Attachment C-1

NSS Cave Preserves Reports

MCFAILS CAVE PRESERVE QUARTERLY REPORT -- February 2003

(No Report received this period)

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SHELTA CAVE PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

Progress
The bat-friendly perimeter fence for the Shelta preserve has been erected. Creative Containments Inc. of Huntsville installed the fence over a two and one half week period. The sturdy steel picket fence is a commercial product from Ameristar and is their Aegis II industrial three-rail invincible model. The fence enclosed a 380-foot perimeter, and is ten feet tall. The doorway in the fence is four feet wide.

Irregular terrain where the fence was unable to follow the contour has been filled in with either pickets set in mortar, or has had quarry rock cemented in mortar placed in those areas. While the fence is not insurmountable, the design and intent is that it should not be broached. The balance of the conundrum regarding security, liability and biological concerns is once again in favor of the biology.

Thanks once again to all the cavers who supported this project through financial and moral support. The project would not have been possible without this assistance. Pledges and grants in the amount of $47,500 were received for the project. Of this amount over $26,000 was contributed from individuals, grottos, regions, conservancies and support from the National Speleological Society and the National Speleological Foundation. Way to go NSS members!

Gary Bush updated the Shelta Preserve web page to reflect the fence construction.

Plans
We need to obtain reimbursement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, Bat Conservation International, and Alabama Department of Conservation. I have asked Dave Irving to bill Fish and Wildlife. A final report is being submitted to Bat Conservation International for their remaining installment.

The existing barrier gate at Shelta will be removed in February 2003. We will also inspect the 30-foot tall stairway for structural integrity and determine at that time whether this stairway needs to be replaced and whether railings need to be put at this entrance for safety.

Permanent “No Trespassing” signs will be erected inside the perimeter fence. Informational signs will also be drafted, manufactured, and installed.

Additional landscaping will be done to the property. We have begun to remove the ivy, which has taken over the grounds and trees. Eventually, we hope to have all the ivy removed from the property. The path from the NSS office to the cave entrance will be re-routed in favor of a more gradual slope so that we may better control erosion near the fence and the sinkhole entrances. We are also exploring the possibility of seeding the property with native wildflowers and possibly planting bat-friendly trees such as shagbark hickory.

Once the barrier gates are removed and photo documented, an article describing the work will be written for the NSS news.

The Shelta Preserve committee will take a well-deserved break from activities!

Problems
We have not yet received funding nor have a final contract with the State of Alabama. We will bill the State of Alabama once the contract is finalized with the signature of the new Governor. A change in administration has delayed this funding by several months.

Respectfully Submitted,
Paul Meyer
Manager, Shelta Cave Preserve Committee

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JOHN GUILDAY PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

Progress
The annual Trout Rock Conservacation was held on September 7, 2002. No unusual maintenance was necessary. On the mapping front, Carl Amundson has undertaken the task of digitally enhancing the maps of the major caves on the property. The maps for New Trout and Trout are completed. Hamilton may be somewhat more challenging.

Plans
The annual bat count will be held on the second weekend in February. This year’s count will include Trout Cave. Craig Stihler of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources is expected to assist.

Problems
Once again a cave-for-pay group has been found to be using the caves. Inner Quest from Purcellville, Virginia, has been advised in the past that commercial use of the property is not permitted. Nevertheless, a group from there, purportedly consisting of guides in training was discovered on the property. We have requested Joel Stephenson to advise them that further use will be grounds for trespassing charges, with a copy provided to the Pendleton County (WV) Sheriff's office.

Respectfully submitted,
David West
Preserve Manager

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KINGSTON SALTPETER CAVE PRESERVE COMMITTEE REPORT -- February 2003

(No Report received this period)

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BARTON HILL KARST PRESERVE COMMITTEE REPORT -- February 2003

Progress
Considerable work has been done on the Gage Cabin. Thanks go to Jay Siemion and Aaron Cox. They got Syracuse Outing club and a venture scout troop (respectively) to provide materials and manpower. Musty, ratty, crappy wallboard has been ripped out and the building insulated. The sills under the building have been replaced. A local caver has agreed to make a new wood-burning stove. Most people dislike (a mild representation) the current stove. A new trail has been flagged around the north side of the property.

Plans:
Work will continue on the cabin. The top of the ladder will be replaced. The few places on the new trail that require cutting will be done. More fencing.

Problems
I had wanted to replaced the top of the ladder with structural plastic lumber. (I do not want to use pressure treated wood as I feel it will pollutant the groundwater and it is nasty stuff.) Finding such material has proven difficult. My next plan is to investigate locust 2x4s. Failing that we will use oak again, but it will need redoing in 10 to 15 years. Unknowns continue to ride ATVs in inappropriate places. These will be fenced this year.

Thom Engel

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WARREN'S CAVE REPORT -- February 2003

(No Report received this period)

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DONALD R. RUSSELL CAVE PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

(No Report received this period)

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SCHOHARIE CAVERNS PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

A quiet winter, deep, deep snow and cold, cold temperatures.

All's well except for one tiny incident where a group inexperienced in the use of wood stoves decided to store firewood on the TOP of the burning stove. It nearly burned down The Cabin and killed 20 or so folks, but it didn't. It did, however, point out the need for one more rule - All groups must bring with them a fire extinguisher since we can't keep one there. It seems that rules are made to protect people from their worst enemy-themselves, and the Committee certainly has been making a bunch of them recently.

Bob Addis
Chairman

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ALACHUA SINK PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

The past several months at the Alachua Sink Preserve has seen diving conditions from good to bad. The system has not been divable for the past two months, with basin visibility limited to inches guides were unable to take in divers. Presently Alachua is green with visibility nearly 60 feet and conditions are expected to improve over the next few weeks pending dry weather. The parking lot was recently mowed in preparation for up-coming tours and the spring workshop. Some of the nature trails were mowed to allow for surface tours of the unique flora existing in the Alachua Sink basin and flood plain. Mowing of the camping area and the rest of the nature trails will take place over the next few weekends. Cindy Butler was elected Chairperson of the Alachua Sink Committee following the resignation of Jim Taylor (Jim moved from the area). Jim Taylor will remain an active guide, secretary and liaison to the NSS.

The Spring meeting is set for February 22, presently issues to be discussed are as follows:

1. Getting volunteers to assist with the rest of the mowing and clean up.

2. Setting up a guide system for the Spring Workshop.

3. Finishing the cave survey and data.

4. Repairing or rebuilding the steps.

5. Establishing a diver use database.

The Florida Springs Conference hosted by National Geographic diver and photographer Wes Skiles will be at Alachua Sink on February 5th for a presentation. Speakers, guides, parking, and surface tours, have all been established. The City of Alachua has also been notified and will participate in the conference presentation as well.

Jim C. Taylor
Manager, Alachua Sink Preserve

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TYTOONA CAVE PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

PLANS:
* To add one more additional wooden step at the top of the sinkhole path (there are presently steps and fencing in place).

* To physically retrace the property boundary lines with the help of Paul Weigman (past property steward when the Western Pa. Conservancy owned the site). We have found about half of the pins and Paul has offered to show exactly where the other ones are located.

* We plan to look over the dive rules for any possible confusing language.

* A dive past the first sump for the purpose of photos and or video.

* On going property maintenance and inspection when needed.

* Keep the kiosk stocked with brochures and cave register serviced.

* To investigate "no trespassing signs" installed on the property by one of the previous owners

PROGRESS:
* Paul Weigman (past WPC steward), took me on a walking tour of the property boundary. Again, only half the property pins were located, but Paul assured me that all were intact when he was the property steward during the 1980's. Due to the heavy fall foliage, he suggested that I look again for the pins during a winter light snow. He feels that if the pins are present, they should show well above the ground after the foliage is gone. He was also impressed at how well the property is being kept since the property acquisition to the NSS.

* The CCUS cave register book was changed about 5 times from December 2001 to January 2003. A rough estimate by looking at the register books shows that perhaps 571 persons visited Tytoona during that time period.

* Due to a sudden unexpected change in weather (and early winter), we could not add the additional wooden step at the top of the sink. Hopefully, this can be completed when spring arrives.

* I contacted the person name on the no trespassing signs found posted on the Tytoona property. His name is Barry Vance and claims that he didn't put the signs there but rather a friend of his probably did who used to post the property for him. He apologized and said that the signs would be removed.

* The Tytoona Committee sat down to a lengthy meeting to go over any issues needing attention. Confusing language in the dive rules were clarified among other items. The committee felt that the current management is doing a good job.

* We continue to monitor the cave and property on a weekly to bi weekly basis.

* Cave dive went well including a few photographs shot. Photographs did not show anything unusual or any signs of vandalism past the first sump.

PROBLEMS:
(Note: Overall nothing major to report except for the few small incidences listed below.)

* Another concrete barrel (parking barrier) was found knocked over which we put back in place. We must have some pretty strong kids in Pennsylvania since the barrels weigh perhaps 800 lb. each.

* We had an incident concerning the Geo-Cache people and Tytoona. Geo cache is a hobby on the Internet, where people hide token treasure then publicize it on a website. Then they get out their GPS units and try to find it. Sounds harmless, unfortunately, someone decided that Tytoona Cave would be a good spot and put a cache in the cave plus the coordinates and a map on how to find it on the web. The geocache people did this with out even trying to get permission. Since I knew the fact that the NSS doesn't allow geocache in its caves (for good reason), I immediately sent a note out to the geocachers that what they did was illegal, it would be removed and possible have the police investigate for any vandalism. I was appalled when I received a note saying that we should not remove the cache because some geocache member might tear the cave apart looking for it. To make a long story short, the cache was removed and (cave did not suffer any damage) eventually Tytoona was taken off the Geo Cache website. Of course this was not after I received some hate mail along with some great support mail. I have since met a few geocache people at Tytoona who were just visiting (no geocache hunting) and seemed very nice. In fact, they apologized for what happened because of a few in the membership. It seems like many organizations today, it only takes a few bad apples to make the rest look spoiled. I would strongly suggest that the NSS should put a disclaimer on the Cave Preserves webpage stating that "NO GEO CACHE" activities are allowed on NSS properties. This might help and advert other NSS cave preserves from going through the same dilemma.

Submitted by,
Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R)(FE)
Tytoona Cave Preserve Manager & Chairman.

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WELLS CAVE PRESERVE REPORT -- February 2003

On December 22nd 2002, individuals interested in working with the Wells Cave Management Preserve Committee gathered at the cave entrance and NSS property at 10 A.M. Those present represented both the cavers and landowners. The landowners were very interested in the boundaries of the property, but due to the lack of a signed deed and property plat (currently being finalized by the NSS) little could be accomplished. Two boundary pins were located and a rough property outline was described.

I elected to remain interim manager of the property and committee chairman until we became better organized and had more people attending the meetings. My mother, Jewell Florea, will serve as site-manager in absentia due to her proximity to the property.

Several items noted as being important tasks to accomplish within the next year. We will need committee members to ask the grottos (BGG, GCG, COG, and DUG) for support for these endeavors.

1) Contract a survey of the property if one has not been done recently or has not been already done during the deed transfer.

2) Establish a permanent parking area. The exact location of this will be determined once the official property plat is acquired. We will need approximately 1 11-ton truck of gravel. At $15.00 per ton, it calculates that will mean $165 dollars. We will also need parking boundaries (such as railroad ties). The amount necessary will depend upon location and design. Jim Perkins has offered to draft a potential parking area. This will be done by the end of February.

3) Construct and establish an information kiosk with information about the property, safe caving, the NSS, the Kentucky Cave Law, and trip cards.

4) Establish a trail between the parking lot and the cave entrances. This may require steps.

We will have a second meeting later this spring. Please encourage to others to attend. We need support!

Attendees:

Respectfully Submitted,
Lee Florea
Interim Manager
Wells Cave Preserve