06
Another updated letter from Mr. Stetson.
PG&E Will have the new lines up today !
Lee Stetson Letter

6-04-06

Mr. Stetson is sending this letter out to the people in his district and it it posted on the Mariposa Sheriff Site.
Here is the link:
Lee Stetson Letter

6-02-06
7:30 PM Update:

Mariposa (CAO) Mike Coffield sent us an e-mail with the following information:
Additional info came in about PG&E  having additional generators brought into Indian Flat for use in points East.
El Portal,  Foresta, Yosemite West etc.. These generators could be of use if one of the power poles started to slide and power had to be cut off and also when they reroute the power.
 The road timeline is hoping to be cleared up by next week with CalTrans as more information is obtained and if nature will cooperate.


Updated information on the slide from 6-02-06 Board of Supervisors meeting:

The supervisor chambers was packed to overflowing as reps from different public agencies, government reps, business owners and  private citizens were in attendance.
We were told the slide has a total volume of 2.5 - 3 million yards of rock and soil.
County counsel said the governor of California is preparing the documents to declare a state of emergency and then for a presidential declaration for funding money. Counsel also gave a rundown on the financial impact this
 closure is having on the county.
A CalTrans rep. said they are looking for a temporary way to get to the other side of the river and then back over to the 140.
They are entertaining two scenarios, (1) If the whole slide comes down across the river (2) that the slide just keeps shifting down the hill. She mentioned a type of portable bridge but said the canyon was too steep for that type, but their is another type that may be possible.
As of right now they are flying a noted geologist in from Canada to help assist with the situation and that person will be on location later today.
Currently CalTrans is not doing any night monitoring of the slide but the county is keeping fire crews out there at night in case of an emergency situation.
The hill is currently moving nine inches a day displacing 18,000 - 25,000  cubic yards a day.

A spokesman from Mariposa County said blasting the hill away would require a tremendous amount of dynamite and then a fleet of trucks to haul it away.

Jim Allen, Sheriff of Mariposa County said there is a plan in place to warn upstream and downstream residents in case of an emergency situation. It consists of reverse 911 and deputies going house to house to warn people.
  Stand by generators would be a good idea for private residences to have just in case the slide crosses the river. Or the PG&E tower comes down.

PG&E is ready to install a permanent line across the water and then back over to the  main line bypassing a pole or two that could fall over as the slide keeps moving. They are ready to dig holes in the morning and then early next week shut power off for residents east of the slide for 8-12 hours, maybe less, as they rewire the line.

After this public meeting their was a private meeting at 1:30 and we are awaiting news from our supervisors as an e-mail was sent to each one of them to give us a possible update on any changes or additions that took place in that meeting .

We will  update as we hear of any changes.




With the count in from the Mariposa DSA  revote on the contract proposal of May, 31, 2006, the majority were in favor of accepting
the contract put forward by the county. It is a two year contract
with a compromise on the 3 1/2% grievance currently submitted for arbitration.


6-01-06

California taxpayers filed 14.5 million tax returns in 2004.
The median income was 33,223 up three percent over 2003.
For joint filed returns Mariposa County led the state with a 6.2 percent increase.
"Median income" is the point where one-half of the tax returns are above and one-half are below the midpoint of the range of values. Median income represents the income reported by a typical California individual or couple.
Median figures released by State Franchise Tax Board:
                          Population    Total            AGI        Median  Rank
                                                Returns      ( In K)      Income
Mariposa  2004   17,971     6,539        267,801    28,781      38
Mariposa  2003   17,750     6,481        247,150    27,984      38
         Increase:         221          58           20,651        797

5-31-06

A special Board of Supervisors Meeting has been scheduled for Friday, June 2, 2006 to discuss:

10:00 a.m. Meeting Called to Order at the Mariposa County Government Center

5-30-06 
There will be a meeting this evening at 6:00 P.M. in the El Portal Community Hall to discuss issues facing El Portal residents due to the closure of Hwy. 140. Representatives from the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, Cal Trans,  Fire Dept., County Board of Supervisors, National Park Service, and others will be there to discuss the status of the road, emergency medical services, community issues, etc. Everyone is encouraged to attend.


On Friday May 26, 2006 the Mariposa County Deputy Sheriffs' Association announced on their website that the membership is rescinding the vote on the last contract proposal. The president of the organization said the reason for this action is that possibly the last vote might not have been representative of the entire membership.
New ballots have been mailed out and will be counted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006.
Thomas Guarino, Mariposa County's Chief Negotiator said he will present the vote count to the Board before the board imposes any action upon the contract between the county and  the association


We attended the May 23, 2006 Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Read what took place and our view on the meeting here;
Mariposa Board of Supervisors Meeting     
 

6-12-06
Information obtained from ' Yosemite National Park News '

 IMPORTANT SCHOOL COMMUNTIY MEETING to discuss next year's bussing and schooling options for El Portal and Yosemite students entering grades 7-12 will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 12, at the El Portal Community Hall. Phyllis Weber, principal of Yosemite Park High, will facilitate the meeting.  YPHS teachers Paul Amstutz and Gail Dreifus will be present to answer questions. School District Surveys will be available at the meeting, and are also posted in the El Portal Post Office, or you can request one from Phyllis pweber@mariposa.k12.ca.us or by phone 379-2382.  Information from these surveys will be given to the school district and the principals of MMS and MCHS.

The Chowchilla Mountain Road has opened for the season.  It is recommended that two wheel drive vehicles with low clearance not use this road, due to severe erosion and tire ruts just outside the park boundary.  The county has not mitigated the problem and there have been several vehicles becoming stuck in the ruts.  Also, off road vehicles (non street legal motorcycles & ATV's) are not permitted on the road within the park boundary. 


6-10-06
 Yosemite National Park wants to remind people that Highway 140 is open from Yosemite to El Portal. That all accommodations and businesses in El Portal and Mariposa are open and waiting to serve you.
The summer season is well under way with the roaring waterfalls and the vibrant foliage that makes Yosemite so popular.
Two other highway routes are open to gain access to the park.
Highway 120 and Highway 41 are both open 24 hours a day.


 

6-09-06

Coming up in the park:

2006 Yosemite Forum - A Riotous Spot Much of the Time: A Historical Archeology of Crane Flat, Yosemite National Park

Kevin Bartoy and John Holsom, Pacific Legacy Incorporated

Tuesday, June 13, 2006  Auditorium, Yosemite Valley 12 to 1 p.m.

Kevin and John conducted a study in 2004 funded by the Yosemite Institute in support of the Environmental Education campus.  The study included a historical examination of early-European settlements and activities at Crane Flat, including the Blister Rust and CCC Camp, the Billy Hurst Saloon, and the Gobins Hotel. (K. Hughes - 6/9/06)

6-06-06
Tioga Road is open today, but not to the public yet !

6-02-06

The bears are active. They have visited the insides of several tents in Curry Village. The park service reminds you to remove all food and scented items from your tent.
You can also see bears in the meadows at the Western part of the valley. Caution around bears, they are wild not tame !!

6-01-06
 Info provided by the National Park Service:
The road crew is now up to the West end of Tuolumne Meadows.  Snow depth is approximately 4 feet.  Mono County is scheduled to start plowing into the park June 1st.  Olmsted avalanche zone is still a very active and dangerous avalanche threat

5-30-06
The Glacier Point Rd is open.
Half Dome Cables are up and the Four Mile Trail is open.
Tioga Rd: Stuck up at Olmsted Point due to high avalanche danger !
They will try tomorrow if there is a good freeze tonight.

Yosemite National Park will have an Open House on Wednesday May 31, 2006,
The public can hear about the latest park news on ongoing projects, talk to park staff and watch presentations, review new
documents and reports and provide their feedback on projects.
Where and Time:
1:00pm to 5:00pm in the Visitor Center Auditorium
How much:
Entrance fee waived.
For more info