Running Yosemite National Park is a job for someone with great diplomatic skills, and the commitment to take decisive action once the proper course is determined. It's certainly not a "starter job," but new superintendent, Don Neubacher, has been around enough to handle it.</p><p>We'll see if Yosemite's new superintendent has the skills to operate a park that has passionate advocates who often clash over the direction the park is taking.</p><p>Neubacher comes to Yosemite with a strong r&#233;sum&#233;, and an enthusiastic endorsement from his boss.</p><p>It's not a starter job, said Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. Yosemite is in a select group with the Everglades, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon where top managers need a high degree of sophistication and experience. Don Neubacher is one of those managers.</p><p>Neubacher, 57, will succeed Michael Tollefson, who was praised for his management of Yosemite during a very difficult time. Tollefson left a year ago to run the Yosemite Fund in San Francisco.</p><p>Yosemite is still recovering from the 1997 flooding, and faces lawsuits over how best to restore the park. There's also the continuing conflict over how much usage of the beloved park is too much.</p><p>Clearly, Yosemite must remain accessible so the greatest possible number of visitors can share its wonders. But it also must be protected from the "human footprint" of millions of campers, climbers and back-country hikers.</p><p>Neubacher must guide the park through this important balancing act.</p><p>As superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore for 15 years, Neubacher was severely tested on the issue. He helped implement the controversial move to bring the historic Presidio military base into the Golden Gate Recreation Area.</p><p>Yosemite has a much higher profile than Point Reyes, but we believe that the challenges in Neubacher's previous job will help prepare him for running the crown jewel of the nation's park system.