National Speleological Society, Inc.
Executive Vice President's Report

November 4, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, PUBLICATIONS

INTRODUCTION
(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE
(2) AAAS REP-BIOLOGY
(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY
(4) AGI DELEGATE
(5) U. S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(8) SPELEO DIGEST COMMITTEE
(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES
(11) NSS NEWS
(12) MEMBERS MANUAL COMMITTEE
(13) PERMISSION TO REPRINT
ATTACHMENT B-1

INTRODUCTION / SUMMARY

There are twelve committees, and publications, etc. in the Department of the Executive Vice President (EVP). A thirteenth item has been added here to cover permissions to reprint from NSS publications.

The Members Manual Committee will be looking for a budget increase due to cost overruns. Please see the committee report.

The reprinting of On Rope II was not completed until after the current inventory had expired. The Office was back logging the orders until their arrival. I have not heard any complaints to date on the delay.

The On Caves and Cameras draft contract is being reviewed. There is a question of how the copyright wording should be stated.

Additional funding of the Guad’s Journal special issue hit a big snag when my primary contact with the Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association quit with only one day’s notice and without informing me. We are still working on the addional funding. The Journal Editor, Louise Hose, and the other editors have been patient as we work through the problem. Please see the committee report.

(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE

Bill Putnam (Chairman)
1865 Eagle Summit Court
Lawrenceville GA 30043-6669

Phone: 770-822-0003
Fax: 770-682-5536
Cellular: 678-234-0566
Email: putnam@scci.org

Committee members:
Bill Cuddington
Diane Cousineau
George Dasher
John Ganter
John Gookin
Kris Green
Louise Hose
Dave Hughes
Ray Keeler
Buddy Lane
Jeff Parnell
Laura Putnam

Note: The make-up of the "committee" varies from issue to issue. These are the folks who helped with the 1996-1998 issue and/or are helping with the 1999 issue. They are the authors, contributors, reviewers, proofreaders, fact checkers, etc. and their help is invaluable.

Progress: I am on track for December publication of ACA 1999. I expect to have the manuscript done by the end of October and send it out for review in November. Space won't be as tight as in the last issue, so I plan to run a couple of feature articles on safety and techniques.

Lists of incident reports for 1999 and 2000 have been published on the ACA web page of the NSS site. That resulted in quite a number of new reports as well as additional reports on listed incidents, which helped fill in missing details. This supports my belief that the more information we publish, the more reports and information we will receive, enhancing the coverage and thus the value of ACA.

I have received several messages and questions about having the full text of ACA incident reports available on the web site. I feel that would be a great service to the caving community, and a valuable content addition to the NSS web site. As a sample of how this would work, I have included the report on one incident (Oct 19, 1998, Tongue River Cave, Wyoming) linked into the 1998 index (http://www.caves.org/pub/aca/98index.html).

Linking in the text of the 1994-1998 reports would be straightforward since I already have those reports in my computer from preparing the issues. Adding the text from earlier ACA issues would be a little more involved. Using an OCR scanner (I have one) and some volunteer help, it would be a little tedious, but not difficult. We might also consider publishing the full set of ACA issues on CD-ROM to sell through the bookstore.

I have received some great help and information from Cave Diving Section and the NACD and will have more information on diving incidents in the next issue.

If there are no objections, I would like to publish the 2000 ACA (and succeeding issues) in the summer rather than at the end of 2001. I feel the information will be more timely and useful when delivered earlier in the year.

I understand that NSS publications are to be electronically archived in PDF format. I have used Microsoft Word to do the last two ACA issues, and can provide the electronic manuscripts in that format (Word97 DOC) now if desired. I will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat, or assistance from someone who has a copy, to translate the manuscripts to PDF.

Plans: Prepare ACA 1999 for publication and distribution in December 2000, and ACA 2000 for distribution in Summer 2001.

Buy a copy of Adobe Acrobat and provide archival copies of ACA 94 through 99 in PDF format as requested.

Still looking for help with advertising sales and marketing for ACA.

Problems: No luck so far getting help with advertising sales and marketing, but I do have one company interested in an inside cover ad. I have decided to concentrate on selling the three cover spots and not worry about the inside ads.

William O. Putnam
Editor, American Caving Accidents

(2) AAAS REP-BIOLOGY

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: No progress.

Plans: Will contact AAAS Geology rep about developing a cooperative project, perhaps a special session at the next AAAS meeting. Will attend Convention this coming year and will organize a discussion session on increasing linkages between NSS and AAAS.
Have also been planing to post the issue to the biospeleology listserv. Will do so before then next report is due. Any possible way to tie in to the upcoming International Congress?

Problems: Isolation, low priority.

Chair comments: I have been trying to get Diana Northup involved, and I think in a year or so when she graduates, she may be interested, but not right now. I expect to be at convention next year for more than one day, and can perhaps do some networking there for likely volunteers. I wonder if I can get a list of NSS members from AAAS? Hmmm...

(3) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY

Daniel L Chess
19 Tavano Road
Ossining, NY 10562

Home: (914) 945-2479 tieline 862
E-mail: dlchess@watson.ibm.com

Progress: Nothing new to report at this time.

Plans: I plan to attend the AAAS Annual meeting in San Francisco on February 16-20. The geology business meeting will be held on February 16th at 12:30PM to 2:30PM.

There are a number of geology/environmental sessions: Subglacial lakes; Deep-sea hydrothermal vents; Pacific rim natural disasters; Pollutants without borders; The scientific role of National Parks and Archeology and sustainable development. The Annual meeting also includes many other interesting sessions, many tied to public policy issues. A full listing of sessions can be found at the AAAS web site, www.aaas.org.

I received a notice from the AAAS on September 27 that Carroll Hodges has accepted another 3 year term as Geology Section Secretary. Surprisingly, it is the secretary that does most of the work within the various sections.

The Geology Section Secretary address is:
Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges (Geology/Geography)
1367 Canada Road
Woodside, CA 9462-2452
(650)851-7264
cahodges@worldnet.att.net

Problems: No problems.

Daniel Chess
Advisory Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineering and Operations
Research Division
(914) 945-2479; tieline 862

(4) AGI DELEGATE

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

Subject: Report to BOG from the NSS representative to the American Geological Institute

Progress: The manuscript for the joint NSS-AGI publication on karst entitled "Karst environments: Resources, Problems and Solutions" has had its final review by George Veni and Harvey DuChene and is on its way to AGI for final edit and layout. The editors at AGI are quite pleased with the final product and expect the finished product to be a publication we can all be proud of. George Veni is to be commended for the effort he has made to make sure that this publication happens.

Plans: The next meeting of the AGI will be in Reno, Nevada on November 13 and 14. I will not be able to attend, but Joan Mylroie has tentatively agreed to be my proxy.

Problems: No problems at this time.

(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

U.S. Exploration Committee Report

C. William Steele
724 Crestland Dr.
Bartlesville, OK 74006

Home: (918) 333-5761
Work: ((18) 336-9170
Fax: (918) 336-6407
E-mail: oksteele@aol.com

Committee members:
Jim Chester - Montana
Don Broussard - Texas
Jim Smith - Georgia
Dave Black - Indiana
Tom Shifflett - Virginia
Scott Davis - Arizona
Bill Steele, chairman - Oklahoma

Progress: The committee has granted a $250 Sara Corrie Fund grant to Jim Chester of Eureka, Montana for his Smoking Entrances Expedition. The grant will be spent on a winter aerial reconnaissance of the Scapegoat Mountain plateau in the Scapegoat Wilderness. The purpose of the flight will be to look for prominent steam columns and then launch a winter expedition to them seeking a descending deep cave leading to Green Forks Falls Cave at the base of the plateau.

Following the grant made to Chester, he was invited and accepted becoming a member of the U.S. Exploration Committee.

Two grant requests are under review. The first is the Isla da Mona Cave Survey Project. A group of cavers have been going to the island, 50 miles off of Puerto Rico, for the last three years. They have asked for a grant of $250 to obtain funding to purchase a set of Suunto instruments, flagging tape, and survey paper.

The second grant request under review came from the Barrack Zourie Foundation, Inc., a NY not for profit, 501-c3 corporation active in locating, digging, mapping, and preserving cave properties. They have been asked for more information as to what they would spend Sara Corrie Funds on.

Another grant request was received for an expedition to Mexico. This was rejected and the requestors were referred to the NSS International Committee.

The committee chairman sent out an e-mail on the Cavers Digest inviting United States cave exploration projects to apply for Sara Corrie Fund grants. The two grants under review both responded from that posting. An article doing the same has been sent to the NSS News and the editor has said that it will be published in an upcoming issue.

Plans: Plans are to continue to conduct business as we have been.

Problems: None

(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE

Joel Despain
Hcr 89 Box 211
Three Rivers CA 93271

Work: 559-5653717
joel_despain@hotmail.com

Progress: Two grants each for $600 were awarded in the most recent quarter. The first went to the 2000 Yucatan Cave Diving expedition in Yucatan Mexico. The second will benefit the Cerro Rabon Project in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Plans: More of the same as appropriate grant requests and money allow.

Problems: None.

(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Aldemaro Romero, Ph.D.
Chair, RAC
Environmental Studies Program and Biology Department
Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105-1899
USA

(651) 696-8157
(651) 696-6443 (fax)
romero@macalester.edu

Committee Members:
Donald G. Davis
Carol Hill
Thomas C. Kane
Fred G. Luiszer
Donald A. McFarlane
Thomas Poulson
Philip Reeder
Carol M. Wicks, Chairman, Ralph Stone Award

Research Grant Information: Information about research grants can be found at: http://www.macalester.edu/~envirost/nss

Progress: We have approved two new research grants recently and a notice about them will be published in the NSS News. The abstracts of approved proposals in the last year are now posted on the Committee's web page. We worked with the Executive Vice-president in order to update the list of NSS Projects. They are also posted on the Committee's web page. Donald A. McFarlane is the new Chairman of the Ralph Stone Award.

Plans: To increase the visibility of the availability of the grants by announcing them through different outlets.

Problems: None

NSS Grant Recipients

Air Quality Study of Select Caves Within the Payson Ranger District, Gila County, Arizona

Researchers: Taran Doty, P.E. (NSS #44128) and Bryan Doty (NSS #47451), Central Arizona Grotto of the National Speleological Society
Amount: $500
Address: Taran L. Doty, P.E.
2232 East Crest Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85024

email: taran.doty@idc-ch2m.com

Genetic Relatedness of Stygobites as a Tool for Determining Aquifer Connectedness

Researcher: Jean Krejca, NSS #33083
Amount: $750
Address: Integrative Biology C0930
University of Texas
Austin TX 78712

email: creature@mail.utexas.edu

Correlation of Vegetation Spectral Characteristics to Maya Archaeological Site Locations in the Karst of West Central Belize

Researcher: David K. Gay, NSS #48859
Amount: $500
Address: 22763 Kane Avenue
Glenwood, IA 51534
email: paleodave@aol.com

Study of a Convergent Cave Beetle/Cave Cricket Predator-Prey System

Researcher: Molly White, NSS #48563
Amount: $750
Address: Department of Biological Sciences
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210006
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006

email: mollyjean99@hotmail.com

(8) SPELEO DIGEST

Scott Fee
2501 Gable Blvd.
Birmingham, AL. 35215-2862

Home: (205) 854-7487
E-mail: scottfee@pipeline.com

Editors and Desktop Layout (DTP):
1990: Scott Fee & Tom Willett (DTP)
1992: Mark & James Adler
2000: Scott Fee

Speleo Digest Committee Report

I am pleased to report that the 1991, 1998, and 1999 were available at the West Virginia NSS Convention. The 1990 Digest will be printed and shipped to arrive at the NSS Office no later than November 1.

With only the 1992 Digest remaining, the Committee fully expects to be completely caught up by year-end! Therefore, the Speleo Digest series will be current for the first time in over two decades! (Could this be the first time ever?)

Current Year Speleo Digests:

2000: Scott Fee

Progress: I have over 160 articles that are ready to be dropped into DTP format. All DTP templates are ready.

Plans: Finish selecting in-hand articles by end of October. Initiate the layout in November.

Problems: The 1990 Digest took much more of my allocated time that I had anticipated; therefore, I have fallen behind from my original schedule.

Unfinished Speleo Digests:

1990: Scott Fee & Tom Willett

Progress: The manuscript was overnighted to the printer on September 25^th.

Plans: To close this committee.

Problems: Tom’s time was very limited and since he was utilizing a DTP program that I was familiar with, I had him drop the manuscript on CD and mail me the hard copies. Once the manuscript was proofread, I initiated corrections, and it became apparent that many articles were missing maps or associated graphics. Therefore, I had to rearrange the manuscript and reprint the book from scratch.

1992: James & Mark Adler

Progress: Since May we have finished the scanning (we have a couple of articles left and a couple of maps, but we are 99% done). We have also finished with the templates for the layout. I've sent 1 1/2 chapters to Scott Fee for his approval on layout. Thus far I have about 35 pages laid out, and can average 20-30 pages an evening when I focus on it (which I'll be doing 5 days a week from now till completion of the project).

Plans: We are hopeful to have the Digest completely laid out by mid-November and would like it to be back from the printer by early-December...late, but still in time for stocking stuffing... Best case completion date: End of October. Worst case completion date: End of November. Personal goal: Again, mid-November.

Mark and James will do proofreading (of course) as well as Jeanne Melchior (mother and English professor). Jennifer Lyon (fellow caver) will also assist in the proofing (we may rope in a few more people). Proofreading will be done as the chapters are completed. I will be placing the chapters (in PDF format) on a "closed" server (protected by log-in/password) and allow them to be downloaded for proofing and commentary.

Problems: None for certain. Scott Fee has commented that several of the initial graphics appear to be grainy. We have rescanned the mentioned ones at a higher resolution (600 dpi) and have not noticed any difference. If the graphics are not "up to par," we will have to enlist the aid of someone else to rescan them (both James and Mark are inundated with work at the moment and the layout is going to kill Mark as it is).

(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

David McClurg
104 Graves Ct.
Vallejo, CA 94591

Phone and Fax: 707 642-5528
dmcclurg@value.net

Tom Rea (Committee Member)
Gale McCoy (Committee Member)
Shannon Knapp (Committee Member)

Special Publications Committee Report
For the Fall 2000 Board of Governors Meeting

COMPLETED BOOKS

On Rope Reprint

Bruce Smith and Allen Padgett

Progress: Corrected materials for the On Rope reprint were shipped to the printer on August 11. Printer is Sheridan Books, Ann Arbor, Michigan, the low bidder on the reprint (their bid was $6.7K lower).The lithographic negatives from McNaughton & Gunn––the folks who did the first printing––had already been received by Sheridan Books about ten days earlier.

Corrected pages totaled 23. Fourteen pages are scattered throughout the book and nine are in the completely updated Chapter 13, Sources of Information. Proofs of the corrected pages were reviewed and signed off on in mid September. On October 6, 5000 copies were shipped to the NSS Bookstore in Huntsville.

Plans and Problems: None

Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers

Alexander Klimchouk, Editor

Progress: As indicated in the last report, this title has been completed and 1,057 copies were delivered to the NSS office in May.

To help in promoting the book at the KARST 2000 meeting in September in Ankara, Turkey, this committee prepared a small full-color promotion piece. The piece is similar to the color ad we prepared for a free insertion in the June 2000 issue of Geotimes. Since the attendees of the conference are prime prospects for both NSS science books, the promo piece promotes not only Speleogenesis, but Cave Minerals of the World as well.

Copies of this promotional piece plus a quantity of the full-page color fliers for the two books were sent by this committee directly to the chair of the conference committee. A covering letter asked for the flyers to be given to conference attendees at registration. As a back up, an identical shipment was sent to Derek Ford at McMaster University in Canada who was also attending the conference. Concerns for delivery problems in Turkey were unfounded, as it turns out. An Email from the conference chair confirmed safe delivery two days later.

Plans: This committee will continue to provide this kind of support for Speleogenesis, Cave Minerals of the World, and other NSS books as needed.

BOOKS IN PROGRESS

On Caves and Cameras

John van Swearingen and Norman Thompson, Editors

Progress: The editors have received and are now doing final editing of text and illustrations. A revised publishing agreement was circulated by EVP Ray Keeler to the editors, this committee, and Joel Stevenson, chair of the NSS legal committee, for comments. The agreement calls for the ms and illustrations to be completed by December 15, 2000.

Since the convention, we have received revised production quotes and now estimate the total costs for 1,000 copies to be about $15,000.

To enhance the appeal of this book, a definitive chapter on digital techniques has been written by John Woods. Woods is an NSS member who is a professional photographer in the Los Angeles area and a published author on photographic subjects. He uses digital techniques in his studio and on-site assignments. His specialty is architectural interiors, with clients including Hilton Hotels. Woods was a student of Ansel Adams and is the author of a book published by Macmillan on the zone system pioneered by Adams, which is used as a text in photographic schools.

This committee believes strongly––and we think this was the consensus of the board at the convention board meeting––that coverage of digital techniques is essential to make this book complete and assure its success.

Plans: When we receive the final ms and illustrations , we will begin production. We will also prepare a firm cost estimate based on the final ms and illustrations.

The book should be completed in time for the 2001 convention.

Problems: None.

Cave Rescue Manual

Various NCRC members

Progress: The manual prepared by Chuck Hempel was accepted by the NCRC at its meeting in Elkins.

Plans: Committee member Tom Rea has received the final version of the manual and is beginning the preliminaries of production, including obtaining estimates for printing costs.

Problems: Too early to tell.

Techniques of Cave Conservation and Restoration

Progress: We received an estimated character count from the editors. Based on that, we got printing quotes which were discussed at the Elkins Board Meeting.

We understand that final editing is proceeding apace with the expectation that materials will be ready to submit to this committee for production later this Fall.

Plans: We will begin production when materials are received. It is expected the book will be completed in time for the 2001 convention and the International Congress of Speleology in Brazil.

Problems: Nothing but the inevitable slow pace of multi-author books.

Caves

A Children’s Book

Ronal Kerbo

Progress: This title is an update and rewrite of Ron Kerbo’s very popular 48-page introduction to caves for children, originally published in 1981 by Childrens Press in Chicago.

Plans: This committee has received several printing estimates, but so far the price seems a little high. So we’re soliciting more, including bids from two sites on the web. We hope to have firm prices before the Fall board meeting, so the Board can make a decision on producing the book.

As far as the text is concerned, Kerbo reports the book’s revisions are nearly completed and new photos selected.

Our plan is to have this book laid out by new committee member, Shannon Knapp.

Problems: None, assuming we succeed as expected in getting a good printing price.

Underground Wonders—

Visiting Caves on Public Lands

Ronal Kerbo

Progress: Underground Wonders will have full chapters covering the eight major NPS show caves, plus Blanchard Spring (Arkansas), Karchner Caverns (Arizona), and Mitchell Caverns State Park (California). Each chapter will have history, descriptions, maps, and photos. In addition, recreational caves open to cavers on a permit basis, such as several at Carlsbad Caverns NP, will be mentioned.

We have had several detailed discussions with the author about this title, and have received a sample of the first chapters.

Plans: We expect to see materials and photos from Kerbo over the next several months. When we have enough to accurately calculate the page count, we’ll get printing estimates, and prepare a specification and estimate sheet.

Problems: Too early to tell.

 

US Cave Management Manual

Members of the NSS Cave Management Section

Progress: We’re very pleased to report that this book has been resurrected from limbo by Thomas Lera, as editor. At his request, we sent him the information and files we had here. He has already written to the authors who were involved earlier.

Plans: We will await developments.

Problems: None, except the inevitable snail pace of multi-author books.

Caves of the Guadalupe Mountains

By Michael Queen

Progress, Plans, Problems: No report or materials were received.

General Comments

The Market Research Committee

Apparently, this committee remains in limbo. Presumably, it will start to function some time soon. When that happens, we stand ready as we have in the past to provide reports, cost estimates, and all other information on any book under development by this committee.

––David McClurg, Chair, Special Publications Committee

(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES

Louise D. Hose (Editor)
Department of Environmental and Chemical Sciences
1 University Drive
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866

Home: 909-808-0042
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(h)
Work: 605-745-4600(w)
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
Penelope Boston
Rane Curl
Andy Flurkey
David Jagnow
Doug Medville
John Mylroie
Margaret Palmer
Elizabeth White

Progress: Volume 63, number 1 came out on time and with no hitches. Volume 63, number 2 (August issue), the Special Issue on Guadalupe Mountain Speleogenesis, was at the proof stage in June and is ready for printing and mailing as soon as financial issues are resolved. Carol Hill and Harvey DuChene have done a fabulous job in their Guest Editor roles. Volume 63, number 3 (December issue) is progressing nicely. Bob Hoke sent the convention abstracts in very good condition and in a very timely manner. They are currently being edited by the Associate Editors with about half the sessions already returned. I anticipate no problem at all in getting number 3 out on time. Accepted paper flow is adequate, but notably lower than a couple years ago with we were flooded with submissions from Eastern Europeans. Lastly, Betty Wheeler has stepped down as Book Review Associate Editor and Ernst Kastning, Ph.D. steps into the position with outstanding qualifications.

Plans: We are currently investigating the feasibility and possible cost savings of sending number 2 (the Guads issue) and number 3 in the same mailing in early December. The issues will be individually bound but, perhaps, packaged together. I have suggested to everyone concerned that we finalize plans for the Guads issue by October 1^st. If funding is not secured by that time (either through outside sources or a increase in the Journal production budget from the NSS, we will probably have to make the tough decision of which paper(s) to cut and move to an all black-and-white interior. For this reason, I have no yet sent out acceptance letters to the authors, which is a very unfortunate circumstance. On the positive side, all the contributors have been very patient and understanding, so far. I believe they see great value in doing this publication right.

Problems: This has unquestionably been the most difficult trimester for the Journal. Other demands on the editor during the summer, including extensive field work out-of-country, moving cross-country, and changing employment, have made it difficult for communication both with me and from me. Production Editor Jim Pisarowicz has had an even more difficult time. Not only did the fires and tourist season in the Black Hills keep him professionally busy, he had his household packed up for potential evacuation for several weeks. Phone lines to Custer were burnt down, eliminating phone communication, and his internet servers has been down for a couple months (and still isn’t back up).

Despite these challenges, the biggest problems have come with funding the Guads issue. EVP Ray Keeler started negotiations with the Carlsbad Caverns-Guadalupe Mountains Association (CCGMA) and with the National Park Service in early summer and received positive, verbal feedback. However, realities of waiting on the federal fiscal budget have apparently impacted the timeliness of an official commitment on NPS funding; The CCGMA experienced its own crisis and change in management this summer, also delaying their potential commitment. Ray continues to communicate and work with both organizations, seeking commitments to purchase the volume and/or grants to fund publication.

(11) NSS NEWS

Dave Bunnell (Editor)
P.O. 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: Several new feature articles have arrived, so I'm back to having enough material on hand for several issues in advance. Virtual caving, Jay's review, and Technology columns have been running regularly as well.

Plans: Feature articles are in hand on the new Tytoona preserve, on Helictite Cave in VA, cave diving, Australia, and Gypkap caves. The cave diving section contacted me about running a regular column in the News a couple of months back, but hasn't followed through yet. I'm going to Cuba next month as part of a CSS expedition, and that will surely result in an article-they're very excited about seeing more on their caves in the News! I'll continue chasing down features. Some of what's arrived recently has been through my encouraging people to finish stuff up.

Problems: Nothing major. Paul Steward has decided to give up his popular interview column due to increasing home and work commitments, so I'll have to seek out a replacement. And although I won't be seeking a replacement for her, I should note that Peri Frantz has decided to end her column Down Through the Decades to focus on her upcoming convention duties.

(12) MEMBERS MANUAL

Maureen Handler
P.O. 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 Manual is at the printers, Malloy Lithographing Inc, in Ann Arbor Michigan. The current estimated completion date is Oct 26. Stephanie Cothran is contacting the mailing house in Ann Arbor (down the road from the printers, saves shipping) on Monday Oct 2. She is also re-opening our mailing permit in Ann Arbor.

Plans: Complete the logistics between Stephanie and the mailing house to ensure the data base is in Michigan and the mailing specifications are in order in time to receive the completed manuals. Minimize any delay from the time the manual are printed until they go in the mail. Send the electronic copy of the Manual to the NSS for archiving.

Problems: Cost. The Manual is 40 pages larger than last year and all of it is in the membership listing. Quite a bit of this is the inclusion of email addresses. Also quite a bit of formatting was needed because of the four-digit zip code extension. The mail will arrive with out the extension, we should consider not publishing the four-digit zip extensions and go to an even more condensed font next year. The budgeted cost for the Manual printing was $13,500. The quote for the larger Manual is $15,613, plus some additional fees for placing graphics (probably about $200).

Many of the problems encountered during publication of the 2000 Manual were one time events, some of it included in the learning curve. Graphics were a problem with the final publication. All of the pages with graphics on them had to be imported into a different program for printing. Keith Jones of Dalton GA was invaluable in finalizing the publication by working the graphics into a printable form. The electronic files of photographs received from the BOG meeting were of poor quality and had to be enhanced or replaced.

EVP note: The Members Manual will be over budget by approximately $3,000 . There is a request for additional funding in the proposed budget update motion in the Fall 2000 BOG agenda.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT

Ray Keeler,
NSS EVP
rkeeler@pcslink.com

The following permissions/contacts/non-permissions were made for reprinting NSS copyrighted materials and release of NSS Member information:

Attachment B-1

Project Proposal for Project Isla de Mona

Project Name: ISLA DE MONA PROJECT

Chairman: Marc J. Ohms
RR1 Box 190
Wind Cave National Park
Hot Springs, SD 57747

605-745-6507 (H)
605-745-4600 (W)
marcohms@yahoo.com
marc_ohms@nps.gov

Background: Isla de Mona is a small uplifted island 68 kilometers off the coast of Puerto Rico. The island is 12 km by 5 km in size and is entirely carbonate. The island is managed by the Puerto Rican Department of Natural Resources as a Natural Reserve, Wildlife Refuge, and a Bird Sanctuary. The island has a rich history from Tiano Indians, pirates, Columbus, to German guano miners.

History: In January of 1997, Dr. John Mylroie led an expedition to the island to continue his work on flank margin caves. He had made two previous trips and although he surveyed several of the smaller caves he realized he did not have the time, manpower, or expertise to tackle the larger caves on the island. He invited me along to interest me in forming a project to do so. I gave a presentation at the NSS Convention during the International Exploration session on this expedition.

In 1998, with the help of Dr. Mylroie and Richard Gantt, I formed an expedition of 14 cavers. We entered into a volunteer project with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources to explore, survey, and inventory the island's caves. We focused our attention on Cueva Lirio, a large cave underlying an abandoned lighthouse. On numerous occasions in the past, this lighthouse has been considered for a resort. The DRN has fought this but wanted prove that the cave underlies the area to aid them in future battles. We surveyed the extent of Lirio and connected it to another large cave Cueva el Faro for over 10 kilometers of survey. We also surveyed Cueva del Agua Brava Punta los Inglesas, a cave located near our base camp. We finished that project with a little over 1 kilometer of survey. This cave is quite unique, as it is the only known cave on the island to go below sea level and contain water. A surface transit survey was also conducted tying in the cave entrances to known benchmarks. After the expedition we set the PR DRN a final report complete with maps. The science work can be seen in the NSS "Journal of Cave and Karst Studies" August 1998, which was solely devoted to Isla de Mona. I presented our findings at the NSS Convention during the US Exploration session.

In December of 1998, Pat Kambesis led a small expedition to the island to continue the project. They started a survey project in Cueva Basurero and Parajos. They discovered a connection between Cueva Parajos and Cueva Erickson,two large cave systems, which when surveyed should reach 15 to 20 kilometers in length.

In 1999, we returned to the island with a larger crew of 18 people. The majority of which were scientists, both geologists and biologists. The survey crew was the smallest faction of this expedition. Regardless we managed to survey another 3 kilometers in the Lirio/ Faro system and connected it to yet another cave, Cueva Losetos. We also surveyed Cueva Frio at 672 meters and Cueva Surpreso at 800 meters. The biologists conducted bat mist netting and roost surveys. This was the first extensive bat survey ever conducted on the island. A final report with maps was sent to the PR DRN. A presentation by Ann Bosted was given at the NSS Convention during the National Exploration session, describing the December 1998 expedition.

Future goals: In December of 2000 an expedition is returning to the island with the goal of continuing the survey and exploration of the Lirio/Faro/Losetos system. Once this is completed we will continue the projects in Cueva Basurero or Parajos, both multi-kilometer caves. We have record of 42 caves on the island and no doubt there are more to be found. To date fifteen of the caves have been surveyed by Dr. Mylroie or the 1998/1999 expeditions. We have years of work ahead of us. We plan to conduct expeditions on a yearly basis and Dr. Mylroie will be continuing his research in the future. We plan to continue to present our expedition findings at the NSS Conventions and a NSS News article is in the works.