by GroundquestMSA » Jan 7, 2017 10:37 pm
Where are they asking these questions Curt? And why?
Over the past few years I have corresponded with several government officials about decontamination and the wisdom of cave closures in Ohio. They do seem to be behind in an understanding of the most recent science-based conclusions. For example, at a recent meeting with a land conservation group, (which I attended as a "guide" around a cave considered for purchase) a USFWS bat biologist informed the group, matter-of-factly, that cavers do and are spreading WNS, which I reckon is the party line. Elsewhere, I have had state-issued research permits rescinded because of a report of WNS. No one volunteered to explain the logic behind this decision, and my attempts to begin a conversation on the topic were ignored.
But you are right, Ohio cavers are almost exclusively unaffected by any ODoW decisions regarding caves, as 90% are on private land and besides, and very few are ever visited by cavers. This is especially true since WUSS' activity has slowed dramatically