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 jawalz@fs.fed.us 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

cavewench@windstream.net

Other Topics?