Devils Postpile birds get attention
Devils Postpile National Monument is one of the most biologically rich and diverse areas in California, due to the massive storms that move over the crest and the unique soil of the valley floor. Thus it is home to more than 100 bird species, according to monument supervisor Deanna Dulen. The true numbers and species of birds have never been accurately counted, due to budget restrictions. All that is about to change. A new program  that will allow park officials to team with local school students to study the birds of the monument goes into effect this year. Dulen said the program could be an ongoing project with the schools in the area. – WG

No conflict for Barrett
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has found that Planning Commissioner Tony Barrett  does not have a conflict of interest in voting on the Mammoth Crossing Development because he no longer leases property within 500 feet of a business he no longer operates, according to a letter Barrett received on June 24. The Advocates of Mammoth had challenged Barrett on this matter. He, in turn, sought the advice of the FPPC. – CB
Average resort occupancy
Last week’s projected resort occupancy for Friday night 6/26/09 - Saturday night 6/27/09 was 47 percent.
This week’s occupancy for Friday and Saturday nights of the 4th of July weekend is projected to be 63 percent.

Lakes Basin trolley begins
The Lakes Basin Trolley began service on July 1, and will operate until Sept. 7, 2009. Designated as the orange line in the 2009 Summer Transit Map, service begins from The Village (stop 4C) to Horseshoe Lake via Twin Lakes, Lake Mary and Lake Mamie every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Transport your bike on the bike trailer, and all dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Go to: www.visitmammoth.com/transit for the complete schedule.

June Lake Triathlon returns
The 3rd annual June Lake Triathlon will be held on July 11. The race starts at 8 a.m. (Olympic) and 8:30 a.m. (Sprint). Also, the Triathlon Expo will be Friday, July 10, from 12 - 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 11, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.   Purchase a raffle ticket before or at the event to win many great prizes including a 5 day trip to a Mexico resort, gift certificates to the Double Eagle Spas in June Lake and Mammoth, and much more!
For information and to register for the race, visit www.HighSierraTri.org and go to the June Lake Triathlon page.

Interpretive hikes and patio talks have begun
     The Mammoth Ranger Station and Welcome Center offers interpretive hikes and patio talks. Interpretive hikes are offered at Hot Creek Geologic Site, Inyo Craters, Earthquake Fault, Mammoth Consolidated Mine and Horseshoe Lake CO2 area. For information call (760) 924-5500,

Interim budget approved
The Town Council adopted an interim budget for FY 2009-10 pending review of options to reduce expenditures by $624,000 on July 15th. Several other steps were also directed including: Detailed reviews of 1)Property tax projections; 2) Police staffing levels; 3) Sidewalk snow removal; 4) Animal control officer staffing; and 5) Policy for use of reserves.  In addition, the Council directed the Town Manager to bring back options for restructuring Town Government over the next six months.

Lake Mary bike path
The Lake Mary Bike Path Project is a $13 million project and will construct a Class 1 Multiuse Bike path along Lake Mary Road from Minaret Road to Horseshoe Lake. Funding includes about $10 million in state and federal grants. Construction is continuing on the section of path from Minaret Road to Twin Lakes and it is expected to be in service in October 2009. Staff is continuing to pursue the $3 million shortfall in funding for the path from Lower Twin Lake to Horseshoe Lake, including supplemental STIP funding, Stimulus funding, and other grant opportunities.

Main Street/South Frontage Road improvement project
This $1.9 million project is partially STIP funded and will reconstruct the South Frontage Road from Manzanita to Callahan Way, including asphalt, drainage, curb and gutter, and sidewalk. It is expected that the asphalt reconstruction and overlay will be completed before July 4, 2009 and the remainder of the project completed in early August. 
 
Sherwin Street connector
This project will construct a 10-foot-wide Class 1 Multiuse Bike Path from the end of Sherwin Street to the Aspen Creek portion of the “Main Path.” Funding for this project is a Federal Environmental Enhancement Mitigation grant for $260,000. Project design plans, specifications, and construction estimate will be completed this summer with construction in the summer 2010.

Safe Routes to School grant
This $1 million project will construct 8 to 12 foot wide sidewalks on Sierra Park Road from the Hospital to Main Street including drainage and 6 to 8 foot wide sidewalks from Sierra Park Road to Old Mammoth Road on Sierra Nevada Road. This project is funded with a state grant and in cooperation with funding from the Administrative Office of the Courts for the new court house that will begin construction next year.

Lakeview (“Voodoo Chute”) grant
The Lakeview project will reconstruct the road with an ice melt system that is planned to be heated with a heat pump system. The design will be finalized this fall and construction is scheduled for summer of 2010. This project is primarily funded from a Highway Safety Improvement Grant. Once completed, this section of road would not require closure due to ice and snow and the accident rate due to weather should be significantly reduced. The estimated cost of the project is $790,000.

Southerly Mammoth
Yosemite Airport road
This project will extend Airport Road to Benton Crossing Road. The project is currently in the preliminary engineering and environmental phase. The estimated project cost of $2.9 million is funded though a STIP grant.

Meridian Boulevard
reconstruction project
This project will reconstruct Meridian Boulevard from Sierra Park Road to Majestic Pines Drive. The project includes drainage improvements, sidewalks on both sides of the street, bike lanes, curb and gutter, a roundabout at Meridian and Minaret, and a traffic signal at Sierra Park Road near the school and library. Due to a construction funding shortfall the project has been delayed to 2010 or 2011 while additional funding is secured. Currently, the Town has a $3.7 million STIP grant for the project. If no additionally funding is secured the project scope will be reduced.  
 
North Main Frontage Road rehabilitation
This project is being funded through its design stage with a STIP grant. The project will reconstruct the road, extend the sidewalk from Forest Trail to the U.S. Post Office, and install curb and gutter and drainage improvements. Construction will not begin until funds for the project are secured. 
 
Main Street signals project
This project is currently in the initial design phase. This project plans to construct traffic signals at the U.S. Post Office and Sierra Boulevard intersections. Construction is scheduled for 2010 or 2011, pending permit approval by Caltrans. Funding for this project is from a $1 million STIP grant.  

Other grants pending
Other grant submittals from the past fiscal year that are pending notification include:  BTA grant for the Library College Connector Path; Safe Routes 2 School grant for a sidewalk on Tavern Road from Sierra Park road to Laurel Mountain; Alternative Transportation In Parks and Public Lands (ATTPL) grant to complete the Lake Mary Bike Path Project; Caltrans Community Based Transportation Planning Grant for the commercial corridor.
Staff is currently working on a Federal TIGER Discretionary Grant that will be for the “North Village Economic Recovery and Sustainability Project” that would construct the Minaret Road and Forest Trail roundabout, construct the North Village Parking Garage and a pedestrian bridge over Canyon Boulevard to the existing North Village Transit Hub and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area gondola. This grant is due to Caltrans on July 27, 2009.