The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM at the home of Jay Herbein, Harrisburg, PA.

Secretary's Report:
Franklin County Grotto moved to accept the minutes as published. Greater Allentown Grotto seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report:
Printed copies were distributed. Andrew Churlik moved to accept. Chris "Foom" Sanders seconded. Motion passed.

MAR Breakdown Report:
A call was made for articles.

Field Meets:

Spring 1997:
Will be hosted by the Franklin County Grotto. Fliers were distributed. Surveying trips are planned. Assistance needed from experienced cavers. Plans are to make maps on site.

Fall 1997:
Will be hosted by Philly Grotto on Columbus Day Weekend in conjunction with their 50th anniversary celebration. A geology field trip is planned. Doug Medville will be the guest speaker at the dinner.

MAR Bulletins:

Will White reported:

Fayette County:
Is in progress and a draft copy exists.

CCLUM (Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Union, and Montour counties):
Is nearly complete.

Huntingdon County:
Needs updating.

Blair County:
Needs updating.

Editorial Policy is extremely flexible.

Old Business:

Hosterman's Pit:
No update from that printed in the January MAR Breakdown, Vol. 11, Number 2.

Hillside Quarry:
Hearings are in progress. Then postponement until May. Copperhead Cave has been saved. Case may conclude this year. 3 civil suits are pending.

Pennsylvania Cave Database:
A copy was at the meeting. The committee is to take over the project of working on cave definitions for PA. Proposed guidelines were circulated. Refinements may be made. Two lists will be developed based on the definitions. The "official cave", and the FRO's (For Reference Only). Number of "official" caves in the database -937.

Harlansburg Cave map will be published. Only one-half of the cave has been mapped.

Cave Conservation:
Signs are still available at $10. 1 sign is still available for installation, courtesy of the Baltimore Grotto.

Cave Register:
No report.

ER-NCRC:
No report.

Pennsylvania Game Commission:

Schofer Cave
Plan was submitted. No official reply has been received. Unofficially, the plan is sitting on a desk in Land Management. It is not exactly what the Game Commission wants. It eas suggested that a representative be contacted and inquire why there has been no action. Comments are needed from the Game Commission so they can be incorporated to make the plan acceptable to both parties. The two year moratorium on caving has expired. Getting theis one through will enable the movement of other plans, i.e. Strangford Cave. A liaison is needed for the Game Commission.

Aitkin Cave
Bat count found Indiana Bats are back. The cave is accessible for summer caving.

2000 NSS Convention:
Plans are in progress to develop a bid in the Westmoreland/Fayette County area.

Procedures for Election:
Results from canvassing the region grottos, the majority of those responding are in favor of mail-in ballots if an election does not take place at the Fall Meet. Based on the ratification by the grottos, the By-Laws will be changed.

Incorporation:
The option of incorporating as a non-profit organization rather than as a business is being investigated, as well as incorporating in another state.

Westmoreland Bulletin (MAR Bulletin #20):
Bert Ashbrook moved that 5 additional copies (total of 10) be turned over to Kim Metzger to distribute as gratis copies. Keith Christensen seconded. Motion passed.

York County Bulletin
John Rosenfeld reported there are 50+ caves. Field work may be completed this year. Projected two years to completion.

Break -2:30-3:00 PM

New Business:

Conservation Directory of Pennsylvania:
This publication is distributed to highway planners, et. al. Listings are free and it was suggested that all PA Grottoes add their group to the directory.

Pennsylvania Biological Survey:
Information for publication in the MAR Breakdown. Pennsylvania Herpetological Society project reports on what's found and the conditions they are living in.

MAR Breakdown:
Deadline for submissions is the end of March.

Driebilbis Cave:
The cave is open for sport caving via the Philly Grotto (Joe Durant) or Commander Cody Cave Club (Mike Mostardy). Keys will be issued to NSS members only. Everyone must follow the policy and guidelines. On every trip, a bat count must be taken and the locations noted on the map. There are plans for a conservation project, including: a plant study, mineral resources study, geological study, and a water seepeage study on the site. The owner will be building a house on the property. There will be no night caving. Trips are limited to 7 people, lock will be changed periodically. A cleanup is planned.

Trout Rocks:
The bat counts are up in all 3 caves.

MAR Historical Material:
Material has been put in scrapbooks by Dale Ibberson and were at the meeting.

Sugar Valley:
The first Gammarus amphipod discovered in North America was found in a resurgence.

1998 Spring Field Meet:
Will be hosted by Greater Allentown Grotto.

1998 Fall Field Meet:
Will be hosted by Nittany Grotto.

Next MAR Business Meeting:
Next meeting -February 28, 1998.

Party to follow the meeting at Dale Ibberson's. 50 year old films from Alexander Caverns will be shown.

Motion to adjourn was made by Craig Hindman. Seconded by Bob Gulden. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 3:35 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Tiderman
MAR Recording Secretary

Representatives at the meeting:
(41 persons in attendance)

• Bald Eagle
• Baltimore Grotto
• Commander Cody Caving Club
• Franklin County Grotto
• Greater Allentown Grotto
• Huntingdon County Cave Hunters
• Nittany Grotto
• Philadelphia Grotto
• York Grotto