[Nmcaver] Fort Stanton State Monument Ceremony 11 August

[Mike_Bilbo at nm.blm.gov]

FORT STANTON STATE MONUMENT PROCLAMATION

At 12 noon, 11 August 2007, Lt.Governor Diane Denish will formally announce
the creation of New Mexico's sixth and newest State Monument, Fort Stanton.
The ceremony will take place during the "Fort Stanton Live," celebration
and reenactment.

You are specially invited to this historic event. The support of the caving
community has been fundamental to the success of all the efforts to
preserve the old Fort for future generations. It was public opinion that
finally saved "the beautiful little fort on the Bonita," in Gen. Carleton's
words.

Those of us who have been involved in preserving the Fort from sale or
inappropriate development are deeply grateful for your unquestioning
support and we sincerely hope that you will join us for this important
event that has been so long in coming.

Four times during the day, I'll be presenting a 45-minute Snowy River
Update powerpoint that John Corcoran and I put together.  It documents the
dig, the quickness and accuracy of doing it (say, wasn't there a pool about
the depth and how long it would take?), and the surprise...