Administrative Vice-President
Report to the NSS Board of Directors
July, 2001
Table of Contents
Administrative Vice President
Overview
Cave Management Division
Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Cave Conservancies Committee
Closed Cave Database Committee
Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee
Land Owner Relations Committee
NSS Cave Preserves Committee
Conservation Division
Conservation Committee
Liaison for International Speleothem Protection
Conservation Grants Subcommittee
Conservation Task Force Subcommittee
Resource Preservation Committee
Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee
Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission
Education Division
Environmental Education Committee
National Cave Rescue Commission
Safety and Techniques Committee
Television Video Production Committee
NSS Convention Division
Convention Development Committee
2000 NSS Convention
2001 NSS Convention
2002 NSS Convention
2003 NSS Convention
Junior Speleological Society
Salon Coordinator
Congress of Grottos
Cave Preserve Reports (Attachment C-1)
Alachua Sink Cave Preserve Management Plan (Attachment C-2)
2002 NSS Convention Report (Attachment C-3)
2002 NSS Convention Budget (Attachment C-4)
NCRC Officers (Attachment C-5)
Management Plan for Sellecks Karst Preserve (Attachment C-6)
Management Plan for the Lightners Entrance to McClungs Cave (Attachment C-7)
Cheryl Jones
The Department of the Administrative Vice President consists
of 32 Committees and sub-committees, two Commissions, and four
NSS Convention hosts Committees. Within these are nine
Conservation Task Forces, ten NSS Cave Preserves, and six NSS
Conservancies.
The current name and contact information for the chairman of
each organizational entity may be found at www.caves.org/nss-business/bog/table-4d.html
Departmental Highlights
General
- Produced in association with the Smithsonian National
Museum of Natural History a special cave photo exhibit
"Caves: A Fragile Wilderness," which opened
April 7 (and will run through September).
- AVP attended the 2002 Convention staff meeting in Camden,
Maine.
- Worked with the NSS IT Committee in developing the new
AVP-related NSS home page links, and other web page
concepts.
- Submitted a revised NSS Membership Brochure to the OVP.
- Framed for display in the NSS office Sen. Tom
Daschle’s letter supporting the NSS and cave and
karst management, accompanied by a photo. Also procured
for permanent display a copy of the promotional poster
developed by the Smithsonian for ąCaves: A Fragile
Wilderness."
- Attended a briefing on the status of the proposed
National Cave and Karst Research Institute.
- Met with USFS representatives in Washington DC to discuss
a range of topics pertaining to NSS Conservation Division
activities and interests.
Cave Management Division
Current Focus: Work with local cavers to
acquire and manage caves in a responsible way.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report,
we’ve
- Completed the new steps for Tytoona Cave Preserve
sinkhole.
- Progressed with the plans for the Shelta Cave fencing
project. Explored funding opportunities and management
plans.
- Investigated a lead on and evaluated cave property for
sale in Georgia.
- Developed the current Alachua Cave Preserve Management
Plan (attachement C-2).
Conservation Division
Current Focus: Continue to develop new
programs to foster a greater understanding of cave and karst
resources and coordinate this effort with Education Division
initiatives.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report,
we’ve
- Appointed a Liaison for International Speleothem
Protection within the Resource Preservation Committee,
and begun working with national and international
programs.
- On behalf of the NSS, attended the meeting of the
national steering committee to produce a handbook on gate
designs for underground habitats.
- Participated in the national Cave Management Training
Workshop for BLM land managers.
- Awarded a $500 Conservation Grant to the Indiana Karst
Conservancy.
- Arranged a new cost-share agreement with the NPS to
continue organizing the Mammoth Cave Restoration camps.
- Developed a seminar on cave and karst conservation for
Lincoln National Forest personnel.
- Initiated development of a NSS brochure on the value of
lava tubes and related resource conservation issues.
Education Division
Current Focus: Expand our cave and karst
educational outreach programs, and raise the visibility of the
NSS in connection with educational initiatives and opportunities.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report,
we’ve
- Produced a proposal for the National Speleological
Foundation for managing the Eugene Vehslage Scholarship
Program.
- Obtained a link on the NSS home page to the NSS STC web
page, which will be developed in the next few months.
- Outlined a program and process for distributing the AGI
books to grottos to support education activities.
- Revised and signed a contract for NCRC artwork.
- Awarded a $1,500 educational grant to Project Underground
Convention Division
Current Focus: Revising and updating the
Convention Manual and improving on-line access, locating a host
group for the 2004 Convention, assist in the in the run-up to the
2001 Convention.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report,
we’ve
- Finalized the 2002 Convention Budget
- Established the Cave Art web page on the NSS web site,
with a link from the NSS home page. Initiated development
of caving post cards.
- Made headway on the revision process for the NSS
Convention Manual.
- Established an independent checking account and enhanced
accounting processes for JSS.
Details
Cave Management Division Kudos!
Thanks go out to these folks who
helped construct the new steps
at Tytoon Cave Preserve for a job well done
- Garrett Czmore Tytoona Cave
Preserve Manager and Committee Chair (37.5hr)
- Chuck Biles - Huntingdon Co. Cave
Hunters (13.5hr)
- John Blough - Tytoona Cave Preserve
Committee (14hr)
- Garrett Czmor - Tytoona Cave
Preserve Manager and Committee Chair (37.5hr)
- Mary Czmor - Tytoona Cave Preserve
Committee (24.5hr)
- Troy Czmor - Huntingdon Co. Cave
Hunters (5hr)
- Marti Dittsworth - Huntingdon Co.
Cave Hunters (11.5hr)
- Gene Jones - Tytoona Cave Preserve
Committee (11.5hr)
- Mark Lancaster - Tytoona Cave
Preserve Committee (1.5hr)
- Marcus Lancaster - unaffiliated
(1.5hr)
Thom Engel, Chairman
- Requests for two grants, of $5,000 each, have been
received from conservancies to purchase properties:
Lightners Entrance of McClungs Cave in West Virginia.
(Management plan received and reviewed) Sellecks Karst
Preserve in New York.
- On behalf of the Committee, Gary Bush met with SCCI, land
trust and state agency reps to evaluate a lead on the
Griers Cave property in southwest Georgia that may be for
sale. It appears that the property may be most
appropriate for purchase and management on a local level.
John M. Wilson, Chairman
Plans:
- A Cave Conservancies roundtable and symposium for cave
conservancies, land trusts with caves, and related cave
management interest is planned for the 2001 NSS
Convention. Tina Hall will plan and chair the session.
- The Cave Conservancies Committee continues to be
available to advise Cave Conservancies.
Progress:
No additional Cave Conservancies have applied for Conservancy
status with the NSS since the last Board report.
Everett Carpenter. Chairman
Progress:
- Efforts continue to obtain relevant information on closed
caves from every state. Progress is being made.
- Work continues on developing a method of organizing data
in a meaningful way.
Garrett Czmor, Chairman
Accomplishments:
- Have reprinted new supply of CCUS register books and
manager manuals.
- Redesigned the CCUS order form for easier use.
- Redesigned the covers on the CCUS register books for
easier use and a more noticeable brilliant color.
- At least two NSS grottos have made donations to the CCUS
(money has been forwarded to the NSS office in
Huntsville).
- Four data entry people continue to tabulate book data
onto computer disks. The data results will cover the
period from 1995 to 1999. This tremendous backlog is
slowly being reduced.
- Currently there are 16 CCUS attendants or managers
covering 54 cave registers in 7 states (California,
Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and
West Virginia).
- Tim Kilby is working in his spare time to develop new
windows friendly data crunching software. The new
software will allow any one with a computer and running
Windows to be able to enter data. Instead of sending
books back, the managers would send data disks. He hopes
to have a final version available this year plus include
an option where it will be easy for CCUS managers to
simply upload the data to me via Internet. This will make
our jobs a little easier which is much appreciated.
Problems:
- When I took over the CCUS as chairman some years back, I
soon discovered that I had also inherited a large backlog
of register books for tabulation. To compound matters
worse, much of the old data books were still out there
somewhere. Most have trickled my way sporadically over
the years and we have now plenty of books to convert to
disk data. This backlog has slowed us down but we are
progressing towards the goal for a report. I appreciate
everyone's patience.
- The Meramac Valley Grotto never complied with my request
(and their promise) to return any CCUS materials they
might have (canisters, books, etc.). The grotto was
deactivated from the CCUS in 1999 after it was evident
that no one in their grotto would continue servicing
registers in their area.
- Tim Kilby has been working on developing new Windows
based software for the CCUS for over a year. I'm expected
to receive a rough working copy or beta version1 very
soon. Tim is doing this in his spare time and expressed
to me that he is having problems in the part of the
program that does the data analysis. I'm still hopeful
that he will complete the project, although I'm open for
any help from others who might have the needed
programming knowledge should we come to that point.
The old DOS CCUS software used in crunching the book data
into computer format is not y2k compatible. The software will
not give 100% results on all data starting year 2000. Besides
that, the DOS format is not easy for those to use today since
most programs are in a Windows format. I was turned down by
the NSS a few years ago when I proposed a budget of $600 to
have new software made by a commercial programmer. Presently,
all year 2000 and beyond data books are being stored for
future entry once we get the badly needed software.
Plans for this Fisal Year
- To have all the old data compiled and issue a report on
the results perhaps in the NSS News.
- Have new Windows based data crunching software available
and to encourage manageres to use the new software.
- Edit and print an updated edition of the CCUS manual.
- Try to encourage reactivation of cave registers in a few
known popular caves that were badly neglected and
abandoned years ago from the CCUS project.
Vacant
Bill Thoman has resigned. The position is being advertised.
Gary Bush, Chairman
I. GENERAL:
The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached for
the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of
each report in Section II of this report. Only six of the ten
Managers submitted a report this period.
Overall, the Preserve properties are in good condition
Plans:
- Research the liability issue and release form situation
for each property
Progress:
- I've made no progress on obtaining legal opinions of the
usefulness of waivers at our cave properties.
- Significant maintenance work continues at several of the
Preserves, as noted below.
- An updated Management Plan for Alachua Sinks Preserve is
included
Problems:
- A large section of overhung wall collapsed in the lower
level of Warren Cave sometime this winter. The event was,
fortunately, not witnessed. Minimal hazard would have
occurred, even if people had been present. No other
problems were reported at the other preserves.
II. PROPERTY STATUS:
McFails Cave (New York):
Spring clean-up projects were completed this period and
visitation has begun. There were five trips in May, with a total
of 25 cavers. Other projects, including a re-gating, are
underway.
Shelta Cave (Alabama):
The Shelta Cave fencing
project funding activities continue.
- A $5K US Fish and Wildlife grant.
- A $5K Grant from BCI (75% initially and 25% upon
completion of the project)
- We are working to raise another $5K
John Guilday Cave Preserve (West Virginia):
Activity has been very quiet this period.
Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve (Georgia):
Several research trips were conducted this period. One involved
soil sampling to test for histoplasmosis. A similar test in 1984
was negative. The annual teachers' trip is planned for June 19th.
This trip is in conjunction with the Weinman Mineral Museum in
Cartersville, Georgia.
Barton Hill Karst Preserve (New York):
Some locals are accessing the site on ATVs. This is being looked
into.
Warrens Cave (Florida):
As noted earlier, a gigantic block of limestone, estimated at
about 200 tons, comprising most of a wall near the Crossroads
(just inside the cave) fell a distance of about 1.5 feet. This
was an unusual overhung slab and no similar areas exist in the
cave, so a recurrence is highly unlikely. Visitors will be warned
to be aware, however.
Further investigation is underway and will be reported later.
Donald R. Russell Preserve (Oklahoma):
(No Report received this period)
Schoharie Caverns (New York):
(No Report received this period)
Alachua Sink Preserve (Florida):
An updated Management Plan, developed by the NSS Cave Diving
Section (designated Preserve Managers), is attached.
Other projects are continuing.
Tytoona Cave Preserve (Pennsylvania):
Regular work and educational trips are continuing at the
property. Overall, the property is in good shape.
Projects planed include: resurveying the cave, photographing
the property and cave, modifying some of the older steps, and
generally cleaning certain areas. The Management Committee has
been very active at this Preserve.
- The "steps-railing" project at Tytoona is
completed.
- The project began on March 17, 2001 and was completed on
April 9, 2001.
- It took 16 separate work trips — about 39 work
session hours , or about 120 man-hours — to
complete.
- Thanks to all that helped in this project. Without their
help, the project never would have been completed.
(Individuals listed above in "kudos" section)
Jim C. Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker
Let us know what you’ve been up to!
Send updates, protection concerns,
conservation opportunities, and kudos for individuals or groups
to Jim and Val < werks@att.net >
Conservation Division
Kudos !!
.
- Eric Henderson for his persistence and success in getting
a cave protection law passed in Maine.
- Cavers in Kentucky and surrounding areas who are working
from many angles to inventory and protect cave and karst
resources in response to two large scale threats in their
state: An Intermodal Transit Park on the sinkhole plain
near Mammoth Cave, and a damaging path through karst
lands of Kentucky for the proposed I-66.
- We applaud the NSS IMAX Committee, Grottos in IMAX areas,
and countless NSS cavers who are coordinating to direct
media and community attention toward the benefits of
karst and cave protection instead of the thrills,
extremes, and adventures of caving.
- Paul Meyer and his team for their work with BCI and
USFandS to develop a more bat-friendly protection system
for Shelta Cave, and obtain funding for the project.
- Patty Daw, Rick Elhard, and Bill Halliday for providing
information to use in creating and NSS brochure on the
value of lava tube and pseudo-karst resources.
- Larry King and his team for challenging recreational
bolting routes in Hidden Forest Cave, Bend/Fort Rock
Ranger District, Oregon.
- Tennessee and other TAG cavers who are challenging the
planned Spencer Wastewater Treatment Plant project near
Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee.
Forgive us for failure to mention the
thousands of others out there working for cave conservation.
Board members, please feed us recognition
information. Send us brief notes so we can include in
future kudos
werks@att.net
Vision 2001 for the NSS Conservation Division:
Heighten awareness of the importance of cave and karst
conservation by reaching a greater diversity of audiences
throughout the US.
Mission: During 2001 through 2005, develop
programs to strengthen public knowledge about the benefits of
cave and karst protection.
- Interface with other cave and conservation
organizations/agencies/associations/institutes to provide
cave/karst conservation outreach programs to landowners,
land managing agencies, commercial cave interpreters,
educators, and the public. Promote awareness and
conservation of karst landforms.
- Strengthen and extend common knowledge among cavers to
include multiple aspects of cave/karst protection,
preservation, and ethics.
Progress:
- The Conservation Division Website being
created by Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell now has a specific
link on the NSS Home Page. Our long-term goal is to serve
cavers and non-cavers with information concerning cave
and karst ecology/protection, while developing a resource
for conservation/restoration methods. Elizabeth is the
Webmaster and Communications Coordinator. We are
looking for someone to fill the role of Website Research
Coordinator.
- To better meet the needs of the caving community during
the run of the IMAX film, Journey into Amazing Caves,
the Conservation Division web site contains information
for grottos and NSS members on interfacing with IMAX
theaters and media. The initial focus of the Conservation
web site has been to provide materials that
grottos can use in action plans for IMAX demands
and ramifications.
- The NSS Conservation Division and the Education Division
are collaborating to develop NSS outreach
materials on the benefits of karst and cave
protection. Chuck Acklin, Education Division Chief, along
with Jim and Val, Conservation Chiefs will coordinate
efforts.
- Interfacing with Carol A. Hill, President of UIS
Commission on Cave Mineralogy. Thomas Lera has agreed to
be the [Interim] Chairman of the Working Group on
Speleothem Protection. Tom has also agreed to serve the
NSS Conservation Committee as the NSS Liaison for
International Speleothem Protection. He
continues to work on discouraging E-Bay speleothem sales.
Jim C. Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Co-Chairmen
Convention
- The Restoration Workshop will be on
Monday morning, the NSS Conservation and
Management Section meeting at noon on Monday,
and the Conservation and Management Session
on Monday afternoon. The afternoon session will start
with a panel and interactive discussion on Cave
Wilderness, coordinated by Pat Seiser. Later in the week,
we have scheduled a half-day closed orientation meeting
for the new Conservation Team.
Brochures
- Jo Schaper has agreed to revise two NSS brochures. The Future
of the Underground and The
Fragile Underground will both be updated.
Eventually, these and other brochures and fact-sheets
will be placed on the Conservation Division web site as
downloadable PDF files so grottos or individuals can
print as needed.
- Jim Kennedy of BCI has agreed to update the NSS
Bats Need Friends brochure. He will start
from the draft created by Eugene Vale. The new brochure
will be a joint NSS/BCI project.
- Patty Daw, Rick Elhard, and Bill Halliday have
contributed information for a brochure on lava
tubes and a graphic artist, Michael Dale, has
expressed interest in working on the project.
Book
- Cave Conservation and Restoration continues in
the reviewing and editing process. With review and
editing for more than thirty authors, this is an extended
process. Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, editors for
this manual, are working with EVP Ray Keeler, the NSS
Special Publications Committee, various reviewers,
authors, and photographers to produce a quality NSS
publication.
Seminars and Workshops
- Presented information on the NSS and cave/karst
conservation during the first national Cave
Management Training Workshop for BLM land
managers, coordinated by Jim Goodbar and conducted in
Carlsbad, April 24-26, 2001.
- Presented cave conservation seminar for Lincoln
National Forest personnel in Alamogordo, NM on
May 8.
- Hosted an NPR radio journalist, Daniel
Grossman, on June trip to Carlsbad for science interviews
in Spider Cave. He has contacted us about doing a piece
on conservation work in caves.
- Scheduled to present workshops at Timpanogos Cave
National Monument and at Convention in July.
Long Term Initiatives
- Presentation material for kits for Conservation
Team members is being developed. Kits will
include modular slide shows and CDs, hand-out masters,
transparencies, brochures, booklets, and posters on the
benefits of karst and cave protection. A dozen NSS cavers
across the country have committed to participate in this
team and conduct seminars and presentations in their
geographic areas, and will facilitate collaboration and
information-sharing across the country. Other NSS Members
have offered their consultation and expertise in material
collection and development. We are partnering with cave
and conservation organizations throughout the country for
information, images, and materials.
- Synergy with national contacts in the federal
agencies continues.
- We update regularly with Zelda Chapman Bailey of the
USGS, appointed as the Interim NPS Director of the
National Cave and Karst Research Institute—she will
be attending the NSS Convention in Kentucky and will
present information on the Institute at 2:30 PM during
the Conservation and Management Session on Monday.
- Ron Kerbo has spoken with us about contributing to NPS
seminars and workshops.
- We continue to coordinate with Forest Service personnel,
Jim Miller and Jerry Trout nationally, and have spoken
with others about scheduling seminars in several Forest
Service Districts.
- We are evaluating the interest in joint seminars for
federal and state agency land managers during the 2001
Convention and NCKM Symposium—these events will
include the agency coordinators listed above as well as
Bob Currie of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bat Gate Design Steering Committee
- The NSS was invited to be a member of the National
Steering Committee for producing a handbook on
gate designs for underground habitats. We
represented the NSS at the initial meeting in Alton,
Illinois, in April. Other meetings are by conference
call. The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Mid-Continent
Regional Coordinating Center (Kimery Vories) in
cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Bob
Currie), and Bat Conservation International (Jim
Kennedy), initiated planning for this technical
interactive forum/workshop on the subject of Bat Gate
Design. The technical interactive forum, an
educational event on Bat Gate Design, will be held in
Austin, Texas, probably during the first week of March,
2002 and will provide the basis for a state of the art
manual on bat gate design, construction,
maintenance, beneficial aspects of conserving bats,
tested methods to safe guard bat habitat and public
health, and ways to mitigate for loss of bat roosts and
habitats.
2001 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium in
Arizona
- The 15th National Cave and Karst Management Symposium
will be held in Tucson, Arizona, October 16-19,
2001. Plans are progressing, and the
Conservation Committee is a member of the organizing
team. It has been several years since this Symposium was
held in the Southwest and the first time in the state of
Arizona. This is the forum for communicating ideas to
improve cave management. Submit abstracts for papers and
sessions to Tom Strong (520) 795-2001 cbstrong@dakotacom.net
Early abstract submissions are encouraged. Direct your
information requests to Jerry Trout, US Forest Service,
Federal Building, 300 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701 jtrout@fs.fed.us
phone: (520) 670-4552. The 2001 Symposium schedule and
other information is listed on the NSS web site. Click on
Events.
Media, Publications, etc.
- Represent the NSS in answering frequent media
inquiries from radio and print journalists.
Requests have increased as Amazing Caves opens across the
country.
- Agreed to write section on cave
restoration/repair/conservation for the Cave and
Karst Encyclopedia.
- Many favorable comments have come in on the March 2001 Conservation
Issue of the NSS News.
We continue to submit material for upcoming issues and
are beginning to solicit material for the 2002
Conservation Issue.
Other Communications
- Correspond regularly on various domestic and
international cave and karst conservation and protection
issues. We send support letters for conservation issues
as necessary and keep logs of these e-mails and phone
calls.
New Subcommittees Established
- Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell is designing and coordinating
the Conservation Division Web site.
- David Anderson has agreed to link a Volunteer
Value Database to the NSS Web site, if other
obligations allow the time.
- Leisa Eidson is serving as the Graphic Designer
for the NSS display.
- Tom Lera of Washington, D.C. is serving as the NSS
Liaison for International Speleothem Protection.
- We are looking for a Website Research Coordinator.
- We are looking for a Brochure Coordinator.
Thomas Lera
7733 Inversham Drive # 167
Falls Church, VA 22042
voice 703-560-8372
frontier2@erols.com
- Maine Cave Law has passed. Posted on the
NSS Discussion Board and CCMS web site.
- UIS and NSS speleothem campaign has
begun with the UIS posting of the Ultimate Law web site
to help people find information quickly.
- Article published in the NSS News on the
Ultimate site. Will present information at Convention
along with other updates.
- Recruited Robert Kramer to head the eBay response
campaign and starting a to-do list on how to
approach people on eBay who are selling speleothems. Plan
to write an eBay campaign for de-listing selling
speleothems.
- Posted responses to eBay speleothem questions on
caves.org bulletin board.
- Writing two articles for the Cave and Karst
Encyclopedia.
- Wilderness article published in NSS News
and on CCMS web site.
Albert A. Krause
Grants Awarded:
- Awarded grant of $500 to the Indiana Karst Conservancy
for purchase of a karst ground water flow demonstration
model to use in public outreach programs and workshops.
- Last year, only one Conservation Grant was awarded,
leaving $2,500 in programmed grant funds unused.
- Three late applications from last year for funds to
procure karst groundwater demonstration models are on
hold, pending a Board approval of a motion to procure
karst groundwater demonstration models for general use by
NSS activities.
- Thus far this FY, there have been no new Conservation
Grant applications received nor grants awarded. Funds
available for the award total $3,000.00.
Plans:
- Increase the visibility of the Conservation Grants
program, to encourage more applications.
Jo Schaper, Coordinator
- Reactivation of the Cumberland Plateau CTF
in the Spencer Mountain Cave System of East Central
Tennessee to investigate a new sewage facility that
threatens the caves and karst of the area. The NSS
provided legal assistance, etc., for documentation of the
threats.
- Central Oregon CTF is leading the fight
in the Deschutes National Forest over an Environmental
Assessment pitting the needs of the caves and their
archeological resources with the desires of the rock
climbing community who have been petitioning the National
Forest to keep the Road 18 Bend area caves open to
climbing and bolting. The revised Road 18 Caves
Environmental Assessment is due in 2001.
- Germany Valley CTF is monitoring the
threat from limestone mining at Hellhole, an extensive
West Virginia cave that is home to approximately
one-quarter of the world's population of Virginia Big
Eared Bats.
- Klamath Mountains CTF reports much
activity but little progress with karst protection
concerns in the Klamath National Forest and the
protection of paleo resouces at Oregon Caves National
Monument, NPS. This CTF is also working for resource
management of a cave rescued from onyx miners on Shasta
Trinity National Forest in northern California.
- Sloans Valley CTF continues to actively
pursue landfill mitigation, Kick 66, the Intermodal
Transit Park, and Off Road Vehicle proposals. See the
March 2001 NSS News.
- Teton CTF continues alive, well, and
active, according to its director.
- Pennsylvania Cave Legislation CTF, long
a project of Judi Stack (who coordinated and quilted the
beautiful bat quilt raffled at last year's convention)
will disband—she has become discouraged with the
receptivity of the legislature.
- Xanadu Cave CTF is organizing to segue
to an NSS Conservancy.
- Lost River Conservation Association and Hawaii
Caves round out the current roster of NSS
Conservation Task Forces.
Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim Werker, Co-Chairmen
Conservation Team
- Conservation Team kits are being developed.
Kits will include modular slide shows and CDs, hand-out
masters, transparencies, brochures, booklets, and posters
on the benefits of karst and cave protection.
- NSS members have agreed to participate in the
Conservation Team, including: Aimee Beveridge, Elizabeth
Rousseau-Bunnell, Al Collier, Bill Elliott, Susan Herpin,
Hillary Lambert Hopper, David Joaquim, Kriste Lindberg,
Julie Schenck, Roland Vinyard, Carol Zokaites, Jim
Werker, Val Hildreth-Werker. We have scheduled a team
meeting during Convention.
Jay Jorden, Chairman
Commission Members: Gale Beach, George Huppert, Tom Rea, and
John Wilson
- The commission has received no solid proposals for
rewards or information on the prosecution and conviction
of cave vandals.
Norm Rogers (Co-Chairman) Karen Dennis (Co-Chairman)
Progress
- A new, one-year, National Park Service cost-share program
is in the works, and we expect it to be finalized soon.
Chuck Acklin
First Year Activities and Results To Date:
• Clarify organization expectations and boundaries.
• Support present (and developing) programs.
• Developing pilot program to teach caving to youth organizations. Idea developed from increase of Boy Scout cave
rescues in Utah and an announcement made by Girl Scouts of America regarding caving. Identifying a pilot program
area to start next spring. Using existing programs and materials, Education Division will provide access to resources
for youth groups. Preliminary approvals and interest obtained in Saint Louis, Missouri, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Not ready to present restructuring, of division plans - reducing and simplifying Education Division delivery
capability. Result will be more efficiently getting information to member.
• Located Speleology for Cavers Organizer. Will contact regarding the development of his program for NSS
Membership.
• Awarded a $1,500 educational grant to Project Underground.
• Start education relationships and networking with cave-related agencies, organizations, businesses and industries
interested in karst conservation.
• Created proposal for the National Speleological Foundation for Education Division Committee to administer
Vehslege Scholarship Program.
• Created an outline for the Education Division to administer its Grant and Scholarship Awards through a select
committee.
• Start Networking
• Identify funding sources.
• Presently having difficulty gaining corporate interest for providing funds for cave related educational programs.
Challenges to date and resolution
Challenge: Locating Money
Resolution Strategy: Meet with representative from the
International Bottled Water Association – July 30, 2001
Barbara L. Moss, Chairman
Plans:
- Continue to add information and links to Education Web
Page
- Solicit ideas for our own information brochures, as
funding becomes available.
Progress:
• Web Page:
• Learn More About Caves Many links have been added that have been suggested by visitors to the site.
• http://www.caves.org/committee/education/learn_more_about_caves.htm
• Materials for distribution, by email, phone, or snail-mail requests:
• Received 250 Living On Karst posters; will be contacting AGI Rep in near future to pick up AGI books;
• Picked up more what Goes Down, Must Come Up posters;
• Creating a process for granting AGI books and posters to grottos who make a request to assist in educational programs.
Problems:
- There was some confusion with a few grotto contacts for
"Amazing Caves" as to who was the official
grotto contact for the IMAX theaters in the grotto’s
area. The I/O committee had not granted my request for an
updated grotto contact list, as they were in the middle
of updating it; I was told to use the 2000 NSS Members
Manual. Therefore I inadvertently stepped on a few toes
by sending information to the "wrong" person.
John Punches, National Coordinator
Progress:
- The NCRC Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC) conducted
its Winter Business Meeting Feb 3, 2001. Minutes are
posted on the NCRC Web site at www.caves.org/io/ncrc.
- Work continues, under the direction of Jeff Parnell,
Southeastern Region Coordinator, on a replacement of the
NCRC's Manual of U.S. Cave Rescue Techniques.
- Several regional cave rescue classes were completed.
Plans:
- The next Board of Regional Coordinators meeting will
occur on Tuesday, July 24, during and at NSS Convention.
- A one-day Introduction to Cave Rescue class will be
offered on Wednesday at NSS Convention. Details are
available on the NSS Convention Web site, under the link
on the events/meetings schedule.
- The NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar will be held July
28 through August 3, in southern Indiana. Details are
available on the NCRC Web site at www.caves.org/io/ncrc.
- The NCRC Eastern Region will offer a week-long Cave
Rescue Seminar August 4 through 12. Details are available
on the Eastern Region Web site at http://svis.org/erncrc/erncrc.htm
- The NCRC will again co-sponsor the International
Technical Rescue Symposium.
Dan McConnell, Chariman
(Report forthcoming)
John P. Scheltens, Chairman
- All’s quiet on the western front
National Park
Service National Cave and Karst Resource Management Education
Co-op Agreement
Peggy Kessner, Project Coordinator
- The NPS is in the process of acquiring materials for the
project, reimbursement for which is coming from the grant
money in the NSS-managed account. Training workshops for
cavers, conducted by NSS member-NPS staff teams, are
expected to begin in the fall of 2001.
Carol Tiderman
Urgent! We have no hosts for the 2004
Convention!
Convention Division Kudos
!!
- Thanks and Congratulations to Bill Carr and the 2001
Convention Staff !
Carol Tiderman, Chairman
Activities:
- Communicating and working with the 2001, 2002 and 2003
groups.
- Soliciting bids for future conventions
Plans:
- Host the Convention Planning and Development Meetings in
Mount Vernon, Kentucky.
- Attend convention committee planning meetings whenever
possible.
- Continue to solicit new host groups.
- Receive an electronic copy of the 1999 Convention
Guidebook.
- Have a revised and updated NSS Convention Manual
available on the NSS web site.
Problems:
- Volunteer host groups to bid for the 2004 Convention and
beyond have not been identified.
Kelley Deem, Chairman
Status:
Final report promised before Convention
Bill Carr, Chairman
(full report will be given at the July 23 Board meeting)
Status:
- Plans are progressing well.
- On-Line pre-registration a great success, used for about
60% of the registrations.
- About 835 pre-registrations. Based on past data, expect
Convention attendance to exceed budget.
- Update will be given to NSS Board at the July 23 meeting.
Goals:
Peter Jones, Co-Chairman
Kevin Harris, Co-Chairman
(full report attachment C-3)
Progress has been made on nearly all fronts for the 2002
Convention.
- The school contract has been signed, but the overall
final expense is higher than originally expected.
- The Convention budget has been refined and finalized.
- Howdy Party and Banquet caterer has been selected.
- Program is in full swing to solicit corporate sponsorship
for the Convention.
- Work on the Guidebook has begun.
- Convention Program editor has been appointed.
- The schooner we’d arranged to provide trips to
attendees all week has been sold. The future is unclear.
Peri Frantz, Chairman
General Progress
- A 2003 Convention Committee member will present an update
to the NSS Board at the meeting on July 23.
- A planning committee meeting will be held during
Convention.
- Convention Slogan and Logo have been selected.
- Plans are progressing well.
- The contract with Porterville College is expected to be
finalized by the 2001 Convention.
- Website domain has been acquired and paid for.
- A low-key slide show has been prepared for the 2001
Convention.
Rick and Faye Bowersox, Co-Chairmen
Progress:
- Schedules and resources for a successful JSS at the 2001
Convention have been coordinated through the convention
staff.
- Several members of the JSS staff have toured the GSP and
surrounding surface sites to better facilitate their
assigned tasks during the convention.
- JSS has finished preparations for the ice sales as well
as food and snack bar sales at the GSP site.
- New convention web pages have been created and are now
online.
- Forms for release of liability, medical consent to
treat…etc. have been revised, reviewed and are ready
for use.
- An emergency operation plan for this convention location
has been prepared by Kent Fasic and reviewed by William
Carr and me.
- The JSS web pages will be updated at the end of each day
with new photos of the day’s activities. All
Internet access depends on the requisite number of
telephone lines at GSP.
- JSS will be based in a large tent pavilion at the
campground. New JSS services for NSS Members:
• Two on-line computers with a printer for Email downloads by members who need to monitor their mailboxes. A small donation will be asked by the JSS for this service.
• Convention web cam that will provide real time streaming images of the GSP site and some activities onto the Internet.
• A "battery charging station" for cap lamps and other small devices.
Status:
- JSS has a core staff of 12 and is ready to go. All items
have been completed and our primary focus is adding small
extras to the program as well as larger
"contingent" activities that may be needed
based on demand and attendance.
Plans:
- Stay in contact with representatives from the 2002 and
2003 conventions. We have started to collect ideas for a
schedule of actives for these conventions and to produce
preliminary budgets.
- Meetings have been planned with key staff members of
future conventions during this year’s gathering at
GSP.
Paul Stevens, Coordinator
Status:
- All of the salons are on schedule and preparations for
the Thursday evening program are on track.
- The judging for the Cave Ballads, Graphic Arts, and Slide
salons is now complete.
- The NSS Salons committee "Cave Art" web site
now has a link on the NSS home page. The site is now
being updated to incorporate cave ballads audio,
electronic greeting cards using salon photos that can be
e-mailed to others, and display photographs of the
Smithsonian Natural History Museum photography exhibit on
caves.
- The "Cave Art" web page, which includes
information on NSS Salons and purchasing cave art, has
been linked to the NSS home page. Plans are to enhance
the site, and cave photo postcards are expected to be
available soon, with cave ballads to follow later in the
year.
John LeMar Cole, 2000 Chairman
Progress:
• An Issues Committee was established of the following
individuals: Kathy Welling, Hilary Lambert Hopper, Emily Davis,
David Jagnow, Peri Frantz, Jay Jorden. As general calls for
issues and resolutions in the NSS News, etc., have been
unproductive in the past, John Cole thought that a nationally
distributed committee of knowledgeable individuals would be more
effective in generating responses.
• Only two actual resolutions were submitted, both from
the Ohio Valley Region, one of which was a carry over from the
previous year.
• Five additional issues were generated for discussion on
the floor, but were not submitted as Resolutions.
Plans:
• A manual for the Congress of Grottos Chairman needs to be
compiled, containing sample documents and representative text, a
history of resolutions and issues and their outcomes, a
procedural time line, and methods of approach utilized in the
past. As it is, besides occasional anecdotal advice, only the
Board Manual Appendix Q, "Rules of Procedure for the
Congress of Grottos" currently exists and, although
providing a basic framework, leaves many procedural questions
unanswered.
• Utilizing the I/O list/serve, currently operated by
Keith Wheeland, could prove helpful in generating timely
responses from I/Os as concerns issues and resolutions.
Problems:
• The lack of transferable records, representative
documents, or an operations manual proved daunting as to
practical matters of procedure.
• The Congress of Grottos does not appear to represent
the NSS I/Os as its founders intended; its future needs to be
seriously examined.
• Personal health problems experienced by COG Chairman,
John Cole, negatively affected the timeliness of reports and
operations; there was no vice-chairman to act in his stead.