[PBSS] Fw: Cave SAR Workshop at the UCO Selman Living Lab
- Original Message - From: William Caire Cc: naa...@windstream.net ; r...@creekcountyems.com ; greg.r...@reactems.com ; rebec...@mcems.us ; jjohn...@lifeemsinc.com ; raylees...@aol.com ; a...@emsa.net ; wwco...@sbcglobal.net ; es...@nrh-ok.com ; lancaster.b...@ymail.com ; bhar...@soas.net ; slat...@aol.com ; slat...@aol.com ; ruralfire...@grandgateway.org ; emo...@eoddok.org ; ad...@keddo.org ; fddirec...@soda-ok.org ; firedo...@hotmail.com ; dbl...@incog.org ; ce...@nodanet.org ; sandhil...@aol.com ; brin...@ascog.org ; markgard...@swoda.org ; oedaf...@ptsi.net ; o...@osfa.info ; wa...@cleet.state.ok.us ; swall...@ocda.org ; wol...@gmail.com ; k...@caves.org ; tim...@cox.net ; kswordsm...@msn.com ; chair...@cavetexas.org ; saf...@cavetexas.org ; proje...@cavetexas.org ; webmas...@caver.net ; p...@caver.net. ; bigredfo...@yahoo.com ; blandev...@comcast.net ; cptcave...@windstrean.net ; chaz...@msn.com ; david.tho...@lyon.edu ; hira.herring...@lyon.edu ; kelsey.w...@lyon.edu ; jannettetho...@sbcglobal.net ; nora.gn...@lyon.edu ; wacmeu...@hotmail.com ; caverd...@go.com ; davetay...@caves.org ; batlcav...@wmconnect.com ; batlcav...@wmconnect.com ; muviduder...@hotmail.com ; muviduder...@hotmail.com ; rdmilhol...@yahoo.com ; diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu ; diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu ; jjor...@texoma.net ; t.ca...@comcast.net ; bpull...@duckwood.net ; eastf...@live.com ; eastf...@live.com ; soliton.oc...@gmail.com ; b...@caves.org ; white.trash.m...@gmail.com ; jared.sick...@gmail.com ; kaylanoe...@gmail.com ; jbartlet...@gmail.com ; boz...@cox.net ; cfo...@theshop.net ; webmas...@starcreek.org ; jennla...@cox.net ; kristy_wic...@yahoo.com ; bdoer...@gmail.com Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2010 1:50 PM Subject: FW: Cave SAR Workshop at the UCO Selman Living Lab Hello, Cave search and rescue (SAR) requires special training. Most states have more caves than the pubic and emergency responders are aware of and they can become accident sites or forensic crime scenes. No two caves are exactly alike but the SAR methods used are similar and adaptable. Many emergency responders are effectively trained in first aid and first response emergencies; however, most have not had training in cave SAR. The University of Central Oklahoma is offering a workshop for those interested in acquiring training in SAR in a unique environment - a cave. We have invited Tom Bevis (see attachment 3) to lead this hands-on workshop in cave rescue. He has worked with Carlsbad Caverns and emergency response agencies in New Mexico and other states to help coordinate SAR missions. Attached (5 attachments) above is a Introduction (1) to the two day workshop, an Application (2), additional information about Tom (3) and Waivers (4 5). The class has to have a minimum of 10 to be offered but we will limit it to no more than 30 participants. The cost is $300.00. The money will cover Tom and his crew's travel expenses, their honoraria and overnight accommodations (including meals) at the Selman Living Lab. First day classroom activities will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma Selman Living Lab located near Alabaster Caverns State Park (map is in the Introduction Attachment (1.) above) and the second day will be spent in simulated rescue events in a wild cave at Alabaster Caverns State Park. We invite you to attend or send a representative from your organization who can become the go to person if a cave SAR need arises. Examine the attachments above and contact me if you have questions. If I cannot answer the technical ones, I will let Tom address them. The slots will probably fill fast. We already have five who indicated they are coming and they just heard of the workshop as I was planning it. Thanks, Bill **Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary! **CONFIDENTIALITY** -This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited. 1. SLL Intro to Cave SAR Course.pdf Description: Adobe PDF document 2. SLL Cave SAR Application.pdf Description: Adobe PDF document 3. About Tom Bemis.pdf Description: Adobe PDF document 4. SLL UCO SAR Insurrance Waiver Form .pdf Description: Adobe PDF document 5. SLL UCO SAR Liability Waiver Form.pdf Description: Adobe PDF document ___ PBSS mailing list p...@caver.net http://caver.net/mailman/listinfo/pbss_caver.net
Re: [Texascavers] NSS Convention travel suggestions from TX
Check out AMTRAK. The Essex Junction station is only a few blocks from the campground. --Ediger On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 2:24 PM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: The table below shows plane ticket prices out of Houston to Burlington. ( I presume the prices are similar from other major airports out of Texas. ) http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/booking/flight/searchResultDates.aspx The most practical flight leaving on Friday and coming back on Saturday is $ 418, ( plus fees ). [ If you haven't registered yet, and still hope to go, then you can register on-line for $ 150. ] If you don't rent a car and can find a ride from and to the airport and rides during the convention, and you don't stay in hotels and you don't eat out much, and you don't buy any souvenirs or caving gear or books, etc, then the total trip cost can be had for under $ 600. Otherwise, if you rent a car and get a hotel for 7 nights and buy stuff and eat out a lot, you are looking at total trip cost of $ 1,200 to $ 1,400. ( I definitely won't be doing any of that ). The other option is to make the long drive up there and back with some cavers. While that may be less than $ 418, the flight is a little over 6 hours, while the drive is something like 33 hours non-stop presuming you don't have a flat tire, or get lost, etc. If you are going to rent a car for the week, then you can save $ 100 by flying to an airport like Manchester, New Hampshire. http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/booking/flight/searchResultDates.aspx On a personal note, I doubt I can go to the convention this year, but I am leaning towards the cheapest flight to Manchester ( $ 278 ) and then finding a ride to and from the convention from there. My biggest issue is that because I am self-employed, I don't make any money while I am gone and I don't make my customers happy. However, I have very little work at the moment, and realistically, nobody would miss me if I were gone for a week. The other issue is that it can sometimes be hard to have fun on vacation when you don't have money to spend on things. The practical side of me ( if there is such a thing ) says to stay home, while the other side of me says to load up my back-pack and just get there. If I do make it, I look forward to seeing some of you there. David Locklear caver in Fort Bend County - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
texascavers Digest 12 Jul 2010 13:13:15 -0000 Issue 1099
texascavers Digest 12 Jul 2010 13:13:15 - Issue 1099 Topics (messages 15359 through 15369): another cave diver fatality 15359 by: David above ground cave 15360 by: David 15361 by: John Brooks 15364 by: Gill Edigar 15368 by: Mark Minton video of S�tano de El Popoca 15362 by: Mixon Bill Party Bye Moni and Welcome to new Life. 15363 by: Espeleo Coahuila July 13th Meeting of PBSS 15365 by: J. LaRue Thomas NSS Convention travel suggestions from TX 15366 by: David 15369 by: Gill Edigar Re: airfare to Vermont 15367 by: David Administrivia: To subscribe to the digest, e-mail: texascavers-digest-subscr...@texascavers.com To unsubscribe from the digest, e-mail: texascavers-digest-unsubscr...@texascavers.com To post to the list, e-mail: texascavers@texascavers.com -- ---BeginMessage--- http://www.ocala.com/article/20100709/ARTICLES/7091005/1402/NEWS?Title=Marion-woman-dies-while-cave-diving http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/09/1722485/woman-dies-while-cave-diving.html http://suwanneedemocrat.com/breakingnews/x1907081764/67-YEAR-OLD-WOMAN-IS-CAVE-DIVING-FATALITY In other news related to caves: ( continued from a story a few weeks ago ) http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/253146 ---End Message--- ---BeginMessage--- [ I can't find anything to write about this week ] Here is a good example of an above ground cave: http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/9239967.jpg At least, according to the photographer. Note that underground is one word, but above ground is 2 words.I presume there is some English grammar rule that causes that. However, it is also written above-ground cave on at least one cave-diving web-site, as referring to a submerged cave that was once above the water table. Here is a web-site using the phrase: http://web.me.com/kirkbergey/Crevices_and_Caves/Bruce.html I guess the idea behind this phrase is that the cave stays horizontal as you enter the entrance, and that when hiking to the cave you never descend into a ravine or canyon. Maybe the general public and the media have a Hollywood image of a cave ingrained in their thought process, where the cave is a large entrance that you easily walk into and there is a large room with flat floors. So that when they see a cave that goes downward into the earth, they refer to it as an underground cave. The cave below might be an example of what the general public means when they use this phrase: http://www.castlehill.net.nz/castlehill/cavestream/cavestream.htm ( I think I could do that cave ! ) I can't think of a good example of anything that I would call an above ground cave. Enchanted Rock Cave doesn't seem to qualify. Rock shelters don't seem to qualify, either. ---End Message--- ---BeginMessage--- The grotto bar atop the caravan of dreams in fort worth is an above ground caveand maybe the highest above ground cave in the known universe. Does anyone keep a list of highest known above ground caves? Would we have to survey this cave to get it on the list. These are all questions that we should know the answers! Sent from my iPhone On Jul 10, 2010, at 1:25 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: [ I can't find anything to write about this week ] Here is a good example of an above ground cave: http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/9239967.jpg At least, according to the photographer. Note that underground is one word, but above ground is 2 words.I presume there is some English grammar rule that causes that. However, it is also written above-ground cave on at least one cave-diving web-site, as referring to a submerged cave that was once above the water table. Here is a web-site using the phrase: http://web.me.com/kirkbergey/Crevices_and_Caves/Bruce.html I guess the idea behind this phrase is that the cave stays horizontal as you enter the entrance, and that when hiking to the cave you never descend into a ravine or canyon. Maybe the general public and the media have a Hollywood image of a cave ingrained in their thought process, where the cave is a large entrance that you easily walk into and there is a large room with flat floors. So that when they see a cave that goes downward into the earth, they refer to it as an underground cave. The cave below might be an example of what the general public means when they use this phrase: http://www.castlehill.net.nz/castlehill/cavestream/cavestream.htm ( I think I could do that cave ! ) I can't think of a good example of anything that I would call an above ground cave. Enchanted Rock Cave doesn't seem to qualify. Rock shelters don't seem to qualify, either. - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
[Texascavers] missing items from the Strickland Pond Party
Hi, I am missing two items from last weekend's pond party (if you missed it, you missed a great one!). 1) Toyota truck key attached to a utility biner clip; the clip color is best described as orange flowers on a black background and it was attached to the back of a Texas flag folding chair. Apparently somebody mistakenly left with my folding chair and left their Texas flag chair in the area beyond the water slide (they had to remove my towel from my chair in order to take it--thanks for leaving the towel behind). I picked up the other person's chair, but I'd really like my truck key returned. 2) Rubbermaid container of chipotle-cheddar macaroni salad. I feel flattered that this is the first time I have ever had someone walk away with the covered dish that I brought to a potluck. I wouldn't mind getting the container returned to me (but you can keep the salad). If anyone would like the recipe for this salad, I'll gladly send it to you. If you find one or both of these items (especially the truck key), you can mail them back to me, no questions asked, at Diana Tomchick 500 Kingston Dr. Irving, TX 75061 Thanks, Diana P.S. And thanks so much to the Strickland family for all their hard work and hospitality! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana R. Tomchick Associate Professor University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Department of Biochemistry 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Rm. ND10.214B Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A. Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu 214-645-6383 (phone) 214-645-6353 (fax) - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] FW: Medina River Nature Preserve Officer JOB OPENING
FYI, Geary From: Gail Gallegos [mailto:gail.galle...@sanantonio.gov] Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 10:41 AM Subject: Medina River Nature Preserve Officer JOB OPENING Importance: High My previous position of Nature Preserve Officer at the wonderful Medina River Natural Area is currently open and accepting applications. Please pass this job opening on to anyone who may be interested and qualified. Thank You!! https://ww4.sanantonio.gov/jobs/jobvacs/jobDescription.aspx?objid=30023309 CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 111 Plaza de Armas San Antonio, Texas 78205 Phone No. (210)207-8108 Job Number / Title: 0454-NATURE PRESERVE OFFICER Closing Date: 07/23/2010 Salary: $34,996.10 - $52,494.16 / Annually Date Posted: 07/09/2010 FLSA Status: Exempt Department: Parks Recreation Grant Funded: No Job Summary Under direction, is responsible for performing professional level work for the management of the natural park areas, to include supervision of staff, developing educational and informational programs, and managing all fiscal programs of the facility. Exercises direct supervision over assigned staff. Essential Job Functions * Plans and organizes educational and informational programs; * Develops and administers long-range program and facility planning and develops program goals and objectives; * Acts as liaison between the City and public support groups; * Prepares reports and written correspondence; * Promotes the availability and utility of the park through public contacts, media promotion, or direct solicitation of events; * Analyzes park operations and functions and recommends improvements; * Oversees the maintenance of facilities, trails, and property within Park boundaries; * Assists in developing policies and procedures necessary to manage the facility; * Supervises, trains and evaluates assigned staff; * Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required. Job/Driving Requirements * Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Natural Sciences or Environmental Sciences or related degree; * Three (3) years of experience in natural science, or environmental science, to include one (1) year of supervisory experience; * This position requires a valid Class C Texas Drivers' License or obtain a valid Class C Texas Driver's License with in thirty (30) days after becoming a resident of the State of Texas; * Use of your own personal vehicle may at times be required and proof of liability insurance will be required; * Any applicant selected for this position must have a background check completed with results satisfactory to the City of San Antonio and successfully complete the City of San Antonio's two-phased Cash-Handling Certification Training; * ANY APPLICANT SELECTED FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO MUST RECEIVE SATISFACTORY RESULTS FROM PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING, REFERENCES, BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION. ADDITIONALLY, EMPLOYEES IN SENSITIVE OR HIGH RISK POSITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO INTERVAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 49 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATINOS, EMPLOYEES IN CDL POSITIONS ARE SUJBECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING. Preferred Qualifications * Degreed and experience in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Forestry or other related field. Physical Requirements * Physical requirements include occasional lifting/carrying of 25 pounds. Work Location * Medina River Natural Area Work Hours * 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, Occasional Weekends and Holidays; * At the Dept.'s Discretion, the Work Location and Work Days/Hours May Be Subject to Change; * This position can be closed at any time. Contact Rita Aguilar (207-8108) for further information. E. Gail Gallegos Nature Preserve Officer Natural Areas Parks Recreation 210.207.3284 Cell 210.912.7509 www.sanaturalareas.org
[Texascavers] Fwd: USFS Closes Caves in CO for 12 Months (fwd)
-- Forwarded message -- From: Bruce Bannerman banner...@suddenlink.net List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 10:38 AM Subject: FWD: USFS Closes Caves in CO for 12 Months (fwd) To: siv...@listserv.vt.edu FYI -- Forwarded message -- From: JiM3 jimmccar...@yahoo.com List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 11:38 AM Subject: [NSSwest] Fw: [Colorado Grotto] USFS Closes Caves in CO for 12 Months To: NSSwest nssw...@yahoogroups.com, socalgro...@yahoogroups.com, sandiegogrotto sandiegogro...@yahoogroups.com Cc: Joel Despain joel_desp...@nps.gov Fellow cavers, Carl and I have received word that US Forest Service Region 2 plans to announce early next week, a Special Order for closing all caves region-wide in response to White Nose Syndrome. Region 2 includes all Forest and Grasslands within Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, most of Wyoming and most of South Dakota. This order will be in effect for 12 months. We have been told that re-opening any of the affected caves by subsequent Special Order or permit is extremely unlikely in the next 12 months. One place the announcement will be posted is the Region 2 website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/ The plan for the closures will consist of two steps. First, education of the cave-visiting public that a closure is in effect. Second, some trails which are primarily used to access caves will be closed. There are a number of issues to discuss and decisions for the CCS to make in the coming days and weeks. Among these, the USFS is requesting help in placing signs at cave entrances to notify the public of the closure. The USFS also inquired whether the CCS would like to be identified or have a logo placed on the signs. The CCS will also need to decide what to do about access at Fly and Marble Caves. Carl Bern has spoken with the landowner Larry Blackwell and Larry will follow the CCS decision on this issue. We will be keeping the organized caving community informed, notifying CCS reps of upcoming votes, and we may have a special meeting of the CCS in the near future. At this time caves on BLM land remain open. However, the BLM has indicated that they want their response to be in coordination with the USFS and so a similar closure on BLM lands may be expected. Decision-making by the BLM had been occurring at the state level, but the Washington Office is now stepping in. The decision to close caves anywhere is always difficult and controversial. It should be noted though that land managing agencies, caver-run cave conservancies, and private cave owners across the eastern U.S. and into the west have come to similar conclusions regarding this course of action for dealing with WNS. As fellow cavers who share your passion, we know that cave closures are a bitter pill, particularly in the middle of summer. However, let us remember that over one million bats are estimated to have died from WNS and certain species face extinction. Cavers rightfully consider themselves to be stewards of the underground world. Across the west, our claim to that identity will be measured to some extent by our support for these closures. While the USFS Region 2 decision was made without involvement from Carl or myself, we respect its necessity and support the closure. We hope that the caving community as a whole will also respect and support the closure. As this situation continues to evolve, the Colorado Cave Survey will continue, as always, to advocate for both cave conservation and cave ACCESS. Yours in caving, Dave Lambert Chairman Colorado Cave Survey Carl Bern Vice-Chairman Colorado Cave Survey __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: a.. New Database 1 Visit Your Group MARKETPLACE Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now. Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog Cat Answers Center. Get real-time World Cup coverage on the Yahoo! Toolbar. Download now to win a signed team jersey! Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest . Unsubscribe . Terms of Use. __,_._,___ - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Pond Party lost found
Amoung the Numerous items found after the Pond Party were a pair of Wear-ever folding chairs with backpack straps and a Mamouth Cave T-shirt. Pete - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[NMCAVER] Geronimo's Cave entrance was blasted!
Geronimo's cave is a small cave in the Robledo Mountains in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Still it is the second longest (and maybe the largest cave) in the county. The story as I heard it, is that about a year (or more) ago, there was a great bang that came for the entrance of the cave. The person telling me the story said that a friend of hers heard the bang and looked up and saw a great cloud of dust and debris at the entrance of the cave. She said that the people who went up to the cave said that there was a crack that came from the entrance and went down to the river (possibly an erosion scar). The cave entrance was still open. Apparently according to the story that was told to me, one Leewayne Preece tried to blast the entrance shut because he was tired of people crossing his land to access the cave. There is a northernly access to the cave through what I believe is a locked gate (which according to the records of the Dona Ana Assessor's office cross the edge of Preece's land). There is another easterly access via crossing the Rio Grande that goes through BLM land and International Boundary Commission land ( a winter route when the river is low). I have cc'ed the BLM and they should take this matter very seriously as cave rescources in Dona Ana county are rare. Mike Lorimer Fort Selden, New Mexico ___ NMCAVER mailing list nmca...@caver.net http://caver.net/mailman/listinfo/nmcaver_caver.net
[Texascavers] Fwd: RE: [Colorado Cave Survey] USFS Region 2 Cave Closures
Original Message Subject:RE: [Colorado Cave Survey] USFS Region 2 Cave Closures List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:26:36 -0600 (MDT) From: DONALD G. DAVIS dgda...@nyx.net To: colorado-cave-sur...@googlegroups.com CC: skin...@thuntek.net Dear Colleagues: In a Friday afternoon discussion with Phil Nyland, the White River National Forest Wildlife Biologist at the Aspen District Office, he reported that the report of private concessionaires continuing to be allowed to visit caves was incorrect. He said that the USFS was contacting the concessionaires and alerting them of the pending closure. Phil also reported that the WRNF was insistent that the Colorado Cave Survey be notified prior to the official release of the closure order since the Forest and the Survey have been working partners for more than 40 years. Though he said there won't be much of a silver lining to the closure order, he did hope that the Forest and cavers can continue working together and not sever their relationship. Although Phil and the District 2 Public Affairs person both independently confirmed the announcement would be forthcoming today, a reporter from Channel 9 KUSA alerted me this afternoon the District office in Golden reported to them that the closure order was being reconsidered. This suggests there may be a tiny window of hope. Perhaps forests like the WRNF are alerting the District Forester that such a closure order will be violated and that another course of action might be more prudent and supported by the people of the states. We can always hope! Rick Rhinehart I found USFS Public Information Specialist Janelle Smith's e-mail address on the Web (janellesm...@fs.fed.us), and rather than calling her, sent her the following modified and corrected version of my previous message from this list (with expanded explanation and with reference to private concessionnaires removed), to get it into written record. Lee Skinner--I'm not a member of any Texas or Arizona lists, but you have my permission to pass on the present message to those (and NM). --Donald From dgdavis Mon Jul 12 17:02:53 2010 To: janellesm...@fs.fed.us Subject: Re: [Colorado Cave Survey] USFS Region 2 Cave Closures Dave Lambert and Carl Bern wrote on July 9 on the Colorado Cave Survey Google Group: Fellow cavers, Carl and I have received word that US Forest Service Region 2 plans to announce early next week, a Special Order for closing all caves region-wide in response to White Nose Syndrome. Region 2 includes all Forest and Grasslands within Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, most of Wyoming and most of South Dakota. This order will be in effect for 12 months. We have been told that re-opening any of the affected caves by subsequent Special Order or permit is extremely unlikely in the next 12 months. [DETAILS CLIPPED] Dave Lambert Chairman Colorado Cave Survey Carl Bern Vice-Chairman Colorado Cave Survey In 53 years of caving, this blanket closure of public caves because of White Nose Syndrome is clearly the worst crisis I've seen. It is apparently being imposed without justifying logic and does not merit our support. I can cite a disturbingly instructive historical precedent: the enactment of the prohibition of selling alcoholic liquor in the early 20th century. Both measures were well-intentioned and addressed real problems, but were ill-considered. Like Prohibition, a general cave closure is very unpopular and so full of loopholes that it cannot accomplish the desired goal, but will criminalize those who reject it. In the present case, one bad result will be that the managing agency will receive less timely information about the possible appearance of WNS in USFS caves, because cavers who abide by the closure will not see sick bats in the first place, while those who defy it will not risk punishment by reporting them (except perhaps anonymously). In reality, this arbitrary cave closure is apt to be even less effective than Prohibition was. Prohibition only had to deal with human actions. While the first appearance of WNS at Knox Caverns, NY is strongly suggestive of human introduction, its subsequent spread is, with little doubt, overwhelmingly via bat-to-bat transmission, so that restricting human cave visits will not much slow the spread. Moreover, unless the closure also covers abandoned mines, it cannot possibly be effective, since in many areas mines are the primary cave-bat habitat. There will be other major negative repercussions. If instituted, the closure will effectively prevent caving at next year's National Speleological Society Convention at Glenwood Springs. This can be expected to reduce attendance considerably. Even if it is revoked before then, the longer it remains in effect, the more people will decide not to attend on that basis.
