NSS Cave Management
Division
Cave and Karst Acquisition
Committee
Conservancies Committee
Contemporary Cave Use Study
Committee
NSS Cave Preserves Committee
NSS Conservation Division
Conservation Committee
Volunteer Value Online Database
Discovering Caves Brochure Series
Conservation Division Website
GIS/ESRI Liaison to NSS Conservation
NSS
Liaison for The Nature Conservancy to NSS Conservation
Conservation Task Forces
Resource Preservation Committee
Mammoth Cave Restoration
Committee
Bat Conservation Liaison
Geo-caching AD HOC Committee
Conservation Grants Committee
NSS
Liaison for International Speleothem Protection
NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence
Reward Commission
NSS Education Division
Education Grants and
Scholarship Committee
Environmental Education
Committee
Safety and Techniques Committee
Video Production Committee
Youth Groups Liaison Committee
AGI Environmental
Science Textbook Ad-hoc Committee
Associated Projects
and Societies
National Cave Rescue
Commission
NSS Convention Division
Convention Development
Committee
2003 NSS Convention
2004 NSS Convention
Salons Committee
Congress of Grottos
Attachment C-1 – NSS Cave
Preserve Detailed Reports
Addendum 1 – JSS Report
I leave you with some of my concerns and hope for the future because I love the NSS and want it to succeed. The past Board was both cautious and responsible, but I urge the new 2004 Board to spend more time on figuring out how we can plan for the future and develop a vision for the success of the NSS over the next 5, 10, and 20 years.
To the membership at large, I urge more active participation, such as running for important, influential offices and voting on Board members based on qualifications rather than merely on name recognition. There is an enormous wellspring of people available, and we need to be encouraging, not discouraging, these members to get involved.
I want to thank and congratulate the membership of the NSS. No other organization I know of has the both donations and volunteers from every level working together to make our organization a unique success. But in some ways, this is not quite enough. We also need more efforts from members to:
I have pretty much held my tongue for the past two years, but now want to say a final word to those few who feel it is their duty to "go negative" when the NSS does (or fails to do) something they think is important. I believe some actually have a grudge against the organization and are beyond rational help. But for the rest, please understand that rhetoric tearing down the Society injures it beyond measure. The impression left with the general membership is "Why should I pay dues to, and participate in, an organization with that much dissension?" It’s a good question. If attitudes like this are allowed to continue and grow, the organization could be undermined from the inside out.
This is an exciting time for the Society. I am encouraged that the leadership in place for the next several years is well qualified. My excitement goes all the way down to the highly motivated committees, which are taking on commitments and promoting the NSS and its ideals on a National, regional, and local level.
I look for great things in the NSS future and, although I have resigned my position effective at the 2004 Convention, it is with some sadness I will be watching from the sidelines. It has been an honor to be the Administrative Vice-president, and I wish you all well.
2004 Convention Report
Philip Moss, Chairman
Members: Lee Florea, David Taylor, Pat Kambesis, Kim Metzgar, and
Mark Lancaster.
Progress:
Debating the merits of the grant request by the
Northeast Cave Conservancy for the purchase of Clarksville Cave
in New York State. Represented the Cave and Karst Acquisition
Committee at the Cave Conservancies Forum. A motion may be placed
on the agenda requesting that $5,000 be granted to NCC. A report
specific to the grant request will follow. Joe Levinson of NCC is
now on the Board and will be able to answer questions directly.
Plans:
To address grant requests as they come in.
Problems:
The delay in discussing the Clarksville request is
entirely my fault. I should have had a report on the request
prepared by now.
Many conservancy members at the Cave Conservancies Forum expressed dissatisfaction with both the "right of first refusal" language that was in Appendix L and with the substitute language. We have our work cut out for us to reassure conservancies that we wish to support them.
John M. Wilson, Chairman
Home email: john@wilsonj.org
Plans:
The Seventh Annual Cave Conservancy Round-table will be
held at the 2004 NSS Convention in Marquette, Michigan, on
Wednesday, July 14, 2004.
The NSS CCC meeting will also be held on the same day at 12 noon at the NSS Convention.
The role of the committee has expanded somewhat in the last year. The details are explained on the committee website or directly at the following web page: www.caves.org/committee/ccc/memosept2003.htm
Progress:
The NSS Cave Conservancies Committee met at the 2004
National Cave Conservancies Forum, April 16, 2004, in Lewisburg,
West Virginia.
Each attending conservancy representative was given an opportunity to discuss issues and vote on behalf of his conservancy. The group made the following recommendations:
Rane Curl was selected as the committee Vice Chairman. A Secretary is being sought for the NSS Conservancies Committee. Each Conservancy is encouraged to place a link on their Website to the NSS Cave Conservancies web site. This may also be an alternative to maintaining links to each conservancy.
A report of the Forum is available at www.acave.us under past events
An agenda of the committee meeting will be available at the committee website www.caves.org/committee/ccc
Problems:
No known problems at this time.
Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R)(FE), Chairman.
Nothing new to report at this time.
Gary Bush, Chairman
E-mail: gary@wgbush.com
I. GENERAL:
Reports were received from 10 of the 13 NSS Nature Preserves this period. The Preserve Managers' reports I've received are attached for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each preserve report in Section II of this report. Details can be obtained from the original reports. Overall, the properties continue to be in good condition.
Progress:
Maintenance and cleanup projects have been conducted at
Mill Creek Sinks, Warrens, Tytoona, and Wells Cave Preserves.
Similar projects are planned for this Summer at most of the other
Preserves. New road gates were installed at Kingston Saltpeter
Cave Preserve by our good neighbor Anheuser-Busch. Studies and
educational visits have occurred or are planned soon at Shelta,
John Guilday, Kingston Saltpeter, and Great X Preserves. Many of
the Preserves with older management plans are currently working
on updates. A new Management Plan for the John Guilday Preserve
has been submitted for approval at this meeting. Bat counts at
Shelta Cave are up since replacement of the entrance gate. Many
of the Preserves are proceeding with changes necessitated by the
Board-mandated name changes.
Plans:
A meeting with the adjacent landowner to McFails Cave is
still planned to discuss Wickes Hole. The management plans for
all the older Preserves are planned for submission later this
year.
Problems:
No serious problems with the properties have been
reported. Most of the Preserve Managers reacted very strongly to
the Board decision to change the Preserve names. The furor has
generally subsided at this point, but several still are bristling
at what they perceive as a lack of tact by the Board to take such
action without asking for their input. I have discussed with each
Manager to explain the issue and the need for the initial action
to be taken swiftly. At least one additional name change will be
requested at this Board meeting, based on discussions of one
Preserve Manager with two of the Directors.
II. PROPERTY STATUS:
* McFails Cave Nature Preserve (NY): After being closed for the winter, the cave opened on May 22nd. The meeting with the owner of the adjacent property still hasn't happened. The Halls Hole gate still needs to be repaired. Looking for someone capable of doing the work. The 15-year-old Management Plan is being revised to reflect changes. Signs will be updated with the new name, as they are replaced. No problems reported.
* Shelta Cave Nature Preserve (Ala): Bat counts were resumed in March and found an increase in the number of bats exiting the cave. The replacement of the old bar gates with the perimeter fence is apparently working to the bat's advantage. Counts will be suspended for the summer, to resume weekly in August until October. No problems reported.
* John Guilday Cave and Nature Preserve (WVa): Digging continues to find the “lost” saltpeter workings. Geology trips by the USGS have occurred in Hamilton and Trout Caves. An updated Management Plan has been submitted for approval (motion pending). The annual “Conservacation” is scheduled for November. No problems reported.
* Kingston Saltpeter Cave Nature Preserve (Ga): Visits to the property have been reduced this spring, due to turkey hunts on the adjoining property, owned by Anheuser-Busch. A subsequent visit found all new cable gates on access roads, thanks to A-B. By now, a planned visit to the cave by a Civil War researcher should've occurred. In late June the annual Weinman Museum teachers' trip will be held. Manager Larry Blair also reacted unusually negatively to the name change issue in his report. No other problems reported.
* Barton Hill Nature Preserve (NY): Visits resumed to the cave since winter. Thom Engel scouted the entire property ... the first time in several years ... and found no adverse damage issues. The entrance ladder still needs replacing and is planned for this year. ATV's are still a minor problem. Fencing at entry points is planned to reduce access. A visitor injured his ankle when he fell while chimneying up near the entrance ladder. He exited under his own power, avoiding a rescue.
* Warrens Cave Nature Preserve (Fla): No further evidence of pine bark beetles has been found on the property, thanks to ending of the local drought. The edges of the property had been cleared of dead trees during a county-led clean-up last year. A dead tree did recently fall over the cave entrance, but was quickly removed by a team from FSS, the local grotto. Ownership of the adjoining frontal property recently changed. The new owner is another police officer, as was the previous owner. The access road to the Preserve is routed over his land, with his permission, allowing him to monitor access ... a good situation for us. Bill Oldacre is working on an update to the Management Plan and, with its completion, is looking forward to another good 30 years with the property. The name change is being handled. No problems reported.
* Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve (Okla): (No Report received this period)
* Schoharie Caverns Nature Preserve (NY): (No Report received this period)
* Mill Creek Sink Nature Preserve (Fla): The system has been diveable all Spring, but recent rains have reduced visibility in the entrance sink. Clean-up of the property and clearing of nature trails occurred in April. Additional work to add benches and plant information signs along the trails is planned for this winter (when it's cooler). No problems reported.
* Tytoona Cave Nature Preserve (Penn): Normal visitation, including one survey dive trip, is underway this spring. Clean-ups and maintenance trips have also occurred. A parking lot barrier, knocked over during the Winter, has been righted. Plans have been made for step repair, erosion control, and signage replacement for the name change. No major problems were reported. However, Manager Garrett Czmor is concerned about the deteriorating roadway guardrail along the edge of the property next to the entrance sink. He plans to take the issue up with the township supervisor.
* Wells Cave Nature Preserve (Ky): Normal maintenance activity is underway. Visitation has been low, but is expected to rise with Karst-O-Rama, held nearby later in June. Name change activity is going forward by attrition. Still awaiting boundary markers. No problems reported.
* Great X Cave Nature Preserve (Wyo): The boundary adjustment was finalized, to assure clearance of the entrance from the adjoining property. As the weather improves this summer, the corner pins will be set and fencing adjusted to reflect the proper boundaries. Inventories and surface studies are planned. No problems reported.
* Potter Unit Nature Preserve (Okla): (No Report received this period)
Respectfully Submitted, June 13, 2004,
W. Gary Bush
Chairman, NSS Nature Preserves Committee
Conservation Division
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Division Chiefs
Vision for the NSS Conservation Division: Heighten awareness of the importance of cave and karst conservation. Develop strategies to serve a greater diversity of audiences throughout the U.S.
Mission:
· Develop programs to strengthen public knowledge about the benefits of cave and karst protection. Promote common knowledge about karst systems and their connections with ground water quality. Advance general understanding and appreciation of cave ecosystems.
· Partner with other cave and conservation organizations/agencies/associations/institutes that provide cave and karst outreach programs to landowners, land managing agencies, show cave interpreters, educators, and the public. Develop cooperative programs and distribute information to promote awareness and conservation of karst terrains and cave environments.
· Strengthen and extend common knowledge among cavers on cave/karst protection, preservation, and ethics.
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Co-Chairmen werks@zianet.com
Jim and Val serve on various national and international committees. Maintain contact with federal agencies. Coordinate communications among members of the Conservation Committee. Define conservation goals. Initiate programs. Network people and expertise. Delegate conservation responsibilities. See that conservation questions directed to the NSS do receive answers. Serve as conservation editors for the NSS News. Represent the NSS in answering the frequent media inquiries from radio and print journalists. We also conduct workshops on cave/karst conservation and restoration/repair throughout the country. An NSS book titled Cave Conservation & Restoration, edited by Val and Jim, will go to press in 2004.
NSS News—The 2004 Conservation Issue (April issue this year) represented a variety of activities around the U.S. and highlighted the use of GIS in cave conservation. Thanks goes to Bern Szukalski of ESRI for partnering with us on this year’s issue and to all who submitted material.
Book—The manuscript of Cave Conservation and Restoration has been submitted for layout and the book is slated for press during 2004. See NSS Special Publications Committee Report from David McClurg.
Convention—Restoration Forum and Conservation/Management papers are scheduled on Monday at the Michigan Convention.
Seminars & Workshops—Conducted restoration workshops in the Southwest. Planning seminars in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Florida, and Michigan.
Interaction with Oregon Caves National Monument—After traveling to Oregon Caves National Monument in May, 2003, again in August, 2003, Jim and Val continue to stay in touch with ORCA and cavers in the region. Several caver projects have been initiated and planning for others is progressing.
Publication of Bat Gate Design Manual—The definitive gating manual for designing and constructing bat friendly closure options is at press. Based on a special Bat Gate Design Technical Interactive Forum held in 2002 in Austin, Texas, the book details state-of-the-art techniques for protecting caves and underground mines. Many of the authors are NSS members. The new bat gate book will be available through the NSS Bookstore. Older gating manuals should be used for historical reference only.
Bern Szukalski, Co-Coordinator
bszukalski@esri.com
Jennifer Foote, Co-Coordinator
bigredfoote@yahoo.com
Jennifer.Foote@Merrick.com
Through volunteer efforts, cavers give significant monetary value to the protection, exploration, scientific investigation, conservation, and preservation of cave and karst resources. The volunteer value database will create a single location to collect and document volunteer value in cave and karst projects throughout the NSS. Volunteer value statistics can be used by public and private landowners to assist in management of resources and by cavers for grant application processes, cave management proposals, and karst protection battles. Volunteer Value field forms and information are available on the NSS Conservation Division website.
Plans:
Phase 1 - Determine the needs and requirements.
Phase 2 - Implement online Volunteer Value Input
Form on NSS Website
Phase 3 - Publish statistical reports on website
Phase 4 - Possible interactive online
mapping/GIS component to retrieve data
Progress:
We are currently working on Phase 1. We have contacted some
volunteer value users to research and determine data fields and
requirements for implementation. We are starting on a
mock-up database. Still need to contact NSS IT to determine
software and compatibility issues. Hope to be online for
data entry by the end of summer?
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator
Mike Dale, Graphic Design
Plans:
- Explore possibility of producing a new title in the
Discovering Caves series, pending funding in FY04-05.
- Work with the NSS Grants Committee to obtain outside funding to produce NSS brochures, when the Committee is able to proceed.
Progress:
- Bats and Fragile Underground brochures have been
reprinted, with a few amendments.
Problems:
-Grant application progress by Grant Committee stalled
until FY02-03 Financial Report is complete and audited.
Elizabeth Rousseau Bunnell, Coordinator
inspiratrice@hotmail.com
Elizabeth has graciously accepted the position of Conservation Website Coordinator again. Please send any updates or notices to her.
Bern Szukalski
bszukalski@esri.com
Recent Highlights:
Several GIS software grants for ESRI software have been submitted, and are in the process of being fulfilled.
Cave & Karst GIS Special Interest Group meeting is slated for Tuesday, August 10, at the ESRI International User Conference.
Will meet with visiting geologist for Mojave National Preserve tomorrow to begin work on cave inventory database.
Heather Garland
hgarland@tnc.org
TNC-Virginia Chapter:
A Biotics Inventory proposal, focused on cave-obligate species, to the National Science Foundation submitted by TNC-Virginia in 2003 has been resubmitted this year. Although the proposal was denied in last year’s funding round, the NSF committee offered valuable comments and suggestions to refine the proposal and encouraged resubmittal.
Led by TNC-Virginia and the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, this project has required the participation of many people. Dr. Dave Culver and Dr. John Holsinger, two of the nation’s top cave scientists, have written this proposal with input from other cave scientists and Natural Heritage biologists from a number of states within the project’s scope which includes the Central Appalachians and the Cumberland Mountains. The goal of the project is to sort and describe 70 new species from a backlog of collections, train biologists with state Natural Heritage Programs in identification of cave invertebrate species, and update the Heritage databases with new information on all obligate subterranean species maintained by the Karst Waters Institute.
TNC-West Virginia Chapter:
A grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Landowner Incentive Program, administered by the WV Division of Natural Resources, has allowed TNC’s West Virginia Chapter to hire Beth Wheatley to work on an important karst research project. The first phase of this project will involve the collection of information necessary to determine and prioritize cave conservation and protection needs in the state by communicating and building partnerships with local landowners, caving groups, and conservancies. Once needs are identified, the project will move into an implementation phase.
TNC-Tennessee Chapter:
In Tennessee, TNC has been contracted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to develop the state’s plan. Cave species and habitats are being included as important targets for future conservation attention.
Klamath Mountain Conservation Task Force
Steve Knutson, Chairman
KMCTF
Mount Adams Conservation Task Force
Edd Keudell, Chairman
MACTF
Central Oregon Conservation Task Force
Garry Petrie, Chairman
COCTF
Peppersauce Cave Conservation Project
Ray Keeler, Project Coordinator
PCCP
Project Overview:
The Peppersauce Cave Conservation Project (Peppersauce
Cave Water and Restoration Project, ADEQ Grant Award #: EV
01-0050(20006)) has been a two year project cleaning a cave in
containing permanent pools in southern Arizona and received the
NSS Group Conservation Award in 2003. The cave receives tens of
thousands of unsupervised visitors each year. Some leave trash,
garbage, human waste and graffiti. The project’s purpose has
been to remove the waste and graffiti, and mitigate the future
impact through education and signage. There were seven areas of
this project: Administration and Management, Water Sampling and
Water Remediation, Graffiti Removal, Solid Waste Removal, In-cave
signage and Kiosk as outside signage.
Major Accomplishments:
Peppersauce Cave contains approximately 7,000 feet of
mapped passages in Coronado NF, Arizona. Hundreds of taggings,
primarily spray paint, throughout the cave over the last 50 years
have been removed from approximately 6,000 of the 7,000 feet of
cave passages. The primary method had been sandblasting. Spent
blast media has been removed from the cave. Also in-cave signage
has been placed through the front of the cave to help spelunkers
to get out, an informative kiosk has been erected in the wash
outside the entrance, hundreds of pounds of trash have been
removed, water samples taken to determine water quality as a
health monitor, and a permanent ladder placed at an overhang to
the Main Lake as visitors repeatedly rig knotted ropes.
Project participants logged 4,362 hours of work and transportation time to work on project activities.
The largest accomplishment is the equipment purchased for the project, valued at over $15,000, has been given to the project and will be used for other cave restoration projects around the country. First in line is Dark Canyon Cave, Carlsbad, New Mexico. From there, the schedule is open. We’re looking for the worst graffiti sites in the country. See list of the equipment below.
Project Summary:
The ADEQ grant (using EPA 319-H clean water funds) was
for up to $71,833. The total money spent from the grant was
$31,192. The Match Contribution was $50,878. The total project
estimated effort was $82,070. The primary reasons the full grant
was not needed were the water samples taken in April 2002 and
January 2003 proved cleaner than expected. This deemed the water
remediation phase of the project not necessary.
A $14,411 advance was received, equipment purchased, and major cleaning of the cave including solid waste and graffiti removal began in December 2001.
Project participation has been primarily from members of the Central Arizona Grotto (CAG, Phoenix), Escabrosa Grotto (EGI, Tucson) and other cavers throughout the state. Solid waste pickups have had several Boy Scout Troops participate.
A web page was created by CAG member Jim Dawson at http://caves.org/grotto/cag2/pcleanup.html
Please refer to our full report listing the dedicated cavers who lead and participated in the seven project areas.
Peppersauce Cave Conservation Project (PCCP) Equipment Going On Tour:
10-foot x 5-foot trailer with perpetual Arizona license plate registration
Trailer mounted compressor. 175 psi
1,500 ft. 3/4 inch high pressure hose & couplings
600 ft. 3/8 inch high pressure hose & couplings (200 ft per team)
3-way regulator allowing each sand blast team to operate independently.
Three complete sand blasting teams’ equipment including: sandblast unit and hopper, tarps, electric brushes, shop vac, wire and soft brushes, dust pans and more, extension chords,3-to-1 connectors, shop light and carrying tubs.
20, fifty pound buckets of blast media
3 cave phones with 1/2 mile of wire
25 respirators
15 goggles and face shields
2 family radios
Generator with two, 110 VAC outlets
1800 feet of 100 ft., 12 gauge extension chords, most with lights at the connectors
250 feet of 50 ft. extension chords
2 GFI line breaks.
And a bunch of supporting gear.
David L. Joaquim, Chairman
8120 E. Mitchell Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-970-8186
caveconservation@hotmail.com
Roy Vanhoozer RVanhoo@aol.com
Rick Williams rwilliams@healthallianceFCU.com (Treasurer)
Short Term Goals
- Continue the demolition of the Echo River Bridge.
Over 1,300+ feet of bridge has been demolished by volunteers. Only 150 feet remains to be demolished.
Long Term Goals
- Remove approximately 3 miles of lighting fixtures, wiring, and switchboxes from unused tourist trail in the Silliman and El Ghor passages.
Project Updates
- The Restoration Camp has a new treasurer, Rick Williams.
- In March 2004, the Restoration Camp had its largest turn-out of volunteers since its inception in 1989. 90 volunteers attended the camp and removed a tremendous amount of wire and debris from the Silliman/El Ghor passages.
- In May 2004, grant funds were obtained and volunteers were reimbursed for their expenses for the four camps held in 2003.
Problems
- Inclement weather has prevented us from accomplishing our short term goal. Storms have caused flooding of the Echo River passage during the last three weekend camps. As a result, camp volunteers have been unable to work on the bridge demolition
Jim "Crash" Kennedy
Cave Resources Specialist, Bat Conservation International
Jim Kennedy has been traveling. Look for coverage of activities in the Fall 2004 report.
Hazel A. Barton-Olsen (Chairman)
Amy Bern (Committee member)
Larry Flemming (Committee member)
Bob Hall (Committee member)
Submitted an update for the NSS News Conservation Issue. Based on the reports of this ongoing issue, Geocaching has become a permanent committee in the Conservation Division.
Albert A. Krause, Chairman
aakrause@ufl.edu
Plans:
No change. NSS website, members manual, the NSS News
Conservation issue, and the Conservation and Management Section
provide extensive coverage on the Conservation Grants Program.
Progress:
No grant applications have been received or are known to
be pending for the current fiscal year. A balance of $3,000.00
remains in the grant fund.
Problems:
None as such -- there appears to be an appreciable
decline in the current number of active conservation-related
research and educational/public-awareness projects being
undertaken. This is an area that historically waxes and wanes.
Remarks:
This program has historically been under-utilized and
overlaps in subject matter with several other NSS grant and
"Save-the-Caves" programs. It may well be time to
reconsider merging "Conservation Grants" into the
currently separate "Research Grants" or
"Education" programs with comparable impact but
potentially more application to the needs of the membership and
the general goals of the NSS.
The current Conservation Grants Program is the result of the combination of two formerly separate programs -- one for Conservation Research and the second for Conservation programs. The melding was performed by the BOG to provide more flexibility for funding Conservation initiatives by blending the two programs and budgets into a single account. Based on precedent, the resultant program provides funding for Cave/Karstland Conservation-related research and educational programs of potentially broad impact. Generally, grants are competitively awarded to eligible applicants based on project merit and available funding. Preference is given to graduate research theses and dissertations of merit, followed by other academic research, followed by conservation-oriented educational programs of broad impact. Cave-specific projects, like clean-outs, gates, land improvements, etc. which constructively serve as capital improvements to real estate are NOT eligible for assistance under the Conservation Grants Program.
Thomas Lera
Continue to communicate with the international conservation community and promote protection of caves and karst.
Jay Jorden, Chairman
Current commission members: Gale Beach < raybeach@earthlink.net >; Thomas Rea < tomrea@ccrtc.com >; John Wilson < wilsonjml@msn.com >; Aaron Atz < atz@netpointe.com >; Thomas Lera < frontier2@erols.com >
Progress:
The commission has continued to work with Greater
Springfield Area Crime Stoppers Inc. in the Riverbluff Cave case
and has been vigilant for other possible cave vandalism issues in
the five months since the last report. In April, following a
commission vote, the NSS reward fund paid $1,000 to the anonymous
tipster who provided Missouri authorities with information
leading to the arrests and convictions of two individuals in
connection with vandalism at Riverbluff Cave in Greene County,
Missouri, in April 2002. Authorities said that without the
informant’s help, the case would have remained unsolved. Our
understanding was that the NSS vandalism deterrence reward
provided some incentive for the tipster to come forward. With
Crime Stoppers’ help, the reward was distributed to the
informant through a local financial institution – Metro
Credit Union in Springfield – that CS has used in the past
as an intermediary for those who don’t want to be
identified, ensuring confidentiality of the recipient. Using this
established system also retained credit for the NSS reward and
its vandalism deterrence program. The Crime Stoppers board, which
had already authorized a $100 reward in the case, reconsidered
after the NSS vandalism commission’s decision and voted on
an additional $400 for the tipster. The total reward between the
NSS and Crime Stoppers was $1,500. The money was delivered.
Officer Bari Berger of Crime Stoppers was instrumental in setting
up disbursement of the reward to the anonymous tipster and also
augmenting the NSS check with additional CS funds. Berger wrote,
"Yes, I attribute the reward you all paid for helping to
convince the board to up theirs. ... Thank you!"
Crime Stoppers helped to distribute an NSS news release on the reward along with its own publicity, including a bulletin seeking a third suspect in the case. News services and other media picked up the information. Information was also sent to the NSS News.
Problems:
None noted. This was the first instance in recent years
that the commission has been faced with the issue of how to deal
with an anonymous informant. It was educational to work with
Crime Stoppers in this regard. That organization works diligently
in many ways to ensure confidentiality of informants who may fear
possible retaliation from those who are prosecuted, as in this
case. Knowledge gained will be useful for similar situations in
the future.
Plans:
Commission members will continue to review all
successful prosecutions of cave vandals with an eye toward
publicizing the Society's conservation objectives and rewarding
diligence on the part of those individuals who work in
furtherance of those goals. Other means of publicizing the
commission's activities are also envisioned. The commission chair
also plans to continue contributing to the NSS Conservation and
Management Section's publication efforts.
Progress:
Plans:
Problems:
None.
Paula Grgich-Warke (Chairman)
Progress:
Plans:
Barbara L. Moss (Chairman)
Plans:
Progress:
Problems:
Patiently waited while Web Server changed; otherwise no other problems.
Anmar Mirza (Chairman)
Progress:
Several articles have been submitted to the NSS News and
published.
Plans:
Continuing to work on and
build the webs site for the STC. Working with the committee to
develop more guidelines.
Problems:
The NSS server being down was a minor problem in
updating the web site but no significant problems otherwise.
Roberta K. Serface (Chairman)
Progress:
Plans:
Problems:
The only other problems now are finding enough hours in the day to go caving, take footage and edit it! We are always searching for ideas, so speak up if you have any.
Pat Bingham (Chairman)
Melanie Peterson is organizing the new website for our committee. Much work has yet to be done on it, and we are in the process of making changes. The site may be seen at http://www.caves.org/youth/
The brochures will be placed within the site in the next few days. Please review them once I send word that they are available. Let me know if any corrections need to be made.
Chuck Acklin has developed a BSA cave training program that he is using in Utah. It looks very promising.
No problems other than trying to juggle work, caving, committee work, and life.
Barbara Moss
Project Underground
Barbara Moss, Project Underground Board Chairman
Wil Orndorff reported that Project Underground and Karst Education might become a contracted position administered through Virginia Tech, while still working as part of the DCR Karst Program.
Carol Zokaites has completed three Project Underground Workshops earlier this year and is planning a two-day facilitator-training program at the Radford University’s SELU Conservancy on April 28 – 29, 2004.
John Punches (National Coordinator)
633 West Hazel St.
Roseburg, OR 97470
Home: 541-957-5461
Work: 541-672-4461
e-mail: national@ncrc.info
NCRC Web site: ncrc.info
Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC)
Doug Moore (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Mark Bowers (Western Region Coordinator)
Bob Rodgers (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Sam Chewning, MD (Medical Coordinator)
John Evans (Northeast Region Coordinator)
Marc Ohms (Rocky Mountain Region Coordinator)
Tim Comer (South Central Region Coordinator)
Anmar Mirza (Central Region Coordinator)
Ken Hill (Cave Diving Coordinator)
Efrain Mercado Vasquez (Caribbean Region Coordinator)
Tim White (Southeastern Region Coordinator)
John Punches (Pacific Northwest Region Coordinator)
Staff
Harold Chrimes (Equipment Manager)
Tricia Daugherty (Database Manager)
Andy Franklin (NCRC Discussion and Administrative List Manager)
Rebecca Jones (Education Board Member)
Berta Kirchman (Financial Officer)
James Hall (Archives Officer)
Barb Ritts (Education Board Member)
Monty Strange (Education Board Member)
Susan Thrasher (Assistant to the National Coordinator)
Marc Tiritilli (Education Board Member/Curriculum Coordinator)
Kathy Welling (Recording Secretary)
Progress:
The NCRC Board of Regional Coordinators last met on
February 7, 2004, in Walker County Georgia. Minutes and reports
have been posted on the NCRC web site (ncrc.info) and a general
overview of that meeting was included in my February report.
The major focus of our efforts during the last few months has been revision of NCRC curricula for Levels 1, 2, and 3, and preparation for the 2004 National Seminar (details below).
Regional Orientation to Cave Rescue classes were offered, during the past few months, in Virginia, California (2), Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Regional coordinators worked with several state agencies/public entities to create or refine cave rescue standards and/or resource lists.
Plans:
The 2004 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar will be held
June 19-26, 2004, in Indiana. It will be hosted by the NCRC
Central Region. We expect about 80 students and have 30
instructors.
The NCRC 2005 National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for Alabama, June 25 – July 2. Most of the arrangements have been completed, a brochure has been prepared, the budget has been submitted for NSS review, and the seminar website should be ready soon.
The 2006 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for Puerto Rico.
Regional weeklong seminars are being planned the Western Region (October) and Eastern Region (sometime in 2005).
OCRs are being planned/considered by the Eastern, PNW, Southwestern, and Northeastern regions.
The NCRC Cave Diving Coordinator worked with the South Central and Caribbean regional coordinators to identify resources for a cave diving incident in Mexico.
Problems:
Our attempt to obtain general liability insurance in
conjunction with the new NSS policy failed. Thanks to Ted Keyes
for making the attempt. Earlier attempts to obtain a
"rescue-squad-type" policy also fell through. This has
the primary impact of limiting our access to potential training
sites/facilities. We would welcome Board advice on how to
proceed.
Kathy Welling (Recording Secretary)
Spring 2004 Report
Carol Tiderman
Carol Tiderman, Chairman
Progress:
Plans:
Problems:
Peri Frantz and Lynn Fielding, Chairmen
| 2003 NSS Convention Financial Summary | |||
| Prepared 5/17/04, Peri Frantz | |||
| from interim report supplied by Amy Ponsetti | |||
| Income | |||
| Registration | 102,731.50 | ||
| Symbolic Devices | 11,298.00 | ||
| Other Income | 7,985.81 | ||
| Special Events | 19,600.00 | ||
| Unexplained Income | 6,276.84 | ||
| Total Income | 147,892.15 | ||
| Expenses | |||
| Symbolic Devices & Publications | 21,087.64 | ||
| Facilities | 16,257.62 | ||
| Registration Expenses | 482.90 | ||
| Campground | 11,186.40 | ||
| Howdy Party | 14,494.52 | ||
| Photo Salon | 2,523.91 | ||
| Banquet | 19,779.89 | ||
| Other Expenses | 29,343.57 | ||
| Special Events | 14,764.15 | ||
| Total Expenses | 129,920.60 | ||
| Net Convention Profit | $17,971.55 | ||
| Reconcile Convention Profit with Final check to NSS | |||
| Net Profit as per Accounting Report | $17,971.55 | ||
| Internal Transfers to be made | $5,040.50 | ||
| Checks not Cleared | $255.20 | ||
| Bad Checks not Collected | ($426.50) | ||
| Net Check to NSS | $22,840.75 | ||
Note: Some of the bad checks have been collected since this report as have checks that have not cleared. Internal Transfers are items like seed money, honorarium, JSS, Insurance. The treasurer can answer additional accounting questions.
Jean Devries
Progress:
We have made tremendous progress in the last few months,
and plans are going extremely well. All tasks are on schedule,
and all outstanding items are being worked on with anticipated
completed date well before the convention.
We have discovered that we do need liquor permits in order to serve beer, and those are in the process of being secured. I anticipate no problems.
As of 6/13, our registration is 442. We anticipate no problem hitting our break even of 700 and staying within our budget.
We were able to fill two Geology Tour buses.
We have hired outside security for the 5 P.M. - 12 M. hours. We are looking to hire some day security, but may be able to fill with volunteers if we can't.
We got the necessary liquor liability insurance for the campground.
All in all, we've done a bunch of other stuff, but I won't detail it here.....
Plans:
-- Maintain our sanity, our friendships, and put on a
kick ass Convention.
Problems:
-- OK, here's my rant. In several e-mails back and forth
to Ted Kayes, we specifically asked if we could shop for our own
general liability insurance that was cheaper, and if there was a
deadline by which we had to reject the NSS's policy. We were told
that we could shop around, and that there was no deadline.
So, we shopped around. We spent time filling out applications, we used an agent's time, we used company underwriter's time. Then, midway through the process, we were told by Ted that shopping around wasn't an option, we had to take the NSS policy because it was already bought and paid for, and it was going to cost us $5,000.
I called our agent, and told him. He is also the agent that got us our liquor liability, so the blow of wasting his time was a bit softened by the commission check he's going to get from us on that policy, but it still didn't make us look good.
In subsequent conversations, he came back and told us that the company he had our application in with approved our application, and came back with a rate of $3,200.
So, not only do we look stupid, I have lost an opportunity to save some money and restore some of the "extras" that were taken out in order to tweak the budget.
Mind you, I'm not blaming Ted for this any more than I would expect to be blamed if our convention went $1,800 in the hole. He was, I'm sure, a victim of circumstance the same as we are.
However, from our perspective, knowing that all along we were told that we could shop around, knowing that the NSS policy premium got jacked sky high, and knowing that the NSS faces financial straits, it looks like perhaps the NSS is trying to get a portion of their premium paid out of someone else's budget. This is extremely disappointing to us.
Additionally, there are absolutely no Board acts or information in the convention planning manual that says we have to take the NSS policy. If this is the expectation in the future, it needs to be clarified so future conventions don't waste their time and can focus it on other things instead.
I look forward to seeing you all in Michigan in less than a month.
Paul & Lee Stevens
Everything is ready for Convention.
Chairman: William (Bill) Jackson
Vice-Chairman: Don Shofstall
Chairmen NSS I/O Committee: Evelyn Bradshaw, Keith Wheeland
CONGRESS OF GROTTOS ISSUE FROM HAZEL MEDVILLE
Should the NSS publish the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (Journal) electronically with printed copies an added cost for members?
Background: The American Geological Institute (AGI), in which the NSS is a member organization, is creating a web publishing site (called GeoScienceWorld.org) for juried publications of member organizations. The journals will be searchable and and "hits" will display the abstract. Subscriptions to the database of publications will be sold to libraries. In addition, an individual can buy full copies of articles. Members of member societies who publish using GeoScienceWorld.org will have access to their society's publication via a password secure identifier and can download their own copy. I believe as a publishing society member you will also have search capabilities for the entire database. Profits from the sale of database subscriptions to libraries and downloads of articles will be divided among the publishing societies.
Benefits to the NSS include a cost savings in publishing the Journal (if not too many members subscribe to paper copies), additional income from the sale of subscriptions to the search database, and additional income from the sale of articles through the subscription and search process. Since we are still publishing Journal, there is no loss of member services or society prestige.
Note: Since the NSS can not become a founding member of GeoScienceWorld.org (closed May 2004), this issue can be discussed and either voted on or tabled for next year. A prospectus developed by AGI is available for review by the NSS Executive Committee and society members can look at the marketing material and use the free demonstration package through the web site GeoScienceWorld.org. Other options could also include the NSS web publishing on its own without joining and contributing to the cost of GeoScienceWorld.org.
Hazel Medville, editor and member of the Executive Committee of the Hawaii Speleological Survey also director of the West Virginia Speleological Survey
6/28/04