[Geysers] OFVC Logbook -- Please Read

[Whitledge, Vicki M.]

I agree with Udo that it is time to start discussing and maintaining a GOSA logbook.  I'm not sure how it would work but we should start considering it.  I would suggest, though, that whatever we do, a copy of the year's activity should be submitted to the archive for preservation.

My experiences with trying to get times into the logbook have been mixed.  It really depended on who was at the desk when the attempt was made.  I was added to the list to enter data into the logbook but that didn't "stick".

On one memerable occasion, I attempted to have a note put into Lynn's mailbox for entry into the logbook.  The note was refused and it was refused by a long-time ranger not a new or inexperienced ranger.  Getting data into the logbook was often a much more difficult process in practice than one would expect.

Vicki Whitledge



________________________________
From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of GOSA Store [gosastore at roadrunner.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 8:34 PM
To: 'Geyser Observation Reports'
Subject: RE: [Geysers] OFVC Logbook -- Please Read

The Old Faithful Logbook is an official U.S. Federal Government document, not simply a notepad like the ones we carry around in the basins.  As such it isn’t to be treated lightly.  I’m fairly certain that access to the logbook falls under, among others, the Freedom of Information Act, which governs the public’s rights to access government documents.  U.S. Code 552 basically states that copies of any public record must be made available upon request, but may require payment of a fee for the cost incurred in copying.  Looking at original documents may be restricted for various reasons.  The responsible agency, in this case NPS, should have rules in place regarding access to their original documents.

In the past I have been told that I could not write in the log.  Fine, I have no problem with that and will share my personally collected data as I see fit.  I think now is a good time to discuss building and maintaining a GOSA logbook (preferably electronic) that is kept totally separate from NPS.

Udo Freund
GOSA Store
www.gosa.org<https://legacy.uwec.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>


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