Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy Meeting Minutes for September 18, 2011 This is a summary of the minutes of the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 pm by President Pat Minnick at Woodward Campgrounds, Woodward, PA The following officers were present: President P. Minnick Vice President C. Catherman Secretary G. Schock Treasurer G. Dunmire Representation was as follows: Bald Eagle Grotto JD Lewis Baltimore Grotto George Clappison (proxy) Bucks County Grotto --- Buffalo Valley Grotto --- Central New Jersey Grotto --- Commander Cody Caving Club --- Franklin County Grotto Pat Minnick Greater Allentown Grotto --- Huntingdon Co. Cave Hunters --- Nittany Grotto Gary Dunmire Philadelphia Grotto Amos Mincin Seven Valleys Grotto Gretchen Schock York Grotto Randy Hurst (proxy) Secretary Report: The minutes from the May 2011 meeting were accepted as published in the August 2011 Breakdown. Treasurer Report: Gary Dunmire reported there are three $1000 CD's now worth $1060.90 each, a check for a mailed T-shirt for $17.95, $228 from Spring MAR, $135 cash from T-shirt sales, $196 from Fall MAR, and $4192.82 in the bank. A check in the amount of $491 will be issued for the Gate installed on Red Church Cave by the Greater Allentown Grotto (see New Business). Web Page: Dave Fricke continues to maintain the PCC web page. No report was given. It was noted that the PCC web page has not been updated recently. Chris Catherman will contact Dave Fricke regarding the recommended updates. PCC Breakfast: Pat Minnick and Anne Shepard coordinated the preparations for the PCC breakfast at the Fall MAR. Approximately 51 tickets were sold for the pancake breakfast on Sunday morning despite the cool temperatures. The breakfast made $196.00. The next PCC breakfast has not been determined since the Spring MAR is unknown at this time. PCC Brochure: Anyone interested in obtaining brochures should contact George Bange. Mail: Dean Snyder continues to manage the conservancy’s mail. No report was given. Christmas Cards: Karen Bange continues to manage the yearly distribution of Christmas cards to cave landowners. Contact Karen if you have a landowner you want added to the Christmas card list. T-shirts: Gary Dunmire continues to have PCC 25th anniversary T-shirts available at $15 each (approximately $17.65 with shipping). PA Cave Database: Tony Canike, with assistance by Keith Wheeland, continues to act as the Database Steward and coordinates cave information with the various County Stewards within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Anyone interested in being a County Steward should contact Tony Canike, the Database Steward. The current list to date is as follows: Berks County Mike Mostardi Blair County Derek Flaig Centre County --- (Open Position) Clinton County JD Lewis Cumberland County Ken Jones, Pat Minnick, & Don Arrowood Franklin County Ken Jones, Pat Minnick, & Don Arrowood Fulton County Ken Jones, Pat Minnick, & Don Arrowood Huntingdon County Garrett Czmor Lebanon County Brett Johnson Lehigh County Mike Spencer Lycoming County JD Lewis Mifflin County Todd Hancock Northampton County Mike Spencer York County Brett Johnson OLD BUSINESS: The lawsuit between the Juniata Valley Audubon Society and the Pennsylvania DEP is in process. The lawsuit is in response to the PA DEP issuing a mining permit within the Heller Cave Biological Diversity Area in Catharine Township, Blair County. A hearing is scheduled for a possible court date in October 2011. Project List: Dragon Cave (Berks County, PA) – No update was given. Red Church Cave (Schuylkill County, PA) – An entrance gate was installed and is in search of a management plan, possibly through Greater Allentown Grotto (GAG). Dean Snyder submitted a request for funds to cover costs for the gate (see New Business). Merkle Cave (Berks County, PA) – No update was given. Cleversburg Cave (Cumberland County, PA) – No change in status. Schofer Cave (Berks County, PA) – No update was given. Durham Cave (Bucks County, PA) – The property is potentially still for sale. Corker Hill and Frustration Pit (Franklin County, PA) – Franklin County Grotto continues with ongoing positive relations with WASHCO Homes. They are continuing negotiations under the PCC approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Tippery Cave (Huntingdon County) – No update was given. Peiper Cave (Cumberland County) – A clean-up trip was proposed but has not been scheduled. If interested, please contact Ed Kehs, owner of the cave. Russ Kennedy expressed interest in the possibility of the 2013 NSS Convention assisting with the clean-up efforts and will contact Ed Kehs to discuss. Dreibilbis Cave (Berks County) – No update was given. J4 Cave (Centre County) – Gary Dunmire reported that positive negotiations have been underway with Graymont concerning access to the cave. Discussion items have included various topics including the Landowner Protection Act, waiver forms, parking, as well as gating the entrance with PCC and Central Region Emergency Strike Team (C.R.E.S.T) maintaining access. The PCC will require a MOU in order to formerly approve any proposals. Graymont has expressed interest in discussing experiences with other existing landowner relations. NEW BUSINESS: Red Church Gate Materials: Dean Snyder has submitted a bill in the amount of $491 to cover the cost of materials used to construct the gate for Red Church cave. A motion was made by Gary Dunmire and seconded by Karen Bange for the PCC to pay $491 for the materials of the gate. The motion was voted and was unanimously passed. A check will be issued to Craig Hindman for the requested amount. PCC Breakfast Supplies: Pat Minnick and Anne Sheppard have agreed to take the PCC breakfast supplies and arrange for their storage until such time as they are needed again. 2013 NSS Convention: Russ Kennedy, 2013 NSS Chairman, encouraged the PCC to set up a stand and provide visibility for the organization during the upcoming convention being held August 5 – 9, 2013 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Russ emphasized that this was an opportunity to educate the caving community about the PCC organization. Additionally it provides an excellent venue for fund raising opportunities. Russ also suggested that the PCC consider participating in the nearby 2012 NSS convention in Greenbrier County, West Virginia as a warm-up for 2013. Next meeting: The next meeting of the PCC will be on Saturday, February 25, 2012 following the MAR Business meeting at the Mount Laurel Community Park, near Linglestown, PA. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am. Motion made by Amos Mincin and seconded by JD Lewis. Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Schock, Recording Secretary