No, this is not new. This refers to the extension of the order this past August, which included visitation exemptions granted to members of the NSS and CRF.
In December, the U.S. Forest Service Region 2 solicited public comment on an Environmental Assessment that would guide the successor to the current order, which expires this August:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/home/?cid=stelprdb5319926.
Among others, Region 2 cavers, the Colorado Cave Survey, and the NSS filed formal comments:
http://www.caves.org/WNS/USFS%20Region%202%20EA%20Response%2012.12.21.pdf