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September 29, 2002
Endless Caverns, VA
Meeting was called to order at 9:05
Reports
The Secretary - Carol Tiderman
A motion was made by BATS to accept the minutes as published in the Region Record. Sligo Grotto seconded. Motion passed.
The Treasurer - John Fox
A financial report was presented. DC Grotto moved to accept the Treasurers Report. Blue Ridge seconded. Motion passed
The Vice Chair - Judy Fisher
No report.
The Chairman - Craig Hindman
No report.
Conservation Chair - Andy Reeder
Bowden Cave - Cleanup is temporarily suspended
Island Ford Cave
The draft of the Island Ford Management Plan is complete.
New River Trail - The plan is written.
Conservation Report form is available - need feedback. Will advertise on the VAR site
Goodwin's Cave Management - Blue Ridge
The cave is doing fine. The bat population has not increased.
Staunton Cave - Ted Andrus
No report
VAR Outstanding Service Award - Meredith Hall Johnson
Presented to Miles Drake, Fred Grady and Phil Lucas. Write-ups need to accompany nominations
Landowner Recognition Awards - Don Anderson
There were 2 nominations. Dr. Webb Giles County Giant Cave. Upper Valley Regional Park Authority - Grand Caverns
Landowner Legal Support Committee - Bob Hoke
No news
Region Record - Bob Hoke
Deadline Dec. 15th - need materiel
Patch Committee - Ernst Kastning
No report
VAR List Server - Walt Pirie
There has been a surge of sign-ups. Approx. 200 members. The site has a virus filter. Has a spam filter but some does get through.
VAR Web site - Jim McConkey
Jim McConkey has taken over maintaining the site. VPI moves to expresses appreciation to Vitas for setting up and maintaining the web site and event page. Sligo seconded. Motion passed. The site is being redesigned and updated. If something is not working please report it to Jim. Please check your grotto contact information. Will include Regional events page and Surveys.
Cave Bucks - J. C. Fisher
Is alive and well - Tri-State pushing 3K
VSS - Phil Lucas
4056 caves in VA. 447 miles increase of 18 miles in 118 caves 71 new maps. The primary function of the VSS is data collection. The Virginia Cellars is back on schedule. Contact at VACAVES.org
WVSS - Jeff Bray
Report finds. There are over 3900
History of the Region - Mary Sue Sockey & Meredith Hall Johnson
Getting a lot of material. WVCS offered access to material. Questionnaires are available from the web site
West Virginia Cave Conservancy - Bob Handley
Almost into Maxwelton - there is a lot of breakdown and air flow Persinger Cave in litigation. Bone Cave - promised - in litigation - others close - to be announced Cheat Canyon to be transferred to state - want to maintain status quo - letter writing campaign may be needed Notify if some caves are available. Will accept Va. caves.
New Dixie - Blue Ridge Grotto
On hold. One more trip should finish the survey.
VA Karst Program - Joey Fagan
Very busy - There is a project to define Conservation Site Boundaries around Virginia’s Significant Caves BATS moves VAR support the nomination of these 5 caves for protected status and continued support - Starr Chapel Saltpetre, Kelly, Rocky Hollow, Shires Saltpetre, Millers Cave. VPI seconded - motion passed VPI moves to communicate the information on support. Bubble Cave LLC seconded - motion passed
SCCI - Walt Pirie
Wolf River Cave preserve - 8 miles of cave - was bought at auction- There was support from the Nature Conservancy and BCI.
CCV - Bob Handley
A meeting will follow this meeting/ CCV & the NSS met with representatives from Grand Caverns. - Dave Leatherwood. They toured the property. There is a need to build a grate to cover over the original entrance. It needs to be bat friendly. BATS may adopt this as a project. VAR will incorporate this as a part of the spring project. CCV will fund the gate (15 x 10) The cave could close due to lack of funding. The need operating funding. The stone building is for sale. This is the oldest continually operating commercial cave in the US. BATS will get exact dimensions for the gate.
Host Grotto Report
345 registered - 161 pre registered 180-200 went caving New River moved to thank BATS & FROG. VPI seconded - motion passed
Old Business
Host for Spring 03 - DC & PSC
May 10-12 at the OTR site.
Host for Fall 03 - Front Royal
location to be announced
Host for Spring 04 - Tri-State
location to be announced
New Business
Host Grotto for the Fall 04 Meeting - no volunteers
Great X VPI moves The VAR supports the concept that the NSS acquires Great X Cave. Bubble Cave LLC seconded - motion passed
Caving Safely Brochures are available
Pigeon Mountain Flowing Stone a 224’ pit - a letter writing campaign in place - this is an election issue - to limit a quarry permit & preserve the cave
Grant Requestsnone
Elections Bubble Cave LLC moved to reelect the current slate of officers. VPI seconded - unanimous
Announcements
James Cave - letters went out to scouts & church groups- visitation down New problem - Hickman Cemetery is duping excess dirt in the sinkhole
Cave week material is available- 6 minute spot on National Geographic Television
Return name tags
Jim Hixson is in nursing home - visit if you can. Briar Nursing Home in Lewisburg WV. Davis Stewart Road,
BATS moved to adjourn. Bubble Cave LLC seconded Meeting adjourned at 12:52
Respectfully submitted:
Carol Tiderman