1997 KARST AND CAVE MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM 13TH NATIONAL CAVE MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM Highlighting Forest Karst Ecosystems October 7-10, 1997, Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A

HOSTS: National Speleological Society American Cave Conservation Association Cave Research Foundation The Karst Waters Institute National Caves AssociationThe Nature ConservancyU. S. Forest Service U. S. National Park Service U.S. Bureau of Land Management U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

CO-SPONSORS: British Columbia Speleological Federation British Columbia Ministry of Forests Northwest Caving Association Oregon Grotto of the NSS Northwest Chapter of the ACCA Northwest Cave Research Institute BC Parks Bat Conservation International Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Richmond Area Speleological Society Western Forest Products Limited    Terra Associates      MacMillan Bloedel Limited    Canadian Forest Products Limited    The Record , Gold River

The Organizing Committee of the 1997 Karst and Cave Management Symposium (13th National Cave Management Symposium) is pleased to invite you to join us in Bellingham, Washington. Bellingham is located in the central part of a vast area of temperate coastal rain forest extending from northern California through southeast Alaska. Although the State of Washington is not generally known for its limestone caves, southeast Alaska and British Columbia have extensive karst development.

The Bellingham location provides a unique opportunity to add an international flavor to the National Cave Management Symposium. Both United States and Canadian individuals and agencies are actively involved in the Planning Committee, and we are encouraging international participation. The primary theme for this Symposium will be "Management of Karst Resources and Caves in Temperate Coastal Rain Forests." The rain forest ecosystem is not limited by international boundaries, and we do not want to limit the Symposium by any artificial constraints. The primary impacts on karst resources in this region result from timber harvesting, with associated road construction. Other pressures include recreational caving and commercial caving tours. In this Symposium, we hope to review past activities and their impacts and look ahead to different management techniques based on increased knowledge of the fragile nature of these resources. The United States Chairman for the Symposium is Rob Stitt (1417 9th Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119, USA, phone (206) 283-2283, e-mail rstitt@wingedseed.com ), and the Canadian Chairman is Paul Griffiths (544 Springbok Road, Campbell River, BC V9W 8A2 Canada, phone (250) 923-1311, e-mail pgriff@island.net).

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips will be arranged to provide participants with an opportunity to see first-hand some of the karst resources of the Pacific Northwest. Field trips will be conducted on Thursday, October 9, during a scheduled break in the symposium. Field trip participants will not be forced to choose between going on a field trip or attending paper sessions.

The primary field trip of the Symposium will be an opportunity to visit a region of temperate coastal rain forest karst near the northern end of Vancouver Island. Participants will be able to observe and study pristine karst areas as well as karst areas that have been affected by forest development activities. Because of the distance involved, we plan to fly from Bellingham to Port Hardy, travel through the karst areas by bus, and catch a return flight to Bellingham the same day.

If some symposium participants choose not to go to Vancouver Island, an alternative field trip will be provided to a karst area in the Chilliwack Valley on the mainland of British Columbia. This region is only about a one hour drive from Bellingham, but it offers spectacular scenery and rugged karst areas. Karst in the Chilliwack Valley has been subjected to a variety of pressures, including timber harvesting, road construction, and heavy recreational use.

Field trip costs are not included in the basic registration fee because of the great difference in transportation costs between the field trip locations. We have estimated the cost to the Vancouver Island trip at about US$150-200, which includes ground and air transportation, lunch, and dinner. Uncertainty in the number of participants makes it impossible to give a firm price at this time. We are also seeking grants from major sponsors cover part of the cost and reduce the expense to the participants. Participation on the trip will be on a first-come basis, and we may be limited to a maximum of 50 or 100 participants. To help us in planning, we are requesting a US$100 deposit for the field trip. Based on interest and financial support, we will set the final cost by June 30. If you are not accepted for the field trip because of space limitations, your deposit will be refunded. Payment in full for the field trip will be required by August 1. If not paid by that time, your place may be offered to someone else. Cancellations after August 1 will not be refunded.

The cost for the Chilliwack field trip will be US$25, to be added to your registration fee. We are not able to offer an early registration discount on either of these field trips.

A pre-Symposium field trip has been proposed to visit the karst areas of Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, if there is sufficient interest. This trip is planned to run from October 3 through 5. If you would be interested in this trip, please contact Jim Baichtal (USFS—Thorne Bay Ranger District, P. O. Box 1, Thorne Bay, Alaska 99919, USA, office phone (907) 826-3271, home phone (907) 828-3339, e-mail /S=J.BAICHTAL/OU1=R10F05D04A@mhs.fswa.attmail.com). Participants are expected to cover their own travel arrangements and expenses for this field trip. Check the box on the registration form to express your interest.

A post-Symposium field trip will be scheduled on Saturday, October 11 in the Mt. St. Helens vicinity of southwestern Washington. This trip features lava caves and basalt pseudo-karst features in a forested volcanic region. Jim and Libby Nieland plan to lead this trip (12178 Lewis River Road, Ariel, WA 98603, USA, e-mail jnieland@worldaccess.com, phone (360) 231-4298). Participants are also expected to cover their own travel arrangements and expenses for this field trip. Space is available for up to 20 persons. Check the box on the registration form to express your interest.

HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Headquarters for the Symposium will be at the Best Western Lakeway Inn (714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226, USA). Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-528-1234. Mention the Symposium for special room rates. The Lakeway Inn provides complete convention facilities, including meeting and exhibit rooms, banquet rooms, an informal restaurant, and an indoor pool and sauna. Rooms are also available at the Val-U Inn Motel (1-800-443-7777), within easy walking distance. Numerous other hotels are available in Bellingham, but would be farther from the Symposium meetings. Questions about local facilities should be directed to Dick Garnick (Official Symposium address: P.O. Box 28310, Bellingham, WA 98228-0310, USA, phone (360) 671-1066, e-mail rgarnick@nas.com).

Bellingham has an international airport with service by several commuter airlines, including Horizon Air and United Air Express. The usual rental car agencies are available at the airport. It might be less expensive to fly to SeaTac International Airport in Seattle and take a two hour bus ride to Bellingham. Vancouver International Airport is another alternative that might be convenient for Canadians. Vancouver is also accessible from a variety of major US hubs, and it is only about one hour from Bellingham.

REGISTRATION

The standard registration fee for this symposium will be US$100 (Can$130) if paid before July 31, 1997, and US$125 (Can$162.50) after that date. The registration fees for students will be US$75 (Can$97.50), not including banquet. The standard registration fee will include reception, banquet, field trip guidebook, and symposium proceedings. Field trip costs are not included. Daily registrations will be available for US$40 (Can$52) per day, and will not include reception, guidebook, banquet or proceedings. Hotel reservations must be made separately. Registration forms and checks (payable to National Cave Management Symposium in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars) should be directed to the 1997 Karst and Cave Management Symposium, P.O. Box 28310, Bellingham, WA 98228-0310, USA.

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