GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT
1. Many of the papers presented at the symposium were given by Florida state officials who deal with groundwater issues. Because of the closeness of Florida's landscape to its aquifers, the state is forced to deal with contamination issues where other states may be procrastinating. Dr. Arthur describes a model the state is using to aid development decisions. It is important for us to understand where Missouri stands in this process and be prepared to share our data and offer our services where we can be of help.
2. Probably nothing of
direct benefit to CCC here. It illustrates that groundwater variances are not
always easily understood. The website gives more background and photos.
www.coastalkarst.org
3. What I noted on this project was the cave divers were using cave radios which seemed to be very portable, reliable and functional. They may have some knowledge that could be helpful to us. It is also possible that their transmitters do not need to be as powerful as ours due to their lack of depth. A name that kept recurring with regards to radios was Brian Pease, a former Navy sonar expert. He was not at the symposium, but he is well known to many of the attendees, if anyone is interested in talking with him.
4. This was an interesting study sampling for DEET in groundwater to identify reused water. DEET was used because it is a stable chemical which does not break down easily. A similar study of Carroll would need to establish a different chemical for a similar study since DEET is probably not as heavily used in its watershed.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
5. This appears to be a bureaucratic move to make sure everyone involved in groundwater issues is speaking the same language. Not sure about its overall value. I brought a copy home.
6. While some may consider the National Park Service the ultimate authority on cave management, this paper delivered by Dr. Bill Halliday, probably the most esteemed presenter of the week, was a direct assault on the practices of the NPS at Oregon Caves National Monument. His conclusion was the cave needed to be turned over to the U.S. Forest Service as the NPS has thoroughly mismanaged the cave. While I didn't necessarily agree with his conclusion, it illustrated that not all in the expanded caving community consider NPS a model worth emulating. It was not to be the only instance during the week either. Probably one third or better of the attendees were NPS employees. see http://www.nps.gov/orca/
7. Following Halliday's indictment of the NPS, NPS employee Jon Jasper discusses remediation efforts in Timpanogos Cave, Utah which some read as a tacit admission that the NPS had gone too far in accommodating tourists in the cave. There were a few pointed questions from the audience. see http://www.nps.gov/tica/
8. This may have been the most valuable presentation of the week as far as CCC is concerned. While the NPS may be overrated as a cave manager, the U.S. Forest Service may be worth a look. Dr. Lewis showed how USFS, the Indiana Karst Conservancy and his private consulting company developed a cohesive and comprehensive system for rating the many caves in the Hoosier National Forest. Some of these tools may be useful to us. Dr. Lewis gave me a copy of his Power Point presentation. see also http://www.caves.org/conservancy/ikc/
9. This paper showed the use of electronic devices in the cave to document features that needed to get into a broader database. This will undoubtedly be a tool useful in the exploration of Carroll. Bio and restoration in particular. There was no mention of mapping the cave by electronic means, but that may not be far in the future.
10. This paper describes the immense challenges of managing Carlsbad Caverns, NP. The focus was on achieving balance between access to the public and preservation of resources. It was a fairly straightforward presentation that could have been given to an audience of non cavers. There was one person in the audience who denounced the NPS for bowing to local pressure to get as many tourists as possible in the cave.
11. This presentation was not given. It is an obvious fact, however, that keeping duplicate records will spare an organization from having to re-do its work.
BIOLOGY
12. A familiar figure to many of us, Dr. Elliot gave examples of gating projects in Missouri and showed data on how they helped (or hurt) bat population growth. There were some examples of gates being more of a hindrance to bats than a help where the gates were promptly removed. It shows that if we do someday have the opportunity to gate the natural entrance of Carroll, we must have a preliminary bat count and a monitoring program in place to document the success of the effort.
I was able to spend quite of bit of time during the week visiting with Dr. E. I was curious about his take on the success of using volunteers from MVOR on a project trip into Great Spirit Cave. I went into GS with him a couple of years ago, just before its gating, and he had indicated that MDC would be very selective about the cavers who went into GS due to its diverse protection needs. I was surprised when it was offered as an MVOR trip. Bill said the MVOR was a success. The cavers who volunteered on the project were very focused on results and more was accomplished than he'd expected. He said he'd be willing to do another such venture in the future. This example supports the belief that the instincts of the CCC Board were right in seeing positive gains from MVOR participation. Still, we were probably premature on the Spring 2003 event since the entrance was not completed and our programs were not fully developed and defined.
13. This is the only paper given during the week that went far over my head. The presenter was half way through the talk before I figured out that what the project was trying to achieve was firm evidence of bacterial activity in the formation of Mammoth Cave. Of course, if someone wishes to conduct a similar study in Carroll, we should be receptive, but there are probably caves in the area which would be more accommodating.
14. This is a study worth considering in Carroll. Mercury is deposited on the soil primarily from ash from power plants and waste incinerators. It is then washed into cave streams by rainwater. Cave biota are particularly sensitive to mercury poisoning. An illustration that what goes on in the watershed of a cave can be more threatening than human impact in the cave.
15. Dr. Lewis' second presentation. This paper might be of interest to our bio group. There may be some tools or models worth reviewing.
16. Philip Moss, colleague of Tom Aley of the Ozark Underground Laboratory, introduces in his presentation the concept of "presumptive habitat". Meaning that we should presume cave fauna, at least of the aquatic type, we are able to observe in caves could also exist in areas we are unable to explore and argues that environmental policy should reflect that presumption. I'm a bit perplexed about the practical value of this concept, since we already know that the water quality of the recharge area is critical to the cave critters we can observe. I'm not sure what more can be done utilizing this concept. I did not get a chance to discuss it with Philip, but I did get to meet him and he was impressed that a conservancy (CCC was the only one aside from the Nature Conservancy) sent someone to the symposium. He pointed out that none of the NSS cave preserves had anyone in attendance either.
17. This paper is similar to Philip's in that it invites us to take a new perspective on what land mass needs to be protected in order to insure that the cave and its fauna are also protected. The purpose of this project was to determine the foraging range for a cave cricket, then make a case for managing that specific land area. Typically it's only a cave's watershed that is taken into consideration.
EDUCATION
18. This was a well done presentation showing how non caving groups, the Girl Scouts in this instance, could provide support for cave conservation. Probably not applicable to Carroll due to the advanced requirements of either entrance, but something to consider for surface projects.
19. Louise Hose describes the formation of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute. It struck me as an institution with many growing pains and still in search of its ultimate mission. When they do become established, they could prove to be a valuable resource to a variety of caving groups. There was no discussion of the controversial decision to move the NSS library to NCKRI.
20. Ms. Lindberg has a unique job as an urban karst expert, hired to educate both city officials and the general public on karst issues. There seems to be much hard work in educating non cavers on these issues, but there are also tangible results. Many of the subsequent papers also have the same theme of partnerships for karst protection.
21. Another paper stressing the importance of educating the public on karst conservation. Ms. Zokaites is the prime force behind Operation Underground which takes karst education into the classroom in public schools.
POSTER SESSIONS
There were no formal presentations on these three "poster sessions". There were posters on different projects displayed in the conference room on the last morning of the symposium. This was to give the attendees flexibility in checking out of their rooms and preparing to leave Gainesville. I did not have any one-on-one exchanges with the sponsors of the posters.
MANAGEMENT
22. Jim Kennedy of BCI gives a presentation on restoring cave conditions to suit Indiana bats in caves which have been altered by people for various purposes. Nothing of direct relevance to CCC in this case. Jim has had some involvement with us in the past during a failed attempt to persuade the Pembertons to cooperate on getting a new gate on Carroll. He remains interested in helping wherever he can. We had some private discussions about bat monitoring systems. He would be a valuable resource if we establish a program for monitoring and protecting bats in Carroll.
23. Rick Olson, Cave Specialist with NPS, describes a project where several groups came together to do surface clean up in areas affecting Mammoth Cave. Another illustration of how people can be recruited to help in big projects if the proper leadership is there.
24. This presentation encourages a look at "the big picture" in cave and karst management. As in some of the other talks, a look beyond watershed issues was taken.
Summary of learning and benefits.
Much of the material at the symposium was geared toward management of caves on public land. In many ways, CCC does not have the advantages of an agency manager (e.g. the ability to dictate land use policy) or certain disadvantages such as accommodating general public access. Many of the talks centered on looking at management issues through different perspectives and thinking "outside the box". Some of those had more practical application than others. Many talks were on the importance of educating the general public on karst issues. Our upcoming Open House for the area residents should be a good starting point in that effort. And we must make sure we have a strategy for ongoing education and relationships. Many residents of area are suspicious or distrustful of the MDC or DNR. They may see us in the same light we'll need to be prepared to deal with various perceptions.
A few people were pleasantly surprised that a conservancy would send someone to the symposium. There was one vendor present, SpeleoBooks, and I did some browsing of the printed material and made some notes on what might be useful. Michael Warner of Speleobooks extended an invitation to attend the 2004 National Cave Conservancies Forum April 15-17, Lewisburg, WV. Conservancies are expected to "make an introductory presentation on the status of their organization." Papers are also invited. I recommend we send someone to this. Events such as this may be of more direct benefit to CCC than attending symposia. The pre registration fee is $45. There will be some caving involved as well.
List of printed material that could be of use as a management or educational tool:
Recommendations and Guidelines for
Managing Caves on Protected Lands
A manual prepared to provide guidance for managers of protected lands that fall
under the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act of 1988, which should also be of
use to anyone involved with managing caves owned by land trusts, states or
private organizations. Published by the KWI. 2003, 96 pp., pb. $16.00
The Protection Of The Subterranean
Environment:
Conservation Principles And Management
Raymond Tercafs has written the first book exclusively on the protection and
management of underground habitats. Includes 12 chapters on issues including
biospeleology, karst kinetics, causes of deterioration of subterranean habitats
and fauna, and much more. The conclusions leave the reader to meditate the
difference between conservation and protection. Includes a 70 page bibliography.
2001, 400 pp., pb, $75.00
Living On Karst (Video)
Excellent for educational use in karst areas. By von Cramon, 18 min. 2002.
$18.00
Living With Karst
A well illustrated booklet which discusses karst related environmental and
engineering concerns with guidelines for living with karst. Extensive lists of
additional information. Includes poster. 64pp, pb, by notable researchers in the
karst world including Veni, DuChene, Crawford, Groves, Huppert, Kastening,
Olson, and Wheeler. $6.00
Project Underground
A Natural Resources Education Guide, Second Edition
Classroom activities about caves and related karst regions. Emphasizing
biological, geological, hydrological and historical diversities and values.
Edited by Carol Zokaites, 130 pp, 2000, pb. $25.00
Guidelines for Cave and Karst
Protection
The primary aim of the guidelines is to increase awareness of cave and Karst
protection issues. Ed by J. Watson, E. Hamilton-Smith, D. Gillieson and K.
Kiernan for the Working Group on Cave and Karst Protection and the World
Conservation Union. 1997, pb, 53pp, $20.00
Living On Karst
A reference guide for landowners in limestone regions by The Cave Conservancy of
the Virginias. 25 pp, Ed.by Carol Zokaites, 1997, pb. Free w/any purchase or
$1.00 shipping alone.
The National Cave Management Symposium
Proceedings
These proceedings are used throughout the country by cave managers &
conservationists. Proceeding are always published. I'm not sure when the 2003
book will be out.
other publications can be found at http://www.speleobooks.com/