Lincoln National Forest Cave Program
description
Transcript of Lincoln National Forest Cave Program
Lincoln National ForestCave Program
Public Meeting September 2011
Welcome to the Cave ProgramBeneath the surface of the Guadalupe Mountains are some of the most unique cave resources in the world. Lincoln National Forest
strives to provide wild caving experiences for the public in a remote setting while conserving cave resources for the future.
This public meeting is an opportunity for you to have input into the development of the Cave Program
Topics:• White Nose Syndrome• Targeted Cave Closures• Trip Leader Policy
• Cave Keys• Cave Inventory• Volunteer Opportunities
• Other Topics
White Nose Syndrome
•Sign a WNS Agreement•Photo of decontamination setup
People entering caves are required to follow decontamination procedures.How can Lincoln National Forest prove that people who enter caves
are following the decontamination procedures before they enter?
White Nose Syndrome Informationhttp://www.caves.org/region/swr/links.html
Targeted Cave Closures
Lincoln National Forest cannot issue recreational permits for caves that have a significant bat population
•Following WNS Interagency Response Plan for NM•Cottonwood Cave is one of the closures•Targeted Cave Closures are temporary, but will continue for 1+ years
Caves Open With Cave PermitBlack Cave
Little Beauty CaveRed Lake Cave
Pink Panther CavePink Dragon CaveHell Below Cave
Caves Considered for PermittingThree Fingers Cave
Virgin Cave
Trip Leader Policy
What Trip Leader policy best combines safety for cave resources, safety for the public, and promotes easy access caving for the public?
•3 levels of Trip Leader•Increase number of caves that require a Basic Trip Leader•Use Trip Leader Sign-off sheet•Enforce penalties to Trip Leaders and Trainer
Cave Keys
How should Lincoln National Forest ensure that keys are returned?
•All keys and permits should be turned in before leaving the Forest boundary •Enforce a penalty to people who do not return keys
Cave Inventory
What is the best way to document and inventory what is in each cave?
•Inventory sheet that allows specific notes to be recorded•Inventory database that converts to GIS map•Inventory database that has error correction
Station Notes
AP24 BF CG GC GF
AP25 / MM CG CG: appears to be endolite
AP26 / CS
AP27 / FO SF FO: coral or sea fan
GC = Gypsum CrustFO = FossilSF = Sponge FossilCS = Calcified Sediment
BF = Bedrock floorCG = Clay, GreenMM = MoonmilkGF = Gypsum Flower
Volunteer Opportunities
•Contact: Jason Walz [email protected] 575-885-7426•Hiking Opportunities•Cave Survey and Inventory Opportunities•Cave Watch•Organized Groups
•National Speleological Society (NSS)•NSS – Southwest Region: www.caves.org/region/swr•NSS – High Guads Restoration Project: www.hgrp.org•NSS – Pecos Valley Grotto: Pat Seiser, President
Other Topics?