Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy Meeting Minutes for September 22, 2002. This is a summary of the minutes of the meeting. The meeting was called to order by President, Kim Kehs, at the Lazy A Campground in Glengary, WV at 9:45 a.m. Sunday September 22, 2002. The following officers were present: President: Kim Kehs Vice President: Secretary: Karen Bange Treasurer: George Bange Representatives were as follows: Bald Eagle Grotto: --- Baltimore Grotto: Craig Hindman Bucks County Grotto: Katherine Crispin (proxy Buffalo Valley Grotto: --- Central New Jersey Grotto: --- Commander Cody Caving Club: Harris Martin Franklin County Grotto: Pat Minnick Greater Allentown Grotto: Dean Snyder Huntingdon County Cave Hunters: --- Nittany Grotto: Keith Wheeland Philadelphia Grotto: Mike Mostardi Pittsburgh Grotto: Patty Taylor Seven Valleys Grotto: Joe Schock South Jersey Grotto: --- York Grotto: --- Secretary’s Report: The minutes from the May meeting were approved as printed in the Breakdown. Treasurer’s Report: There is a balance of $228.84 in the checking account and $3,057.80 in the savings account for a total of $3,286.64. Web Page Report: No report was available PCC Bumper Stickers: Keith Wheeland still has PCC bumper stickers to sell at $2 a piece. Breakfast Report: The breakfast at the 2002 fall field meet brought in $360 (72 tickets at $5 a piece). There was a general thank you to Alan Horn for donating all of the food items and for preparing the breakfast. T-shirt Report: Dean Snyder has T-shirts for sale. Growing Greener Grant Money: Harris Martin reminded the caving community to collaborate with other conservancies to maximize grant money. PCC Brochure Report: George Bange has brochures available for any one interested. Old Business: Project Reports: 1. Baker Caverns, Franklin County, PA. No change 2. Dragon Cave, Berks County, PA. The gate is partially installed. Mike Mostardi will offer PCC’s assistance to finish the gating project. 3. J4, Centre County, Cherie Picard reported there has been no dialogue with the quarry owners. 4. McAlisterville Cave, Juniata County, PA. Keith Wheeland reported everything is status quo with the new gate. 5. Merkle Cave, Berks County, PA. There was no report available. 6. Cleversburg Cave, Franklin County, PA. Pat Minnick reported there are no problems with the township. Christmas Card: Karen Bange reminded the conservancy that the holidays are approaching. If anyone wants a cave owner added to the holiday card list, please contact Karen. There was discussion to add the owners of Sharer Cave to the list. Karen will follow up with Keith Wheeland to get the mailing information. It was also decided to include a PCC brochure with each holiday card. PCC Breakfast: Alan Horn agreed to do the 2003 Fall MAR breakfast but would appreciate other PCC members volunteering to coordinate the meal at future meets. The PCC voted to pay Alan’s registration fee at the Fall MAR. Cave For Pay: No report was available Legislation: Pennsylvania general elections will be held November 2002 with a change in the current administration possible. Harris Martin reminded everyone that this might be a good time to contact key legislators about cave conservation projects. Mail: Dean Snyder received a letter from US Department of the Interior/US Geological Survey Library asking for an updated Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy Update. The last issue they received was May 1985. It was decided that Karen Bange will contact the US Geological Survey Library with PCC’s website address. New Business: Sharer Cave: Keith Wheeland gave an update on the status of Sharer Cave. At the owner’s request the Pennsylvania Game Commission gated the cave this past summer. The lock can only be opened with a special bolt and special socket. The socket must be picked up in person from Keith Wheeland, it will no longer be mailed out. There is a limit of one trip per week in the summer only with a limit of 10 cavers on the trip. Parking is allowed on Route 192 only. All trips must be scheduled in advance. Pennsylvania Convention: Kim Kehs has proposed holding an NSS convention in the Shippensburg area in 2006. Kim has done a lot of the preliminary legwork in preparation for presenting her proposal at the NSS BOG meeting this spring. Dean Snyder voiced concern on the effect (short and long term) of holding a convention in this area. Carol Tiderman was able to address this concern having first hand knowledge of hosting an NSS convention. There was a general discussion on the pros and cons of Kim’s proposal. A motion was made, and seconded, for the PCC to endorse a 2006 NSS convention in Central PA. There were seven votes in favor and two opposed: Greater Allentown Grotto and Bucks County Grotto were opposed on the grounds of concern for cave conservation and pressure on the local caves. Geo Cache: Keith Wheeland reported on a current trend on the Internet, to access websites for directions to a cache. People participating in the "hobby" exchange caches in this manner. Caches are filled with trinkets and placed in natural settings. Recently a cache was innocently placed in Tytoona Cave. When it was found, luckily by a caver, it was promptly removed and the person hiding the cache was informed of the removal and reason for it. In the NSS bylaws it is prohibited from hiding a cache in a cave owned by the NSS. A cache can be placed on a NSS cave preserve with prior permission. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the PCC will be on Saturday February 22, 2003 after the annual MAR Business Meeting The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. September 22, 2002 Respectfully submitted, Karen Bange, Secretary