1. Lincoln National Forest Cave Program
Public Meeting
September 2011

2. Welcome to the Cave Program
Beneath the surface of the Guadalupe Mountains are some of the most unique cave resources in the world. Lincoln National Forest strives to provide wild caving experiences for the public in a remote setting while conserving cave resources for the future.
This public meeting is an opportunity for you to have input
into the development of the Cave Program
Topics:
White Nose Syndrome
Targeted Cave Closures
Trip Leader Policy
Cave Keys
Cave Inventory
Volunteer Opportunities
Other Topics

3. White Nose Syndrome
People entering caves are required to follow decontamination procedures.
How can Lincoln National Forest prove that people who enter caves
are following the decontamination procedures before they enter?
Sign a WNS Agreement
Photo of decontamination setup
White Nose Syndrome Information

4. Targeted Cave Closures
Lincoln National Forest cannot issue recreational permits for caves that have
a significant bat population
Following WNS Interagency Response Plan for NM
Cottonwood Cave is one of the closures
Targeted Cave Closures are temporary, but will continue for 1+ years
Caves Open With Cave Permit
Black Cave
Little Beauty Cave
Red Lake Cave
Pink Panther Cave
Pink Dragon Cave
Hell Below Cave
Caves Considered for Permitting
Three Fingers Cave
Virgin Cave

5. public, and promotes easy access caving for the public?
Trip Leader Policy
What Trip Leader policy best combines safety for cave resources, safety for the
public, and promotes easy access caving for the public?
3 levels of Trip Leader
Increase number of caves that require a Basic Trip Leader
Use Trip Leader Sign-off sheet
Enforce penalties to Trip Leaders and Trainer

6. How should Lincoln National Forest ensure that keys are returned?
Cave Keys
How should Lincoln National Forest ensure that keys are returned?
All keys and permits should be turned in before leaving the Forest boundary
Enforce a penalty to people who do not return keys

7. Cave Inventory
What is the best way to document and inventory what is in each cave?
Inventory sheet that allows specific notes to be recorded
Inventory database that converts to GIS map
Inventory database that has error correction
Station
Notes
AP24 BF CG GC GF
AP25 / MM
CG: appears to be endolite
AP26 CS
AP27 FO SF
FO: coral or sea fan
GC = Gypsum Crust
FO = Fossil
SF = Sponge Fossil
CS = Calcified Sediment
BF = Bedrock floor
CG = Clay, Green
MM = Moonmilk
GF = Gypsum Flower

8. Volunteer Opportunities
Contact: Jason Walz
Hiking Opportunities
Cave Survey and Inventory Opportunities
Cave Watch
Organized Groups
National Speleological Society (NSS)
NSS – Southwest Region:
NSS – High Guads Restoration Project:
NSS – Pecos Valley Grotto: Pat Seiser, President

9. Other Topics?