Cavechat.org

One organization, the Vermont-based Center for Biological Diversity, urged the Forest Service not to lift its ban for the NSS. Mollie Matteson, conservation advocate with the organization, said she understands the Forest Service decision but still has concerns.

The convention was going to take place regardless of whether the Forest Service would allow access to caves in the national forest, Matteson said. The cavers have access to caves on private land and BLM areas, so the Forest Service apparently didn't feel a restriction on its lands would have much effect, she said. She credited the Forest Service with the conditions it approved on access.

Matteson was also generally complimentary of NSS education efforts and the precautions it is taking. Nevertheless, she would like to see cavers avoid caves until more is known about white nose syndrome.

“Is it worth the risk to go caving when you could be moving this fungus around unknowingly?” she asked.

NZcaver wrote:Interesting last few paragraphs...

The convention was going to take place regardless of whether the Forest Service would allow access to caves in the national forest, Matteson said. The cavers have access to caves on private land and BLM areas, so the Forest Service apparently didn't feel a restriction on its lands would have much effect, she said. She credited the Forest Service with the conditions it approved on access.

Matteson was also generally complimentary of NSS education efforts and the precautions it is taking. Nevertheless, she would like to see cavers avoid caves until more is known about white nose syndrome.

“Is it worth the risk to go caving when you could be moving this fungus around unknowingly?” she asked.