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ISS Meeting Minutes - March 16, 1997
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ISS Meeting Minutes - 1997/03/16
ISM Research and Collections Center, Springfield, IL
Call to Order at 10:17
Introduction of Directors and Officers
Officers:
President: Philip Moss
Vice-President: Joel Laws
Treasurer: none
Recording Secretary: Philip Newell
Member Organizations and Directors:
Illinois Natural History Survey - Dr. Donald Webb
Illinois State Museum - Dr. Rickard Toomey
Little Egypt Grotto - Marc Stamborski
Mark Twain Grotto - David Mahon
Meramec Valley Grotto - Jim Sherrell
Mid-Mississippi Valley Grotto - Darrol Gasawski
Mississippi Karst Resource Planning Committee - Philip Moss
proxy for Joan Bade
Near-Normal Grotto - Dr. John Marquart
Stygian Grotto - Kevin Berdak
Windy City Grotto - Jack Wood proxy for David Anderson
Reading of Minutes
The minutes were accepted, unanimously, as written without a
reading of them.
Old Business
1.Database diskettes: Aaron Addison reported that he has
prepared input interfaces for both any Windows PC and Web
Browsers. The browser access requires a individual user-id and
passwords. It offers the advantage of platform independence. Dr.
John Marquart initiated a discussion regarding the adequacy of
protection. Alternatively, one can send a diskette with the data to
Rick Toomey at the Illinois State Museum. The database structure
can be acquired from Aaron, but there is no help written into the
program. The program can be run by any PC with Windows 3.1 or
higher. It is proposed that the Data Management Committee meet
along with Aaron Addison and Joel Laws to work out the final
details of the database structure. See contact sheet attached for
phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
2.NSS Affiliation: Darrol Gasawski reported that he sent a letter
to the National Speleological Society on 1 February 1997. No
response has been received yet. Philip Moss related that NSS
affiliation will require that all Directors be NSS members. The
organizations do not have to be I/Os of the NSS according to Dave
Taylor says Philip Moss.
3.Research Community Awareness: John Marquart distributed
suggestions for making the ISS known to the research community.
He detailed the following candidate methods: Letters and Posters,
Internet Web Pages, and Letter-of-Announcement. During the
following discussion, there were two motions. John Marquart
moved that the ISS establish a presence on the Internet. It passed
unanimously. Rick Toomey and Jerry Jeremiah volunteered to be
on an Internet Committee. Joel Laws offered to host the web pages
at UMSL. Preference for hosting at Illinois State Museum was
expressed by several Directors. There was a motion for Rick
Toomey and Jerry Jeremiah to establish a presence on the Internet
as guided by the preceding discussion. It passed unanimously.
Jerry asked about content approval. Philip Moss advised him to use
his discretion. Philip Moss advised that anyone who has input
regarding increasing the research community's awareness of the
ISS should contact Dr. John Marquart.
4.Availability of ISM attorneys: We need to defend the ISS
database from subpoena. Rick Toomey reports that the ISM
attorneys will defend our database with the same vigor that they
would if it was paleontological or archaeological data. Defense
would be aimed at the database in its entirety and not to withhold
data necessary for good public or legal decision making.
5.The Illinois Natural History Survey's Status: Dr. Don Webb
reminded that his participation provides visibility into the IDNR.
He provided the required Annual Report which highlighted the
biota manuscript and amphipod status. He related that he was in
South Africa in November and working on the Spring Survey
during another meeting. He will be more diligent about obtaining an
alternate. There was discussion about amending the
Constitution/Bylaws to replace shall with may. It was stated that the
Illinois Natural History Survey had missed 3 consecutive meetings.
Dr. John Marquart's motion to not remove the Illinois Natural
History Survey's voting privileges passed unanimously.
6.ISS Projects: Gating of Burton Cave: David Mahon related
that the steel was obtained last week. The gating is planned for
Saturday and Sunday June 7-8. The cave is in Adams County near
Quincy. He explained that plenty of rod had been obtained. Several
people offered equipment. Philip Moss suggested that those
offering equipment or skills contact David directly. Foglepole Cave
Clean-up: Jim Sherrell proposed Saturday August 2 for this
activity. He will request a permit. The plan is to enter Foglepole
Cave and exit the Keller Entrance. To preserve amphipod habitat,
all wood, rotting logs, and leaf litter will be left undisturbed. The
endangered amphipods cannot be recognized by casual inspection.
Jim reported that last year 14 bags of trash were collected.
New Business
1.Annual Reports: All member organizations submitted annual
reports for 1996 in writing except for Jim Sherrell's oral report on
the activities of Meramec Valley Grotto.
2.Elections: It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously
after some discussion to retain the officers and members of the Data
Management Committee. Philip Moss is President, Joel Laws is
Vice-President, Philip Moss, Rick Toomey, and Jim Sherrell
compose the Data Management Committee.
3.Next Meeting: There was discussion about coinciding with
ISS Projects or MVOR. Jim Sherrell moved to hold the next
meeting at the Fall 1997 MVOR on Sunday at Noon. The motion
was seconded and passed unanimously. Jack Wood who is
handling the Fall MVOR 1997 site selection for Windy City Grotto
will determine the exact date and location. The Columbia Quarry at
the old village of Valmeyer is the leading candidate location. Jack
Wood will ensure that there is a suitable location for us to meet at
the site.
4.Web Page: Rick Toomey and Jerry Jeremiah will create and
maintain an ISS Web page including a logo. The Internet Presence
Committee requested direction regarding a logo for the ISS. They
were advised to choose at their discretion. Those with proposals
should submit soon. Suggestions or complaints should be directed
to Jerry Jeremiah.
5.Other groups that might be interested in the ISS: Discussion of
reaching other groups that might be interested in involvement with
the ISS. Suggestions include Walt Kelley at the Illinois State Water
Survey and the Illinois Caverns manager(s). Discussion of groups
that have not been responsive such as the Illinois State Geologic
Survey.
6.Karst spring location publication: Philip Moss explained that
increased care is needed regarding the handling of information
about the locations of springs. Proceedings of a ground water
conference revealed some exact locations of caves. The
recommended policy is to avoid the publication of exact cave
locations. Dr. Don Webb confirmed that the Illinois Natural History
Survey's policy is to avoid the publication of cave locations. He
explained that the fact that some spring locations are also cave
locations was overlooked. He related that in the future more care
will be taken with spring locations.
7.Discussion of changes to the ISS Constitution: Rick Toomey
has suggestions for some changes. The proposed changes must be
circulated in writing at least 45 days before the next meeting.
8.Waiver of the Database Maintenance Fee: Normally would be
paid to the Illinois State Museum Society. Rick Toomey reported
that this $200.00 fee will be waived again this year.
Meeting Adjourned
Presentations
The meeting was adjourned with presentations following by
Randy Heidorn and Debbie Newman of the Illinois Nature
Preserves Commission and Harry Hendrickson, a ground water
educator from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who is
proposing a Karst Watch program. Send suggestions (see contact
sheet). Special Use Permits must be obtained from Randy Heidorn
before any research or collection can be made on Illinois Nature
Preserves. There is no camping or fires permitted on Illinois Nature
Preserves. including the Armin Krueger Speleological Nature
Preserve.
[It is fairly obvious from the annual reports that this has not
been well followed in the past - Philip Moss]
A Message from the President
At the last meeting a number of maps were turned in to be
archived. These maps were drawn by Tony Schmitt (MVG), Philip
Moss (MVG), and Joe Nelson (LEG). We have also received maps
from Father Paul Wightman (ISS at-large) both drawn by him and
Wayne Finch (deceased). These are the only people who have
turned in maps to the best of my knowledge. I have locations from
Larry Cohen (ex-WCG) and Larry Peterson (ex-Little Egypt) Why
isn't your name on this list? Many of you may be confused. Even
though it is taking a while to get the electronic database up and
functioning, there is no reason not to be turning in hardcopy maps,
and any kind of data on diskette, such as survey notes, maps, and
research results. In the case of hardcopy maps, please send them on
plastic. If they are small format (11" x 17" or smaller) a paper copy
can be photocopied onto overheadtransparency material very easily.
On the large format maps, if they are not inked on mylar, they can
still bephotocopied onto film (Kinko's carries film 36" wide).
Please send the maps, flat or rolled, to Rick Toomey (seecontact
sheet). If putting them on plastic is too much for you, send them to
me and I will transfer them, but don'tbe lazy. I could be out finding
and mapping caves. Similarly, if you want help or advice on
inking, feel free to askme. There are several people who are caving
with me who have expressed an interest in practicing inking.
We have existed officially for two years and there has been a
depressing lack of submitted material. Please track down the people
you know that have finished maps and make a master copy to turn
in. Contact the people you know with unfinished maps and get
them to finish them.
Philip L. Moss
ISS President
Illinois Speleological Survey, Inc.
As of April 2000, this page is maintained by Steve Taylor. Please email sjtaylor@inhs.uiuc.edu with web page comments and corrections. All other correspondence should be addressed to the ISS via the president.
Page last modified 3 January 2002