Moderator: Moderators
Evan G wrote:2011 National Speleological Society Convention Public Scoping Comments Due by April 8, 2011
Link to page
NSS 2011 Convention in Colorado wrote:At this afternoon’s Colorado White Nose Syndrome ad-hoc committee conference call, we received word from the USFS Region 2 office in Golden that participants of the NSS Convention will be permitted to visit selected caves in the White River National Forest during the convention. All visitors and gear will need to undergo the usual vigorous decontamination under this special use permit.
Richard R. wrote:Some great news for cavers participating at this summer's NSS Convention in Glenwood Springs, Colorado - the White River National Forest is allowing participants to visit selected caves during the convention (decon will be required). We received word this afternoon at the Colorado White Nose Syndrome ad-hoc committee conference call from Peter McDonald at the USFS Region 2 office in Golden.
Colorado Carl wrote:Guess I'll post this anyway. I received official notification this morning that an Exemption to the Emergency Closure Order has been approved by USFS Region 2. The permit for caving during the convention is now being processed by the White River National Forest.
There will be caving on US Forest Service land offered as part of the 2011 NSS Convention.
More details will be posted here on June 17th. Check the Convention website for an overview of plans for handling caving trips and WNS decontamination. Please, please, please comply with the WNS protocols we have agreed to in order to obtain an exemption to the Emergency Closure Order. Let's show everyone who will be scrutinizing us just how responsible NSS cavers are.
Carl
Cave trips coordinator for the 2011 NSS Convention
Evan G wrote:Hey Carl!
What caves will be opened to the NSS convention? Or will that be on the update June 17th?
Thanks Evan
What would a convention of cavers be without caves?
The U.S. Forest Service granted special permission Friday for the National Speleological Society to visit 17 caves in the White River National Forest during its conference July 18-21 in Glenwood Springs.
The caves and old mines in the White River and other national forests throughout the five-state Rocky Mountain Region have been off limits since July to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome. The disease has killed more than 1 million bats in the eastern half of the U.S. in the last three years. It hasn't been detected in Colorado yet.
The NSS sought an exemption from the closure during its convention. The organization submitted a long list of caves it wanted to visit. Forest Service staff worked with the organization to “whittle it down,” said Mike Kenealy, recreation special-uses coordinator for the White River.
The Forest Service will allow access only to caves where there is no evidence of bat use such as hibernation or maternity roosting, he said.
That will eliminate use of some of the most spectacular caves surrounding the Roaring Fork Valley. “Most of the long-chambered caves that cavers like to go in are also liked by bats,” Kenealy said.
Two popular caves that will remain off limits during the convention are Hubbard's Cave and Groaning Cave, both outside Glenwood Springs, according to Kenealy.
Many of the caves that the NSS will be allowed to visit are smaller, shallower caves. The visits must be guided. The number of trips will be limited, as will the number of cavers on each trip.
The NSS website says trips will have a maximum of eight participants, including the trip leader. Local cavers will serve as leaders.
The Bureau of Land Management will decide early next week whether to grant a special-use permit for access to three caves on land it manages, spokesman David Boyd said. In addition, the BLM is considering enacting access restrictions such as those already in place on national forests in the Rocky Mountains. There is no BLM ban currently in place. However, large groups like the NSS must get a special use permit for access.
The spectacular caves at Glenwood Caverns, which are privately owned, will also be available to the cavers.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users