Georgia Speleological Society Meeting Minutes 6 April 2002
GSS Annual Meeting
The meeting was started ~10:20am at Fricks Cave Property in Georgia.
I. Welcome Dan Barnick thanked everyone
attending and ET Davis with the SCCI for allowing the meeting
to be held again on the Fricks Property.
II. Treasurer Report by Brent Aulenbach See Attached treasury
report. Printing was the biggest expense with two GSS Bulletins
included. The next item discussed was the ensuing increase in
postage due to mailing out the Bulletin from last year. The expenses
for the Fricks Survey project. The SCCI received $100.00. The
checking account cost us $6.00 per month. Brief discussion on
publishing GSS 1980's Book should have $ for printing with a balance
of $1,689.00
III. Secretary Report by Holly Bunch. See Attached Minutes
from both the Business Meeting in January and last years Annual
Meeting Minutes. The annual meeting minutes are on the website
and in the GSS Bulletin for this year 2001. The group was asked
to review these so they could make suggestions, comments, and
additions.
IV. GSS Bulletin Editor by Brian Williamson. Brian discussed
frustration with printing and trying to increase quality without
exorbitant cost. He apologized for the inserts. Please donate
pictures, maps, articles for next years bulletin now it is not
too early to send him information.
V. Vice-Chairman by Tom Moltz. Please document what you
find. He reviewed several trips spent tracking down caves only
to find they were never turned in and nearby caves/karst features
confuse what is documented or not.
VI. Data by Carl Anderson. Caves for Georgia #540. 2002
CD has +8-9 new maps a few of which are historical but most are
new. The first purchase of a CD is $10.00 but the second version
is $5.00. This was discussed in January at the Business Meeting.
VII. Projects:
A. 1980's GSS Bulletin Book by Holly Bunch. Editors are needed
with recent addition of Tom Moltz another was requested which
was Kathy MacKay volunteered. Also, due to poor response from
publishers with figures for cost the group as asked for suggestions.
Carl Anderson reported they used a Binder Company out of state
but hand copied at Kinko's with multiple editors for index. Carl
also asked what was involved in editing, which was basic grammar
and spelling for the data currently entered into computer. Tom
Moltz suggested a small LaFayette printer Darla Smally could be
used. Jim Youmans suggested Jim Whidby of Knoxville, TN, and Jerry
Wallace recommended Tim White of AL for printing assistance. No
deadline is firm at this time.
B. Fricks Cave Survey by Brent Aulenbach. Reviewed unique
habitat found Tennessee Cave Salamander and Grey Bat. Open house
is annually held for cavers to enter now. The last map from the
1970's reveals 7,777 feet of passage with the SCCI requesting
a revision of the map. The project has concentrated on teaching
other cavers how to survey and Brent thanked people for bowing
out of trips to allow newer folks to survey. Started 12/01 with
five survey days to date over four weekends. Thus far, 35 different
people have surveyed 9,500 feet of cave. The vertical extent of
the cave is 131 feet. The trip reports are in the Bulletin with
reports going to the GSS officers and the SCCI along with the
website. Initially a mail out was done to GSS members to include
and encourage participation. The maximum allowed on a survey trip
is 12. The next trip is scheduled for November, which should be
low wet sections of the cave. Brent plans to draft map in Adobe
Illustrator electronically and hopes to include multiple sketchers.
VIII. New Business
A. Kingston Saltpeter Book by Joel Sneed and Larry Blair reported
by Holly Bunch. The book is nearing completion but is on hold
until a date of a tooth is finished currently under testing at
Oak Ridge Tennessee. The book should contain mostly paleontological
data by several experts. The oldest artifact is dated ~12,000
years old. Larry would be happy to display and sale book when
published.
B. Development Pressure continues in Northwest Georgia
by Brian Williamson. Finding caves would prevent further development
v. waiting until development is in effect. Dean Clemmer works
in land use control and reiterated Brian's comments. Dean reported
that a billion dollar project is slotted for NW Georgia currently.
Carl Anderson reported it is best to find important caves/species
prior to interest in development.
C. Quarry at Pigeon Mountain a permit is still up for approval
to expand current operations. Diane Cousineau has website to provide
current progress on Quarry Expansion at http://www.pigeonmountain.org.
Green Salamander on the North end of property was located and
should help in addition to the Flowing Stone pit. The money to
buy out Vulcan could be around $5-15 million. Vulcan may want
expansion due to proposal to re-route Hwy 27 to become a 4-lane
Interstate and rock will be in demand. A spoil area is the only
requirement for the Quarry as far as environmental restrictions
are concerned. The GSS and members thanked Pigeon Mountain Grotto
for the Karst Inventory.
D. Johnson's Crook the crook is closed as reported by Kathy
MacKay. Jerry Wallace reported rearrangement of Sawmill at the
foot of the mountain was being done. The new caretaker evidently
travels the Newsome Gap Road on the lookout for offenders. The
dtr, of Jack Wallen the current landowner, reported to local cavers
that he feels cavers have spoiled the sale of this property.
E. EPD-Environmental Protection Department Dean Clemmer
reported that delegates enforcement authority sometimes to local
people to assist with management especially in rural areas thus
this might be an avenue to pursue assistance for the caves in
Georgia.
F. John's Mountain off Hwy 136 a discussion ensued about
limestone within this mountain. Carl Anderson reported little
is known about these mountains, which there are few known caves
currently. Jim Youmans reported in 1965 Wallace Colley received
a letter stating there was a "toilet effect" drainage
hole in the ground on John's Mountain from a person in the area.
IX. Survey Equipment Tom Moltz at the Winter business meeting
made recommendation for GSS to purchase gear. Dan Barnick suggested
rental fee for one month by members for $10, which would include
compass, inclinometer, tape, box, and book. The Chairman to keep
track of gear. Motion was suggested to this effect by Kathy Mackay
and seconded by Jerry Wallace. All members in attendance voted
yes. Brent will post on email listing about availability of gear
and new policy.
X. Archives Brent reported now located at his home. Brent
Aulenbach will have a copy of the original with Carl Anderson
and Tom Moltz having backup copies of data. Foxy Ferguson has
material from GSS at its inception beginning with Brent reviewing
they are working toward possibly obtaining material via Jim Wilbanks.
XI. Donation Brent Aulenbach suggested $200.00 donation
be made to Fox Mountain Preserve for the SCCI. Motion as presented
initiated by Brent Aulenbach and seconded by Ed Pratt. All members
in attendance voted yes.
XII. Chattanooga Article Kathy MacKay inquired about article
in Chattanooga newspaper article in the end of March 2002. This
made reference to a cave in Catoosa County during the Civil War
Battle this cave was located and used for refuge while marching
eastward.
XIII. ALGA Brent Aulenbach access is dubious with landowner
relations being rather cool towards the cavers. They continue
to access via Moses Tomb on Fox Mountain, which makes for a lengthy
hike. Mr. Brandon one of the local landowners does not like seeing
cavers pass near or on his property.
XIV. Elections: Treasurer Nomination for Brent Aulenbach
by Jerry Wallace then seconded by Tom Moltz. Brent resumed as
treasurer via acclimation. Secretary Nomination for Holly Bunch
by Brent Aulenbach and seconded by Ed Pratt. Holly resumed secretary
duties via acclimation. Vice-Chairman Nomination for John Klayer
by Holly Bunch and seconded by Tom Moltz. All members in attendance
voted yes. Chairman Nomination for Tom Moltz by Jerry Wallace
and seconded by Dan Barnick. All members in attendance voted yes.
Bulletin Editor Nomination by Jerry Wallace and seconded by Dan
Barnick for Tom Moltz. Field Chairman Ridgewalking appointed
Jerry Wallace. Coordinator of Cave Information Jerry Wallace who
is supposed to contact landowner and coordinate with DCG and their
closed cave list and report new information.
XV. Adjournment 12:10pm to Ridgewalk or Dig in the surrounding
area.
Attendance Roster: Marty Abercrombe, Carl Anderson, Brent
Aulenbach, Dan Barnick, Sharon Brewer, Stephen Brewer, Obadiah
Brooks, Ken Brown, Holly Bunch, Dean Clemmer, Eric Crisp, ET Davis,
John Klayer, Kathy Mackay, Jessica Maddox, Tom Moltz, Ed Pratt,
Jerry Wallace, Brian Williamson, and Jim Youmans.
By Holly A. Bunch, Secretary for GSS
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Last modified: Monday, 7 October, 2002 bta