My reply to his reply:
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Dennis,
I'd like to very sincerely thank you for taking the time to read and
address my comments. I realize that you're not able to engage every
comment fired your way, and expect that those comments are numerous. I
would like to make this brief additional reply.
The intent you outline -- authorized "caving with a purpose" with the
goal of furthering cave resource management -- is exactly what our
working group is aiming to establish on the Monongahela National
Forest.
However, I wish to point out that the MNF's Closure Order No.
09-21-13-13 also exempts "persons with permit specifically authorizing
the otherwise prohibited act". This verbiage only addresses the
problem in theory. In practice, the MNF has no policy in place to
issue such authorization, which means that 5 years have passed without
a single authorized cave trip on that Forest. I fear the same
procedural roadblock for your R8 Forests, with the added friction of a
region-level closure order rather than a forest-level one. Please
ensure that "caving with a purpose" may actually take place on the R8
Forests, in practice, not just on paper.
Again, thank you for taking the time to personally respond to my
comments. As I mentioned, I'd be more than happy to assist in any way
given my experience in working with the MNF, and I'll also give a
personal recommendation for Cindy Sandeno of the MNF, who can provide
documents and experience in working toward similar ends on the MNF.
- DR