GCHBA Board Meeting 4-18-2004

Attendees:

Jim Lyons
Kathy Lyons
Hazel Clark
Tom Martin
Lynn Davis
Pat Davis
Hank Schnieder
Cindy Kleist
Doug Nering
Mike Coltrin
Gene Fowler
Wayne George

President Doug Nering called the meeting to order.

It was determined that a quorum of board members was present. (Tom Martin, Pat Davis, Hank Schnieder, Cindy Kleist, Doug Nering)

The agenda was presented to include the following

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Activities report from wilderness committee
3. Report from website group
4. Discussion of meals and gloves for project work crews
5. Hazel Clark on the "Park Ranger" book
6. Project committee report

The minutes of the October, 2003 meeting were approved without being read. The minutes had been published and read by all concerned. Pat Davis moved that they be accepted as written. Hank Schnieder seconded. It was passed unanimously by a vote by board members.

Mike Coltrin presented a project activity report. The project following this meeting is to be at Cottonwood, with 9 workers. The workers will hike in from the North side, and work through Wednesday. The work to be done includes painting, windows, and weed removal. Thursday will be a day for hiking, and Friday the group will hike out. An upcoming project is the cemetery cleanup with the Historical Society. This will be Saturday, August 21, and will be about two hours. Mike said that he would be unable to attend this project, but can set everything up. He will need someone to coordinate with the revegetation folks. The project to follow the October, 2004 meeting is not set yet. Mike said that the revegetation do not want to do Indian Garden, but would do another location, perhaps Hance Creek. The Backcountry Rangers said that they might have some sort of project we could do at Indian Garden. Mike may have schedule conflicts that prevent him from attending the October project, so may need someone to take charge of this project. Discussion concerning projects followed Mike's report. Doug Nering feels that if we had more than one project coordinator so that the entire project coordination burden wasn't solely on Mike.

We discussed things we might do informally for GCNP. Mike said that the Park Service does not want the GCHBA to be "on patrol" as such, but would appreciate very much if we report problems we might see while traveling in Grand Canyon, such as damaged campsites or down trees blocking trails. Several possibilities were brought up during discussion of future projects. The Dripping Springs trail is almost gone (from the trailhead to the springs). The Sweetheart Springs marker was overturned and broken. We can all keep a lookout for things that could make a suitable group project, keeping in mind that backcountry projects are harder to coordinate and carry out than corridor projects, due to the remoteness of these areas.

Gene Fowler asked if there was a planned Trails Day project. Mike said there was no planned project as yet.

There was discussion regarding meals and gloves for the work project workers. Pat Davis proposed raising the meal expenditure by GCHBA from $5 to $7 per day per worker. This is basically the only expense for GCHBA for the projects, since transportation of food to the project by mule is donated by the Park Service. The meals provided are breakfast and dinner, with lunch and snacks provided by each worker for himself. Tom Martin moved that the allowance be raised from $5 to $7, and Hank Schnieder seconded. The motion was passed unanimously by a show of hands of board members.

There was discussion of gloves for the workers, and whether they should be provided by GCHBA. The issue of keeping track of gloves owned by GCHBA was brought up, as well as the fact that the Park Service should be providing gloves as well as tools for the workers. It was decided that this expectation should be brought to the attention of the Park Service prior to the project so they have sufficient time to provide for tool and glove needs

Hazel Clark gave information about "Park Ranger", a book of "True Stories from a Ranger's Career in America's National Parks", which may be of interest to group members. The book is by Nancy Eileen Muleady-Mecham. Some of the included stories are about Grand Canyon. The book is available in paperback from www.vishnutemplepress.com or by mail from the Vishnu Temple Press.

Tom Martin presented some information on the Wilderness Act. The proposal went from park to park service, and eventually to Congress. The proposal includes Grand Canyon wilderness and affects the river and backcountry. It got to the Secretary of the Interior, and stalled. The Park revisited the proposal in 1993. The non-contentious parts of the act have been approved. The Park is to manage the backcountry as is until the other issues have been dealt with. The backcountry already is wilderness. Four discussion papers appear in the March/April issue of Footprints outlining aspects and issues of the Wilderness Act that are well worth reading.

Doug Nering stated that opinions within the GCHBA are needed about wilderness issues. There are many ways to look at it. The Act can affect access to trailheads, and how the Park Service can manage, and where. The River issue has been a block to further progress. Doug hopes that the GCHBA can be an organization that presents a broad and consensual view regarding the Wilderness Act. The GCHBA needs an organizational identity. We need to decide what we stand for, and present a clear message of our purpose and position on issues affecting hiking in Grand Canyon, such as permits and the wilderness issues.

The GCHBA website was discussed. It was decided that the home page needs a "new look", and other pages need changes as well. The back copies of Footprints will be made available to visitors. The current copy will be available only to members. Gene Fowler and Cindy Kleist will work on this. Also, the events need to be described in more detail and pictures provided. GCHBA T-shirts are now available for purchase on the website with your credit card or PayPal account.

Pat Davis had samples of a new poster for the GCHBA in two sizes for distribution by members to local outdoor gear stores. Some members took copies to put up in stores near their homes.

Board member elections will be held at the October meeting. Pat Davis will head the election committee. Paper ballots will be mailed to members paid through the election date. Any member who has interest and can attend meetings is eligible. It was suggested that candidates can submit statements, which will be printed in the Footprints newsletter, and posted on the Yahoo forum. It was decided to look into some form of Internet voting, but we will stick with paper ballots for now.

The next board meeting will be on October 17, 2004 at 10:00 at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center.

A motion for adjournment was made by Hank Schnieder, and seconded by Pat Davis. The motion was accepted unanimously.

An informal circle discussion followed the meeting. Attendees introduced themselves and gave a brief summary of their Grand Canyon experiences. There was discussion of what each would like from the GCHBA. There was agreement on the GCHBA helping to protect the wilderness status of the GC backcountry, and the GCHBA continuing information on desert hiking, routes, water supplies and other information specific to Grand Canyon hiking and backpacking to new and seasoned hikers alike.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy George
GCHBA Secretary