TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION
(1) AMERICAN CAVING
ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE
(2) AAAS REP-BIOLOGY
(3) AAAS
REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY
(4) AGI DELEGATE
(5) JOE IVY ENDOWMENT
COMMITTEE
(6) U. S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
(7) INTERNATIONAL
EXPLORATION
(8) RESEARCH
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(9) SPELEO DIGEST COMMITTEE
(10) SPECIAL
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
(11) JOURNAL
OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES
(12) NSS NEWS
(13) MEMBERS MANUAL COMMITTEE
(14) PERMISSION TO
REPRINT
ATTACHMENTS:
B-1 Project Proposal for the La
Venta Exploring Team
B-2 Project Proposal for the Lost
River Cave Project, Indiana
B-3 NSS Project and Study
Group Summaries for 2000
B-4 Summary of the EVP Effort:
1998-2001
The Table of Contents lines above in bold means I have a committee report below.
There are thirteen committees, and publications, etc. in the Department of the Executive Vice President (EVP). A fourteenth item has been added here to cover permissions to reprint from NSS publications.
The new book on cave rescue techniques, On Call, A Complete Reference for Cave Rescuers, John C. Hempel and Annette Fregeau-Conover, Editors, will not be at the 2001 Convention as planned. Final editing and layout required did not allow enough time for the printers to complete their portion of the effort. Pre-publications sales are being taken at this time. The book should be at the printers by the time Convention starts.
The new book Techniques of Cave Conservation and Restoration, Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Editors, is planned for the mid-October, 2001 National Cave and Karst Management symposium
The Journal had a misprint amount of just over 2,000 copies. The amount was the difference between the total NSS members and the those NSS members who receive the publications. Refer to the OVP report and the Journal report below.
Dr. Donald McFarlane has accepted the offer to chair the Research and Advisory Committee (RAC). There is a motion on the agenda confirming his appointment.
NSS Projects: Two groups are applying for NSS Project Status: La Venta Exploring Team with Peter Taylor as contact, and the Lost River Cave Project, Indiana with Mark Deebel as contact. Agenda items exist for both. Please read these excellent project summaries in Attachment B-1 and Attachment B-2 of this report. The Costa Rica Project (contact Bruce Bannerman) has been discontinued by agreement of the project chairmen.
2001 NSS PROJECT SUMMARIES are in Attachment B-3. This collection is taking longer than expected. I am checking if the RAC Chair is willing to offload this task. If so a new committee will be needed for the work.
Finally, Attachment B-4 is a summary quantifying the email effort necessary to adequately execute the duties of the EVP. Please read though it. It may help in understanding the level of effort.
Respectfully submitted,
Ray Keeler rkeeler@pcslink.com
Report Date: March 2001
Bill Putnam (Chairman)
1865 Eagle Summit Ct
Lawrenceville GA 30043-6669
Phone: 770-822-0003
Fax: 770-682-5536
Cellular: 678-234-0566
Email: putnam@scci.org
Committee Members:
Diane Cousineau
Bill Cuddington
George Dasher
John Ganter
John Gookin
Kris Green
Buddy Lane
Ray Keeler
Jeff Parnell
Laura Putnam
Progress: I am approaching completion of the 1999-2000 issue of ACA, which should be ready to go to the printer in July. I had expected to be done by now, but had to stop work last month when a trial for which I am a technical consultant and expert witness was unexpectedly moved up from its scheduled date in October to mid June. I had to drop everything to prepare, and am at the trial this week. It will be over on June 25, and I expect to be able to finish up the issue in about 2 weeks after that.
Plans: Complete final editing of manuscript for 1999-2000 issue, have it reviewed by the committee, and publish by the end of July.
Problems: None other than the aforementioned delay.
---
William O. Putnam
Kathleen H. Lavoie
Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and
Professor, Biology Department
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI. 48502-2186
Home: (810) 234-0524
Work: (810) 762-3360
E-mail: lavoiekh@SPLAVA.CC.PLATTSBURGH.EDU
Progress: Continuing discussion on ways to increase the visibility of biospeleology. Concensus seems to be on creating posters that would highlight accomplishments of distinguished scientists. Would need to get someone involved who is interested in the history of biospeleology, and speleology in general.
Plans: Would like to plan a special session focusing on biospeleology for an upcoming AAAS meeting. Have been discussing possible topics with colleagues by email.
Problems: None
Daniel L Chess
19 Tavano Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Home: (914) 945-2479 tieline 862
E-mail: dlchess@watson.ibm.com
Progress: I am co-organizing a symposium proposal for the AAAS 2002 meeting in Boston. The symposium was a suggested at the February Geology section meeting a I offered to help out, I am learning a lesson about volunteering. The symposium is titled "Recent Innovations in the Science of Underground Development" namely excavated tunnels. I am working with Andrew McKown, from Haley & Aldrich, Inc., Boston, MA. The proposal has been submitted for peer review and consideration. There is typically 300 proposals competing for about 90 spots, so there is stiff competition. Also, I received about 18 environmental/geology symposium proposals from the AAAS for peer review for the 2002 Meeting. From the proposals, it appears that global warming and climate change are the issues taking center stage for the Boston Meeting. Curiously, I wonder how cave temperatures have been increasing over the years?
Plans: No new plans.
Problems: No problems to report.
Daniel Chess, PE
Harvey R. DuChene
7216 East Bentley Circle
Englewood, CO. 80112
Home: (303) 688-5315
Work: (303) 695-3672
E-mail: hduchene@compuserve.com
American Geological Institute Representative’s Report
Progress: The AGI Environmental Awareness Series booklet "Living with Karst: A Fragile Foundation" rolled off the presses on June 1st, and a few copies were distributed at the AGI meetings in Denver on June 4. The publication looks great! Hopefully, by convention time NSS will have received its allotment and delivered copies the executives and board members. I heard nothing but high praise for the booklet during the AGI meeting. Thanks to Julie Jackson (AGI) who oversaw the publication process for AGI, to Travis Hudson (AGI) who found publishing partners to help pay for the book, to Ernst Kastning, Chris Groves, Nick Crawford, Rick Olsen, George Huppert and Betty Wheeler for contributing chapters, and especially to George Veni who made it all happen.
Plans: I have been considering my next project with AGI. I expect to participate in the next revision of the Glossary of Geology starting next year. Also AGI is considering a publication on the relationships between Geoscience and Medicine; if this project happens, I hope to put our NSS microbiologists in touch with the authors to see if a contribution on cave geobiology is appropriate.
Problems: My three-year tenure with the AGI Environmental Awareness Committee ends this year. I would like to continue, but need a letter from Mike Hood indicating that NSS wants me to stay on the committee. I will contact Mike personally to make the request. Otherwise, no problems that I know about.
Harvey DuChene
Rebecca Jones, Chairman
11916 Bluebonnet Lane
Manchaca, TX. 78652-3801
(512) 292-1878
joeivy@interserv.com
No report received.
Bill Steele NSS 8072, Chairman
2909 Warren Circle (new address and phone numbers)
Irving, TX 75062
(home) 972-255-3911
(work) 972-580-2538
(fax) 972-580-7894
Committee Members:
Dave Black, NSS 15419, Indiana
Don Broussard, NSS 9514, Texas
Jim Chester, NSS 6946, Montana
Scott Davis, NSS 15937, Arizona
Tom Shifflett. NSS 14207, Virginia
Jim Smith, NSS 14529, Georgia
Progess: Two Sara Corrie Fund grants were awarded in
May, 2001:
1. Pulaski County I-66 Cave Project $250 c/o Lee Florea
2. Coldwater Cave Project $250 c/o Michael Lace
Plans: To continue operating as have been.
Problems: None
Joel Despain
Hcr 89 Box 211
Three Rivers CA. 93271
Work: (559) 565-3717
joel_despain@hotmail.com
Progress: Preparing for FY 2002 grant requests. One request currently under review.
The International Exploration Committee had a successful year in 2000. Grants were awarded to four NSS projects in support of their exploration and research work in caves not in the United States. For work in Cueva Charco the Proyecto Cheve operating in Oaxaca, Mexico received a grant of $300. The Cerro Rabon Project, also working in Oaxaca, Mexico received a grant of $600 for purchase of a rescue SKED. The Yucatan Deep Speloelogical Dive Team was awarded a grant of $600 for their work with the submerged cave passages of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Finally, $400 was granted to the Dominican Republic Expedition for work in that Caribbean country. All projects that receive grants are required to produce an article for publication by the NSS News. To contact the Committee email Joel Despain at joel_despain@hotmail.com
Plans: Continue to receive grant requests and offer assistance when it is appropriate. I also hope to generate a list of criteria and guidelines for awarding grants for the BOG to review and eventually approve during calendar 2001.
Problems: None.
EVP Note: One half of this year’s Auction money goes to the International exploration fund. BUY STUFF!
Donald A. McFarlane, Chairman
WM. Keck Science Center, The Claremont Colleges,
925 North Mills Avenue Claremont CA 91711-5916.
ph: (909) 607 2564
fx: (909) 621 8588
dmcfarla@jsd.claremont.edu
Committee Members:
Dr. Joyce Lundberg, Carleton University.
Dr. Joseph Troester. USGS - Puerto Rico.
Donald Davis. Colorado.
Dr. Will White
Donald McFarlane, Chairman, Ralph Stone Grant
Progress: Dr. Aldemaro Romero stepped down as Chairman of the RAC due to upcoming sabbatical leave commitments. I have taken up the position as of June 2001. Current RAC members who have agreed to serve for the next year are:
Dr. Joyce Lundberg, Carleton University.
Dr. Joseph Troester. USGS - Puerto Rico.
Donald Davis. Colorado.
Dr. Will White
I am awaiting responses from several additional invitees.
Information on the Ralph W. Stone Research Grant is now
available on-line at:
http://jsd.claremont.edu/bio/nss/ralphstone.html
RAC Grant Recipients:
No RAC grants have been awarded in the past month. Two
applications are currently pending review.
Ralph Stone Graduate Fellowship.
A total of ten applications were received this year. The
award, which has been raised to $1700, was made to Jean Krejca,
University of Texas, Austin, for her proposal "Genetic
relatedness of stygobites as a tool for determining aquifer
connectedness."
NSS Projects (Science).
The Paleontological Resource Inventory of Virginia Caves
Project has requested status as an NSS Project; action is pending
and will follow receipt of the detailed project description.
Plans: I plan to move the RAC application process towards a fully electronic submission process, which should facilitate a faster review process. The Ralph Stone web pages are already up; RAC Project, RAC Research Grants, and Young Investigator Awards pages will follow shortly.
Problems: None
EVP Remarks: I have worked with Don on cave research projects during the last 13 years in three countries. This should be fun.
Scott Fee
2501 Gable Blvd.
Birmingham, AL. 35215-2862
Home: (205) 854-7487
E-mail: scottfee@pipeline.com
Editors and Desktop Layout (DTP):
2000: Scott Fee
Progress: The series remains current as 2000 is published.
Plans: To find an editorial Team for the 2001 Digest.
Problems: Not a lot to write about in my report! <grin>
David McClurg
104 Graves Ct.
Vallejo, CA 94591
Phone and Fax: (707) 642-5528
dmcclurg@value.net
Committee Members
Tom Rea (Committee Member)
Gale McCoy (Committee Member)
Shannon Knapp (Committee Member)
Janet McClurg (Committee Member)
BOOKS IN PROGRESS
On Call
A Complete Reference for Cave Rescuers
John C. Hempel and Annette Fregeau-Conover, Editors
Progress: Layout has been completed for about 95% of this book. Some materials are still receiving final editing by the editors, but are expected soon.
Plans: We will prepare promotional materials to generate sales of this book at the 2001 convention. Although originally planned to have the book finished before the convention, it is now clear that this will not be possible. The plan is to take orders at the convention and have the book finished in mid to late August for delivery at that time to those who have ordered it.
Problems: None
On Caves and Cameras
John Van Swearingen and Norm Thompson, Editors
Progress: - Norm has completed final editing and photo
selection for 10 of 33 chapters.
- Gail has been sent all 10 of these for review.
- Gail has completed review of 8 of these.
- David has been sent 6 of these for layout. (Norm just sent 2 to
him tonight.)
- David has completed layout of 4 of these.
Foreword has been received from Chris Howes and Norm has done preliminary editing. (Chris read a draft manuscript and paid some nice compliments to OCC in the Foreword.)
EVP Note: JV and Norm are completing the final editing and layout independently of the Special Publications Committee to allow more time spent on On Call above.
Techniques of Cave Conservation and Restoration
Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Editors
Progress: Good progress is being made in the final preparation of this book by the editors.
Plans: We expect to begin production August. Our target is to have the book completed in time for the Fall cave mangement symposium in Arizona.
Problems: None
Cave Rescue Manual
Members of the NCRC
Progress: A new editor, Jeff Parnell, has taken over this manual and is preparing an outline. It is intended that this manual will follow closely the instructional materials used in the NCRC seminars.
Plans: We are awaiting an outline and list of authors.
Problems: Too early to tell.
Caves
A Children’s Book
Ronal Kerbo
Progress, Plans, Problems
No report received on this book.
Underground Wonders—
Visiting Caves on Public Lands
Ronal Kerbo
Progress, Plans, Problems
No report received. It appears to be on hold for now.
US Cave Management Manual
Members of the NSS Cave Management Section
Progress: As reported earlier, the new editor, Thomas Lera, has been unsuccessful in reviving this book. Most of the likely authors––having just contributed to the Werker’s Cave Conservation and Restoration book—seem unwilling at this time to work on a more general cave management book.
Plans and Problems: For now, it seems that the book is back in limbo.
Caves of the Guadalupe Mountains
By Michael Queen
Progress, Plans, Problems.
No report or materials were received.
––David McClurg, Chairman, Special Publications Committee
Louise D. Hose (Editor)
Department of Environmental and Chemical Sciences
1 University Drive
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
Work: (714) 997-6994
Fax: (714) 532-6048
E-Mail: Hose@chapman.edu
James A. Pisarowicz (Production Editor)
Wind Cave National Park
South Dakota, SD 57747
Home: (605) 673-5582
Work: (605) 745-4600
E-Mail: pisarowi@gwtc.net
BOARD OF EDITORS
Steven Taylor (Life Sciences)
George Huppert (Conservation)
Andrea Futrell (Exploration)
Ira D. Sasowsky (Earth Sciences/Journal Index)
Marion O. Smith (Social Sciences)
Patty Jo Watson (Anthropology)
Ernst Kastning (Book Reviews)
ADVISORY BOARD
David Ashley
Rane Curl
Andy Flurkey
Doug Medville
John Mylroie
Diana Northup
Art Palmer
Elizabeth White
Progress: Volume 61, number 1 (April issue) was mailed in late April to all members. It carried an advertisement for Karstologia, an exchange deal worked out by Dave Irving. The Journal received no revenue for the deal.
We are currently working on the August issue. Without a special issue, we have an actual shortage of articles for the Journal, which will help the budget but needs to be addressed to maintain the Journal’s status. We anticipate the v. 63, n. 2 being mailed on time in late July.
Plans: The Journal staff and advisory board continue discussions on various issues related to electronic publishing and the internet. We recently established a policy on website referencing and continue to consider future web-based publishing of the Journal, in part or full.
Bert Ashbrook kindly volunteered to do the Journal’s advertising accounts and receipts. His willingness to help may provide catalysis for future advertising in the Journal.
Bernie Szukalski has volunteered to serve as a Guest Editor for a Special Issue on Geographic Information Systems and Karst/Cave Resources. He is currently seeking additional funding to cover the necessary addition of color that the issue will require. If the funding comes through, we anticipate making it another pull-out book, a la the Kartchner and Guads special issues. The GIS issue is scheduled for v. 64, n. 1 and will avoid the page number conflicts of previous "books-within-the-journal."
Problems: Apparently, a clitch in NSS Trak caused the program to incorrectly report the number of mailing labels by 2,000 too many and no one caught the problem until the printer sent 2,000 extra copies of the Journal to the office. Dave Irving estimates the cost of the inadvertent overrun between $721 to $800. I assume the office will update the program to avoid the problem in the future. Fortunately, the April issue was slim and the August issue will also be slim, so the Journal may be able to absorb the cost without a problem.
I continue to feel that six years is enough time for one person to edit this publication. While I enjoy the job, I expect that there are others who would infuse new energy into the publication and, perhaps, aggressively move it forward into the new era of more electronic-based publishing. I urge the EVP to continue to scout for a new editor and I’m prepared to transition the job over when a strong and willing candidate is identified.
Dave Bunnell (Editor)
PO Box 879
Angels Camp, CA 95222
Phone: (408) 338-3853
E-mail: dbunnell@caltel.com
Conservation
David Jagnow
PO Box 93398
Albuquerque, NM 87199-3398
(505) 332-4889 (Tel. & FAX)
david@jagnow.com
Down through the Decades
Peri Frantz
frantz@netcom.com
In the Media
Bill Klimack
3805A Furman Smith Road
Columbia, SC 29206-5336
(803) 790-0947
BKlimack@aol.com
Technology reviews
Scott Shaw
sshaw@hiwaay.net
Newsletter Review
Jay Kennedy
3638 Fifth St. Apt 214
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)343-1855
caver_doc@hotmail.com
Spelean spotlight
Paul Steward
pddb@juno.com
Techniques & Safety
Bill Cuddington
109 Beacon St.
Moulton, AL, 35650
(205) 974-4177
MIRIAMBL@aol.com
Virtual Caving
Gary Gibula
ggibula@aol.com
Progress: I have a small base of articles on hand and numerous articles promised. I expect to dig up more at the convention.
Plans: There's a Colorado caving special issue in the works for October, otherwise the usual assortment of materials. I've been soliciting more exploration articles and several are promised in the near future. I've made photographs of Gary Soule's grotto patch collection and will plan to run some or all in color.
Problems: None that I know of. A couple of issues came out later than expected and I've spoken with the printer about keeping things timely so the issues are received near the beginning of the month. I've not yet heard anything about my FY 01-02 budget, but hopefully allowance was made for the postal increases that took effect in January. I can't get to it on the website.
Maureen Handler
PO Box 3802
Cleveland TN.37320
Home: (423) 614-7077
Email: mhandler@cdc.net
Committee Members:
Vince Kappler (Board Information)
Evelyn Bradshaw (Grotto Information)
Bill Bussey (Section Information)
David Taylor (Survey Information)
Office Staff (Members Listing)
Al Romero (Project and Study Group Information)
Jim Wilbanks
Progress: The MM is 99% complete and will be off to the printers this coming week. A little more on schedule than last year.
Plans: Will contact NSS office before convention to line up the bulk mailer and send the address labels.
Problems: An out of town contract caused some delay this year. Unanticipated and unavoidable due to the fact that I have to make a living. Another good learning experience.
Ray Keeler
NSS EVP
22354 N. 68th Drive
Glendale, AZ. 85310-5239
H (623) 561-2917
W (602) 822-3954
rkeeler@pcslink.com
The following permissions/contacts/non-permissions were made for reprinting NSS copyrighted materials and release of NSS Member information:
| WHO ORG. TYPE ORGANIZATION |
REPRINT PERMISSION STATUS |
REQUEST/REASON FOR REQUEST |
| Bill McCleave
Nova Chemicals |
In Progress For Profit 4/4/01 |
Request for
use of On Rope Figures for EMS and rescue. I am
requesting $2 royalty per figure used. 6/27/01: No contact from Mr. McCleave since my writing to him on 4/4/01 |
| Debbie
Pershan Click Magazine, a children’s non-fiction publication |
Permission
received from author 4/25/01 |
Request for an article from the 1999 Speleo Digest titled "Dressing for Your Cave Trip." By Kim Metzgar. |
| Sandor
Hopenwasser NRO |
Granted 4/27/01 for portions where NSS had credit |
Niagara Frontier Grotto hosting the Spring 2001 NRO Convention in May at Covleskill NY. Requested permission to reproduce parts of the 1991 publication "Guide to Caves and Karst of the Northeast" |
| Courneen
Michael Collins OCRWM TIC |
Granted 5/12/01 |
Request to
make photocopies of the materials for the Yucca Mountain
Project's Technical Information Center (TIC), a
Department of Energy (DOE)'s technical library. Microclimate Study of Kartchner Caverns, Arizona |
| George Dasher | Waiting on
status of some photos 5/19/01 |
Publications
of the WVASS Pendleton County Bulletin Requests in three categories. Two granted on 5/15/01 |
| Barbara Smith Colorado Grotto NSS 30543 |
Granted 6/4/01 | request for list all awards and fellowships honored to those CO cavers per decade 1950-2000. |
| John Keough vice chairman VCA |
Waiting on
list of articles requested 6/5/01 |
1950s and 1960s NSS articles for the Fall NRO regional |
| Charles Maus | Completed
through NSS web access 6/6/01 |
Request for list of recipients of an NSS award to gather signatures for a plaque. |
| Megan bunkoutwest@yahoo.com |
Completed
through NSS web access 6/11/01 |
Request for NSS Membership list to contact local grotto for caving trip. She was sent to the web with "where to find it" instructions and has made contact. |
| Caroline
Widner LEARN |
Granted 6/14/01 |
email list of the NSS members. 80% of their members are NSS members. |
| George Dasher WVaSS Pendleton Co Bulletin |
Granted 7/16/01 |
Various photos and figures from NSS publications from out of the NSS archives. |