Submitted by Steve Ormeroid, AVP avp@caves.org Feb.28, 2007
The Department of the AVP consists of 4 Divisions and two Commissions. Contained within are 19 committees and various subcommittees. Copies of the actual 3-P reports will be made available as requested.
Time has flown since I first stepped into the position of AVP at the Michigan Convention. It was an immediate uphill learning curve with the many committees contained within this position. I have been very fortunate to have such a large group of dedicated volunteers working in my Department. I feel that this Department carries the responsibility of so many of the mission statements of the NSS. Conservation Division and Cave Management is the absolute essence of why we should exist. But without the Education Division, we would not have the ability to communicate our messages to the general public or to help prepare future generations of cavers. An organization such as ours also needs to fulfill responsibilities back to the membership. The Convention Division certainly fills that need.
Coordinating these Divisions and attempting to keep all the positions filled with qualified volunteers requires the bulk of time as AVP. It is a job I have enjoyed and will continue to work not only until the end of my term, but with a new AVP for what ever transition time may be required. This certainly is not a final report from me, but to help the Board to understand the workload involved and to aid in the choice of a future Administrative Vice President.
My plan after Convention 2007 is to continue to be involved with the NSS. At this time I have not made any specific decision where I may contribute, for there are many areas that always need another helping hand. I will say I’m certain that with the size of the AVP Department, I would best serve the NSS by staying involved with one of the Divisions under the AVP.
I would also like to say again to our many fine Directors to get involved with the Officers to help with specific tasks. Your responsibilities as Directors should include aiding and assisting the Officers to help fill positions, become involved with specific committees, and provide feed back from the general membership. We as officers are "selected" to manage the NSS. We need full involvement from the Board to complete our given tasks. Please encourage your fellow Grotto members and cavers to volunteer and help the NSS.
I’m pleased to report that Convention bids and proposals are either in place or coming in for out to 2012. It may be possible that the NSS will have firm Convention locations for the next five years as soon as this year's Indiana Convention. It is important to repeat an earlier message, that with the trends of the economy and the problems associated with finding locations that meet the past typical standards for Conventions, that the nature or style of Conventions may need to be revised. Hopefully having firm bids until 2012 will give the Board and the Convention Division time to analyze possible changes and still satisfy the needs of the organization and membership.
I have an attachment with reports from the various Conservation Task Forces (CTF) courtesy of the fine efforts of our new CTF Coordinator, Jon Beard and reports from various Nature Conservancy’s (thanks to Heather Garland) regarding their efforts in karst and cave protection. These groups demonstrate the dedication and efforts of a large group of people working for cave conservation. For the sake of paper, I will not have these attachments printed for the meeting, but they will be available on the web.
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Division Chiefs werks@zianet.com
NSS News—NSS News 2007 Conservation Issue is complete and will appear in March. Special emphasis is given to youth cave conservation efforts across the U.S. and in Costa Rica. The butterfly vandalism at Cave Without a Name in Texas is also featured. Youth emphasis for this issue evolved from an enthusiastic and surprising discussion that erupted during the Conservation Tuesday talks at the Bellingham NSS Convention. The NSS needs to grow and keep new members. The future resides with new blood, and the benefits of training and tutoring youth and college groups are emphasized through the 2007 Conservation Issue.
Speleothem Trade —Several NSS Members have shown tremendous motivation and have successfully addressed speleothem sales at gem shows and internet auctions, however, reports of increasing speleothem displays and sales at the 2007 Tucson Gem show are appalling.
The responsibility to address this recurring issue resides with all NSS members. However, the NSS, as the premier caving organization, needs to develop coordinated strategies to fight this battle.
We need to find and support a group of dedicated individuals who will monitor the speleothem trade scene, develop appropriate communication strategies and responses, promote the protection of speleothems, and spread the educational word in the right circles.
A few NSS cavers who are savvy about inhibiting these sales have come forward, but they are not in proper position to launch the promotional/public relations/ community-based gem show effort needed. We need a dedicated task force to carry through with addressing speleothem sales through show authorities and community event planners.
Since Tucson hosts one of the world’s largest annual gem shows, and since this Board meeting is in Arizona, we are looking for a caver from this region to step up to the task of taking the lead and pushing the effort with background assistance from several savvy gem sales mentors.
(An International Committee is also working on the global problem through the IUCN/WCPA Task Force on Caves and Karst, and this is an opportunity to participate in that international Task Force.)
Convention—Send abstracts for Conservation and Management papers and for Restoration Forum presentations to werks@zianet.com
Merideth A. Hildreth, Coordinator planning@zianet.com
Plans:
The Partnership Building Forum is moving forward on implementing
plans established in a planning document presented at its first
meeting held in August 2006. The PBF is exploring the possibility
of hosting workshops for developers and planners in conjunction
with future NSS National Conventions.
Progress:
The Partnership Building Forum submitted an article to the NSS
News Conservation Issue (March 2007) to inform NSS membership of
its existence and purpose, and to invite NSS member participation
and input.
The Partnership Building Forum is in communication with groups already working with developers in karst regions and gathering information these groups have already generated:
o Kriste Lindberg, Chairman of the NSS Education Committee, is a member of the Bloomington Environmental Commission and interfaces with developers and planners to encourage provisions for green(er) subdivision design and karst protection.
o Mike Walsh, Director of the Texas Cave Conservancy, works directly with several developers to protect caves. Under contracts with developers, the Texas Cave Conservancy manages and maintains caves in development communities for reasonable monthly fees. Under the contracts, developers set aside caves found on development sites, gate the caves, and allocate green space around the cave entrance and on the surface ground above the cave for parks and trails.
o Walsh is compiling a list of urbanized and urbanizing counties in karst areas facing heavy land development.
o John Pearson was recently elected to the Cave Conservancies of the Virginias Board. The board is planning to develop a new brochure that will target developers and will be made available to the NSS PBF.
o Jesse Richardson, an attorney in northern Virginia, is coordinating a series of conferences to educate developers about working in karst regions. The Virginia Cave Board reports, "Mr. Richardson is continuing to organize and present the "Growing Communities on Karst" conference series. Conferences have been held in Shepherdstown and Lewisburg, West Virginia. Conferences are planned for Northern Virginia and Frederick County during spring 2007. The conferences are designed to help local governments apply alternative planning, design, and engineering techniques on karst and other sensitive lands so they can better achieve water-friendly, economically sustainable growth."
Bernard Szukalski, Chairman, bszukalski@esri.com
ESRI Cave/Karst Newsletter #12 was published in July.
ESRI Cave and Karst GIS SIG was held at the ESRI User Conference. Despite conflicts with the NSS Convention 24 people attended.
Presentations were made covering GIS data models and leveraging new ArcGIS representations for karst cartography. Presenters were Aaron Addison (Washington University, St. Louis) and Rhonda Glennon (ESRI).
Bill Elliot and the Missouri Department of Conservation received an ESRI Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award. The official announcement can be found at: http://www.esri.com/sag/index.html
Processed a software grant request for the Florida Speleological Survey.
Streamlined the cave and karst conservation grant program a bit, so the approval process should go much more quickly.
Would like to establish a "standard GIS software grant" for ArcView, 3D Analyst, and Spatial Analyst for all Cave Conservancies. Any ideas?
Submitted a paper entitled "The Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System: Developing a GIS decision support tool for cave and karst management and conservation in Bermuda." For the Kater Conference in Vienna, Austria this fall. The paper has been accepted. My co-author on the paper is Dr. AnnieGlasspool Ph.D., Bermuda Biodiversity Project Leader.
Coordinating efforts on the underwater survey of Bermuda Caves with the Cambrian Foundation trip there in early November. This protocol will serve to coordinate sporadic underwater and dry cave survey efforts, and ensure that the information can be ultimately incorporated in the Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System GIS.
Attended CRF BOD meeting held at Lava Beds National Monument. I was re-elected to the Board, and also elected Secretary.
Prepared the 2007 budget proposal for ESRI’s Cave and Karst Program at the end of 2006. It’s been accepted and funded.
ESRI Cave/Karst Newsletter #13 is now under review, and should be emailed by the end of February.
Bill Elliot’s pod cast is now published on the ESRI web site. It’s an excellent pod cast and covers quite a bit about GIS and its use in cave conservation by Bill and the MO Dept. of Conservation. The pod cast can be listened to at: http://www.esri.com/news/podcasts/audio/speaker/william_elliot.mp3
Bill and MODOC received a Special Achievement in GIS from ESRI last year.
Approved funding for ESRI to become a sponsor of the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium.
Approved ESRI cave and karst conservation grants for the Caves of Tabasco Project, Hawaii Speleological Survey, and Florida Cave Survey. Total value for all three grants is approximately: $30,000.
Published GIS Best Practices brief for caves and karst, featuring several articles covering cave and karst GIS applications. Would like to get updated papers for next revision. http://www.esri.com/showcase/best-practices/index.html
Have contacted ICS 2009 organizers regarding ESRI sponsorship.
John Pearson, Chairman jpearson@rcc.com
We thank John Pearson for chairing Save-the Caves Fundraising and Conservation Grants. He has received several new grant applications and is progressing on awarding grants and creating a workable structure for the new NSS Conservation Grants Program.
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator, cs.jones@verizon.net
Mike Dale, Graphic Design, miked@backpacker.com
Plans: To develop region-specific cave life brochures,
as a joint project with the NSS Biology Section
Progress: Dave Culver and Horton Hobbs of the NSS Biology Section are working on the second draft for Appalachian region cave environments. The goal is to print the brochure in the next fiscal year.
Problems: None
Rick & Faye Bowersox Co-Chairmen
321 Pinecliff Dr
Las Vegas, Nevada 89145-5259
Phone: 702-242-6995
Fax: 702-242-6916
lavabeds@cox.net
Progress:
2006: I have closed out the financial issues with the 2006 convention.
2007: I have been in contact with the JSS liaison Bill Greenwald and the schedule is quickly taking shape for the Indiana convention.
o The JSS budget for the 2007 convention will be completed by the end of March.
o JSS has selected its vendors for providing services and products for this year’s convention.
o The JSS educational programs for convention has been completed and reviewed and approved by the JSS staff.
o All surface venues now on the schedule will be visited in March and checked out.
o Our regular program of repelling and ascending will be part of the vertical program this year. Four complete ascending units (made for training and adjustable from young children to older teens) will again be made available to the JSS and remain available to the committee on a yearly bases for JSS activities.
o I have (personally) purchased several new ascending units and they will be at the disposal of the JSS this year.
I have been in contact with the (presumed) Convention Chair for the 2008 convention and lines of communication have been established.
o We have made arrangements for a planning meeting during the 2007 convention.
o A liaison has been requested to work with the JSS.
I have been in contact with the 2009 ICS/NSS Convention Organizing Committee Chair and several of his staff and have made my first planning trip to Kerrville, Texas.
o A building has been assigned for our use.
o An initial budget has been created and submitted.
o A management plan has been created for the ICS.
o A list of activities and locations to visit has been started.
o An intensive educational program is being planned with enough fun built in to stop most adults dead in their tracks.
Plans:
I will formally name Edward C. Kehs Jr. NSS# 31186 as Assistant Director of the Junior Speleological Society Committee.
o Mr. Kehs has been with the committee since the Daily, West Virginia Convention in 2000.
I will formally name Steven L. Deveny NSS# 45073 (FE) as Director of Education for the Junior Speleological Society Committee.
o Mr. Deveny has been with the committee since the Porterville, California Convention in 2003.
o Activities will be expanded again to meet demand as needed during the convention.
Planning for the 2008 convention will commence as soon as a site is selected.
Planning for the 2009 ICS/NSS Convention will continue with another trip planned to the Kerrville area this spring.
Roy Vanhoozer, RVanhoo@aol.com
Rick Williams, Treasurer
Short Term Goals: Formation cleaning and trail tread repair in the Frozen Niagara section.
Long Term Goals: Continue working with the National Park Service (NPS) and other local cave owners to accomplish restoration projects for the betterment of the karst environment.
Project Updates: The camp has completed all the goals laid out
in the current Proposal and Agreement with the NPS. The camp
is in a transition period, changing from the long-term, labor
intensive projects of the past few years to more short-term,
technical projects such as cave and formation repair and
clean-up. Camp volunteers have identified 12 possible future
restoration projects and submitted the list to the NPS for
consideration.
A new website on the NSS server is being used with good success
for the interactive sign-up of volunteers.
Problems: Camp attendance remains high, but will have to be managed in accordance with NPS goals and request for volunteers. The camp is currently limited to 45 participants by agreement with the NPS. This number is subject to change.
Jonathan B. Beard, Coordinator, mokanman@att.net
NSS Conservation Task Forces are created to focus on local and regional level conservation issues. CTFs may be formed to address any cave or karst concern on public or private property. Whether a single cave or an entire region, a situation requiring secrecy or publicity—if you are involved in cave and/or karst conservation projects, your work may benefit from CTF designation. Following are status reports from some of the NSS CTFs.
Progress: Jon has attempted contact with all the CTFs with request for activity summaries. Those he has received are compiled in an attachment to this report
Heather R. Garland, hgarland@TNC.ORG
Please see attachment for reports.
Amy M. Bern, Division Chief, NSS #42786
12722 W. Virginia Ave
Lakewood, CO 80228
303-763-5097
amybern@juno.com
Progress:
Education Grant Requests and Approvals
o West Noble School Corporation-APPROVED
o Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology- IN REVIEW
Kriste Lindberg (Chairman)
2354 E. Winding Brook Cir
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-339-7210
lindberg@kiva.net
Progress:
Presented karst education programs, including Caves: Life Beneath the Forest (cavebiota.com) and partnership building to 2nd Annual Cave and Karst Conservancy Forum, Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society annual convention, Environmental Education Association Indiana. West Lafayette/Tippecanoe County Parks and Recreation.
Attended Hoosier Association of Science Teachers annual conference and hosted a booth to support karst education.
Provided articles for NSS News conservation issue: NSS EEC update, 2006 IKC update, Caves: Life Beneath the Forest project, and Partnership Building Forum (contributor).
A proposed bill is now before legislators regarding designating the Indiana Bat as the Official State Bat of Indiana.
Completed Bloomington, Indiana karst ordinance. See: www.bloomington.in.gov/planning
Organized a tour of a commercial cave, Marengo Cave, for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, including discussion on karst education.
Started coordinating meetings for NSS CON 2007: Education Division poster session and meeting, Project Underground workshop and Board meeting.
Started brainstorming integration of NSS EEC with colleagues, partners, and others.
Started revising NSS EEC website.
Started working on integrating national and state standards.
Plans:
The premiere for Caves: Life Beneath the Forest will be held on March 23, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana and feature PU activities, the film, meet the producer and scientists, and reception. Teacher packets will also be provided.
Create series for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, including trips to commercial caves to learn about karst conservation, including land use. (Marengo Cave)
Hold meetings at NSS CON 2007: Education Division poster session and meeting, PU workshop and Board meeting.
Contact and brainstorm on integration of NSS EEC with more colleagues, partners, and others.
Continue revising NSS EEC website.
Continue to work on integrating national and state standards.
Continue to work with Partnership Building Forum (development group).
Create brochure.
Hold more state park weekend cave education events, perhaps go national.
Work on Caves: Life Beneath the Forest project, including an EPA Environmental Education Grant and other grants to include in the project, PU activities and more, more sponsors, more links to website, integration into state standards, and so on.
Consider including volunteer value calculations
Recruit more help and delegate.
Problems:
None... yet!
Pat Bingham (Chairman)
No report.
Kurt Waldron, Chairman, 49042 RE
3465 Solomons Island Road
Huntingtown, Maryland 20639
Work: 301-669-3581
Cell: 443-756-5303
keystrokeaero@hotmail.com
Progress:
I have recently taken on the position and I am in the process of learning what needs to be done. At this time I have completed writing a 2 or three part submission which is suitable for publication in the NSS news. I am in the process of reviewing the safety and techniques section of the website to determine ways in which it can be improved. I have begun to look for people who might also be willing to write articles for the NSS News on this topic.
Plans:
I anticipate having an article for the NSS news at least every other month, if not more often. I would like to begin making improvements to my section of the NSS Web site.
Problems:
I am new to this position and I am still learning. I believe that with a little time I should be able to make significant contributions to this area.
Kriste Lindberg (EEC Chairman, PU Board Rep.)
Held PU workshop at Natural Resources Education Center (Indiana Department of Natural Resources).
Held an expanded PU workshop on "Cave Creations" for Bloomington Parks and Recreation which included Caves: Life Beneath the Forest and the completed Barefoot Cave activity.
Secured a "grant" of materials from Black Lumber of Bloomington, Indiana for construction of "Barefoot Cave."
Created a new PU workshop on "Going Batty" for Bloomington Parks and Recreation.
Started to revise website.
Completed education supplies inventory.
Chief position open
Kim Metzgar, Chairman kimmakc@aol.com
No Requests
John M. Wilson, Chairman, wilsonjml@msn.com
Buford Pruitt, Jr., Chairma,n bpruitt5@cox.net
Progress: The cave is closed for the winter, and will possibly not be re-visited until July or August depending on snowmelt.
Problems: None reported.
Plans: A caver is lined up to do an archaeological survey of the property this summer. Warm weather will also provide an opportunity to perform maintenance on fencing, gate and lock. Several photo trips are planned in prep for an article in the NSS News.
Progress: None reported.
Problems: The lawn mower used to maintain the grounds on SCNP, Barton Hill NP and McFails Cave NP is worn out and the management committees of those preserves would like to purchase a riding lawn mower costing up to $450.00. They are requesting $150.00 from the NSS to this end.
Plans: None reported.
Progress: Some large, nice ice formations currently exist inside the entrance of the cave. Visitation is low due to winter conditions, although this is expected to pick up when warmer months arrive. Management has inspected the property at least 18 times in 2006. The erosion protection wall seems to be holding up.
Problems: None reported
Plans: Tentative plans for 2007 include additional work on the erosion barrier and replacement or additional steps leading into the sinkhole.
Progress: McFails Cave is (closed) for the season.
Plans: Discussions were held with the owner of Wicke's Hole regarding the purchase of additional land. The owner indicated that they do not wish to sell at this time.
Problems: No problems to report.
Progress: Temperature monitors have been replaced in the cave and it appears the temperature of the cave is lower within the cave relative to the 1980s study. The committee is unaware of any reason for this. It is not thought that the dig has had an effect, as passage enlargement has been minimal. Study will continue. The increased numbers of Indiana bats continue to be observed, remaining in the obscure side passage. The Big-Eared bats observed during the Conservacation were not seen when the monitors were replaced.
Plans: The annual bat count will be conducted in early February, and this year will include Trout Cave. Work on the dig will continue as time permits.
Problems: None reported.
Progress: Water conditions for the most part were conducive to good diving. Sink basin water was clear for most of the quarter with basin visibility from 40 to 60 feet. Water conditions in the up-stream / down-stream passage were good to very good with visibility up to 80 feet, with some suspended particulates. Work has been started in the down stream section replacing parts of old gold line with new and re-tying and securing the line to keep it out of low, silty areas. This project will continue into 2007.
Problems: None reported.
Plans: There will be a spring meeting of guides and management (no date set at this time) to discuss up-coming projects: (1) Water sampling. Jim met with Pete Butt of Karst Environmental Services to set up materials, locations and sample testing. (2) Nature trails. Until 2001 there were several hundred yards of nature trails on the property. These need to be cleared and biological kiosks and markers installed. (3) Kiosks at the sinks edge. Plans for these have been developed and a materials list is available. We need to discuss work days and volunteers to complete the project.
(No report was received from the preserve manager, but I am submitting this brief report as I have some personal knowledge of it).
Progress: No progress has been made to re-locate vehicular access to the cave from the current dirt track that crosses at least two or three other properties. The cave continues to receive regular visitation from Florida cavers. Bats that are believed to be Southern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus s. subflavus) and Southeastern little brown bats (Myotis austroriparious) continue to be observed in very small numbers in the historic section near the entrance. The trees on the property continue to be used as a location for local cavers to perform SRT practice. FSS cavers recently used chain saws, machetes and other hand tools to make it easier for automobiles to access the cave without scratching up their paint. Most of this bushwhacking was on our neighbors’ properties.
Problems: The unimproved access road cannot be used by emergency vehicles, which have to be parked approximately 300-400 yards away from the cave entrance. Warrens Cave has been the site of several injuries and rescues in the past, probably more so than any other dry cave in Florida, so if another incident occurs in the future, rescue will be significantly hindered. The damage caused by Hurricanes Charlie and Francis two years ago, plus extensive mature pine tree death from woodborers and bark beetles as a result of long term drought, have changed the property’s landscape from a beautiful mixed pine and hardwood subtropical forest to one dominated by small, early-successional hardwoods and pines covered by a dense thicket of lianas. This reduces plant and animal wildlife diversity and makes it difficult to patrol the property and effect rescues.
Plans: None reported or known.
Progress: The status of the nature preserve is consistent with previous years. USFWS assessed the Ozark big-eared bats in December and found them in large numbers with no apparent decline in population. The site’s gray bats are doing well with evidence of growing guano piles. The previously reported vandalism of boundary signs has ceased.
Problems: None reported.
Plans: None reported.
Progress: Two new members were added to the management committee, Kevin and Shannon Glenn, and Dan Hills agreed to be the email liaison between NSS leadership and Larry. Several signs (no trespassing, hunting, fishing) were placed high on preserve trees. Fence repair was accomplished. Efforts continue to document the history of the cave, and artifacts associated with early use of the cave continue to be accumulated. Some trash was found and removed from the property. Many trees on the property have been recently killed by bark beetles and high winds. Additional lithic artifacts (prehistoric?) have been found on site, but there was no indication as to their disposition. The manager provided some information re KSC to an author currently preparing a book on the attractions of north Georgia.
Problems: Four trespasses were caught in the cave, but since they had evidently not caused any damage they were lectured and released.
Plans: No plans were reported.
Progress: This property is owned by the NSS and managed by the USFWS. Initially there were sightings of only a few Ozark big-eared bats (Corynorhynus townsendii ingens) in Crystal Cave on the property. Currently, after four years following construction of an entrance gate, Crystal Cave harbors the third largest known population of this endangered species! TROG members and USFWS manager Steve Hensley have built a bridge over a stream in order to safely access the cave. USFWS recently repaired a leaking pond (ed.: actually a reservoir?). A new road gate has been constructed to deter unauthorized vehicles from entering the property. A second gate has been constructed across the property’s access road on an intervening property lying between the main access road and the Potter Unit NP, This gate is also expected to increase control over site access.
Problems: Several campers that were being used as hunting camps by former owners have been burned down by vandals. USFWS has removed the remaining debris. Billy Howard’s internet access has ceased functioning, which has greatly hampered communications between him and the Nature Preserves Committee Chairman.
Plans: Billy plans to remedy his computer problems, and in the meantime we are to communicate with Jackie Davidson re the property.
.
Carol Tiderman, Division Chief ctider@us.ibm.com
Progress:
· Communicating with the confirmed 2007, 2009 & 2010 groups. Checking on their progress and passing along new information, filling requests for data, history and other materials and answering any questions.
· Working with groups planning on presenting bids to the board for 2008, 2011 (2 groups) & 2012
Plan:
· Attend convention committee planning meetings (any year's) whenever possible
· Continue working with confirmed groups
· Continue working with the Florida group planning to submit its bid for 2008
· Continue working with the Colorado & New Mexico groups planning on submitting a bid for 2011
· Continue working with groups who have expressed interest in hosting 2012
· Continue to solicit new host groups.
· Make site visits to proposed locations in Colorado & New Mexico when they are ready
· Make another site visit to the Florida site if the board directs me to do so
Problems:
No confirmed bid for 2008
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)
Jeff Good (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Roger Mortimer (Western Region Coordinator)
Bob Rodgers (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Steve Mosberg, 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)
Forrest Wilson (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)
Steve Hudson (Education Board Member)
Greg Moore (Education Board Member)
Susan Thrasher (Assistant to the National Coordinator)
Marc Tiritilli (Education Board Member/Curriculum Coordinator)
Kathy Welling (Recording Secretary)
Tony Smith (Assistant to the National Coordinator)
Progress:
NCRC winter meeting was held on Feb 3, 2007, at the Walker County Georgia 911 Center. Minutes are posted on the NCRC website.
Tony Smith has been appointed as an assistant to the National Coordinator to help with administrative functions.
The NCRC policies on national and regional seminars have been updated, and are posted to the website.
The NCRC Education Committee met November 18-19, 2006 and again on February 2, 2007, in Walker County Georgia. Several minor curriculum modifications are under consideration, but no major changes are anticipated for the 2007 calendar year.
Promotion for the 2007 National Cave Rescue Seminar has been initiated and registrations are starting to arrive. Details can be found on the NCRC website.
Plans:
The 2007 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar will occur June 16-23, 2007, in Salem Virginia. Harold and Nancy Chrimes are the event’s site coordinators. John and Michelle Punches are serving as registrars, and John is handling accounting.
The following regional seminars are being planned: South Central Region, Level 1 & 2 weeklong in February; Central Region, Orientations to Cave Rescue (OCRs) in May, August and September; Western Region, OCRs in May and October; Northeastern Region, OCRs in May and October; Eastern Region, OCRs in April and May; Southwestern Region, OCR in summer; Caribbean Region, OCRs in April, July and November; Southeastern Region, Level 1 modular in late spring; PNW Region, OCR in fall.
Problems:
Nothing of overwhelming significance.
Jay Jorden, Chairman jjorden@texoma.net
Current commission members: Gale Beach < raybeach@earthlink.net >; Tom Rea < tomrea@ccrtc.com >; John Wilson < wilsonjml@msn.com >; Aaron Atz < atz@netpointe.com >; Thomas Lera < frontier2@erols.com >
Progress:
In the months since the last report, the committee has continued
to work with various groups in fighting cave vandalism and
promoting the deterrence reward system. The Commission has been
in touch with the owners of Caverns of Sonora, Texas and helped
with media roll out offering the NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence
Reward. Prior to this report, the committee just received word of
$2,700 in fines levied against nine New Mexico youths for
entering a closed bat cave on a federal monument. The National
Park Service said the youths violated NPS regulations and federal
laws. It’s unclear if vandalism was involved. Commissioners
will be asked for their recommendation regarding this incident.
The commission is also monitoring two arrests following vandalism
at Wyandotte and Sieberts Caves at the O'Bannon Woods State Park
near Corydon, Indiana. Prosecution is apparently in the early
stages.
Problems:
None noted.
Plans:
The commission 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.
3-2-07