Atch01_SOW_Wawona_Tunnel_Distribution_Line_Repairs.pdf

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Emergency Repair of Yosemite 2.4KV Overhead Distribution Line Yosemite National Park

Utilities

1. OBJECTIVE:

Repair and restore commercial distribution power to Wawona Tunnel in Yosemite National Park.

This line was damaged from falling trees during a heavy precipitous winter storm in March 2026.

2. BACKGROUND:

Yosemite National Park owns 5.1 miles of 70kV transmission line that starts at parkline boundary on Hwy 140 and travels up the hillside to the powerhouse substation. From the power house, the transmission line is stepped down to distribution and 2.4kv overhead line runs from the Yosemite Substation to Wawona Tunnel, approximately 1.5 miles. This overhead distribution line supplies power to the Wawona tunnel ventilation and monitoring system, tunnel lighting, and all communications equipment located at turtle back dome.

A tree has come down and broken Phases 2 and 3 about halfway between the poles/span. NPS has cleared the fallen trees from the overhead lines.

3.0 SCOPE:

The Contractor shall provide all labor, tools, equipment, transportation, safety oversight, and expertise necessary to complete the following tasks on the 2.4 kV, Solid #2 copper, three-phase overhead distribution line:

3.1 Required Contractor Tasks

1. De-tensioning and Dropping Conductors o Safely drop Phases 2 and 3 from either Pole 2 or Pole 3 (between poles 2 and 3).

o Verify stability of remaining phase and pole structures during work.

2. Repair / Splicing of Conductors o Inspect damaged conductor sections to determine appropriate splice length and method.

o Perform mechanical and electrical splices using accepted industry standards for

#2 solid copper.

o Repair must restore full mechanical strength and electrical continuity.

Yosemite National Park Utilities Branch

P.O. Box 700-W El Portal, CA 95318 209-379-1055

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

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3. Rehanging and Re-tensioning o Rehang repaired/spliced conductors on poles.

o Restore proper conductor spacing, tension, and sag consistent with industry practice and existing line characteristics.

o Use proper insulator hardware provided by NPS.

4. Pole Climbing / Access Requirements o Work will require climbing or accessing steel structures and poles approximately

45–50 ft in height.

o Contractor shall provide all fall protection, rigging, and climbing equipment necessary.

5. Site Access o The Contractor shall determine and prepare the safest access route.

The long route follows the existing right-of-way from the tunnel generator area.

A shorter route exists via a turnout off the roadway but requires hiking on steep and unstable terrain.

o Contractor is responsible for transporting personnel, tools, and equipment to the work area by foot or vehicle as terrain allows.

6. Worksite Control & Protection o Maintain safe working distances.

o Protect adjacent natural resources from damage (vegetation, soil, cultural resources).

o Remove all contractor-generated debris.

4.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED SERVICES:

4.1 Government-Furnished Materials (GFM)

NPS will provide the following:

• Solid #2 copper conductor

• Polymer insulators

• Any other required replacement hardware associated with the damaged conductor span

4.2 Government-Furnished Services (GFS)

NPS will:

• Ensure the line is fully de-energized prior to work and coordinate with the Contractor on a grounding plan.

• Provide on-site personnel to answer operational questions.

• Assist with access coordination as needed.

5.0 CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS:

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5.1 Safety Plan

The Contractor shall prepare and implement a site-specific Safety Plan tailored to the work described in this SOW. At a minimum, the Safety Plan shall include:

• Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Identification of all electrical, fall-protection, terrain, weather, and equipment-related hazards associated with repairing a 2.4 kV overhead distribution line in steep terrain.

• Electrical Safety Procedures: Lockout/tagout coordination with NPS de-energization staff; grounding plan; approach distances; conductor-handling procedures; and requirements for qualified electrical workers.

• Fall Protection Program: Methods, anchorage, equipment, and rescue procedures for accessing and working on 45–50 ft poles and steel structures.

• Emergency Response Plan: Procedures for medical emergencies, slips/falls, wildlife encounters, and evacuation, including remote-area access considerations.

• Communication Protocols: Means of communication between crew members and NPS personnel, especially due to potential limited radio/cell coverage in the work zone.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Requirements consistent with OSHA, utility-grade PPE standards, and all climbing/electrical protection equipment.

• Daily Tailboard/Briefing: Requirement to conduct pre-work safety briefings addressing daily hazards, weather, access routes, and operational changes.

The Contractor shall submit the Safety Plan to the NPS point of contact prior to beginning on-site work. Work may not begin until NPS acknowledges receipt.

5.2 Labor, Qualifications, and Certifications

• All workers performing electrical line repair must be qualified electrical workers or apprentices under direct supervision of a qualified worker.

• Contractor shall provide all tools, gear, and equipment necessary to safely execute work.

5.3 Equipment Requirements

• Contractor shall provide climbing gear, fall protection, rigging, tensioning tools, and any specialized line equipment necessary to splice and rehang #2 solid copper conductors.

• Vehicles and transport equipment must be suitable for steep, rocky, and uneven mountain access routes.

5.4 Environmental Protection

• Contractor shall avoid damaging nearby soil, vegetation, or cultural resources.

• Any inadvertent discovery of cultural or archaeological materials shall be immediately reported to NPS.

5.5 Schedule and Coordination

• Work must be completed within five (5) days of issuance of notice to proceed.

• Contractor shall coordinate start times, access, and safety protocols daily with NPS personnel.

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6.0 DELIVERABLES:

The Contractor shall provide the following upon completion:

1. Completion Report including:

o Description of repair performed o Confirmation of conductor integrity and tensioning o Notes on any observed deficiencies on adjacent structures

2. Photo Documentation of repairs before, during, and after work.

3. On-site Final Walkthrough with NPS personnel to verify completion of work.

The NPS points of contact listed in the original SOW (Katie Bablitch – Supervisory FOS; Xavier Casasnovas – High Voltage Supervisor; Mike Trumm – Chief of Maintenance) will be available to coordinate technical matters.

7.0 LOCACTION INFORMATION:

Reference map links showing:

• Location of tree fall and conductor break

• Pole 2 (nearest H-frame leading to powerhouse)

• Pole 3 (southern point of the damaged span)

These links are provided for situational awareness and planning.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/88TK7uvpa3mCHySo6?g_st=ipc Location of tree fall and break in lines.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5XkvywViFHyLfASC7?g_st=ipc Pole 2 closest to H frame leading down to powerhouse.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vBukczceuaoXpxka9?g_st=ipc Pole 3.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2F88TK7uvpa3mCHySo6%3Fg_st%3Dipc&data=05%7C02%7CKatie_Bablitch%40nps.gov%7C9ef205d674134d5009d208de89ea7833%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C639099837469877062%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vye42ZqbPb9oPC3EXJbNeGvUMRAJZF%2FqltN83VakvrA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2F5XkvywViFHyLfASC7%3Fg_st%3Dipc&data=05%7C02%7CKatie_Bablitch%40nps.gov%7C9ef205d674134d5009d208de89ea7833%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C639099837469904390%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZpOnybmCOrvCg2YJuKRRv8UwrAUIHeFo55w7TLHZsJU%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2FvBukczceuaoXpxka9%3Fg_st%3Dipc&data=05%7C02%7CKatie_Bablitch%40nps.gov%7C9ef205d674134d5009d208de89ea7833%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C639099837469922914%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2062vUXYeWtSM%2BCZZ38nZZhvhdddLUt%2F1m%2BlblTI4Ho%3D&reserved=0

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.