U . S . Geological Survey Karst Interest Group

Congress mandated the establishment of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in October 1998 to further the science of speleology by facilitating research, to enhance public education, and to promote environmentally sound cave and karst management. Considerable progress has been made during the tenure of the Interim Director (2000-2002) toward making the Institute operational. The scope of operation has been defined, and the organizational structure has been designed and approved. Numerous informal partnerships have been formed and formal cooperative agreements are being negotiated and signed. Federal and state matching funds for operating the Institute have been appropriated and staff recruitment is beginning. Initial funding for a building has been appropriated and the design is being discussed. Several research, inventory, and informational projects have been initiated. BACKGROUND Congress mandated the establishment of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in October 1998 (Public Law 105-325) under the direction of the National Park Service. The Act stipulated that the Institute will be located in the vicinity of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico (but not inside Park boundaries), and that the Institute cannot spend Federal funds without a match of non-Federal funds. The mission of the Institute is to further the science of speleology by facilitating research, to enhance public education, and to promote environmentally sound cave and karst management. The goals of the Institute are to: • Further the science of speleology through coordination and facilitation of research. • Provide a point-of-contact for dealing with cave and karst issues by providing analysis and synthesis of speleological information and serving as a repository of information. • Foster partnerships and cooperation in cave and karst research, education, and management programs. • Promote and conduct cave and karst educational programs. • Promote national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for the benefit of caves and karst landforms and systems. • Develop and promote environmentally sound and sustainable cave and karst management practices, and provide information for applying these practices. PROGRESS IN ORGANIZING AND FUNDING Key activities during the interim period (2000-2002) were defining the scope of operation, designing an organizational structure, forming partnerships, finding funding sources and a physical facility, and defining research needs. Considerable progress has been made in all these areas toward making the Institute operational. The Institute will require about 12 employees to fully accomplish the goals. Those include the lead positions of Director, Science Coordinator, Education Coordinator, and Information Coordinator, and support staff under their direction. Voluntary advisory boards made up of representatives from a range of disciplines and organizations will play an important role in guiding the scientific and educational undertakings of the Institute. The Institute staff will not conduct research but will guide, focus, and encourage research through grants and partnerships. A primary function of the Institute will be to accumulate and organize data and information to make it accessible to investigators and for the Institute staff to use for synthesis of information on