FYI, please forward to your grottos and membership accordingly. Federal agency permitting details will be forthcoming in the next week or so I am told.
Jerry Atkinson. -----Original Message----- From: Goodbar, James <jgood...@blm.gov> To: blandevoid <blandev...@gmail.com>; Jerry Atkinson <jerryat...@aol.com>; Weaver, Eric <eric_wea...@nps.gov>; avp <a...@caves.org> Cc: Marikay Ramsey <marik...@blm.gov>; Terrence Heslin (Terry) <thes...@blm.gov>; Barnes, Melanie <mgbar...@blm.gov>; Rod Horrocks <rod_horro...@nps.gov>; Kovarik, Johanna <jkova...@fs.fed.us>; Phyllis Boneau <pjb...@gmail.com>; Stockton, Aaron - FS <astock...@fs.fed.us> Sent: Fri, Mar 31, 2017 1:09 pm Subject: Convention Caving on BLM Hi guys- There have been a lot of changes going on in the past two weeks regarding the federal agencies and our permitting cave use during the upcoming NSS convention. Probably the most significant development is the discovery of P/d in six Texas counties. As a result of this NO caving gear or equipment can be brought to New Mexico from Texas. The federal agencies and the NSS staff and grottos are gathering large supplies of loaner gear that will be made available. >From a permitting standpoint The NPS, BLM and USFS were trying to put together >a single interagency "Letter of Authorization" that would cover all agencies >and all the caves to be visited during convention. This would make it much >easier to ensure that all the federal agencies were saying the same thing in >the same words. That would eliminate any confusion about WNS requirements and >ensure the NSS was hearing the same thing across the agencies. Due to >differences in agency permitting requirements that may not be possible. Each >agency may wind up issuing their own permits/authorizations. At this time the BLM will be issuing a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) for the three BLM caves being visited during convention; Whut, Ojito, and Hummingbird. I will be writing up the SRP which will be issued out of the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office. Part of the SRP stipulations will require that NO caving gear from a Pd/WNS positive state will be allowed. Other requirements will be for designated NSS trip leaders, verifiable decon (tags), and trip reports. This is very similar to the requirements that were agreed to during the Ely NSS convention but were not adhered to. Let's see if we can do better this year. I am working on having this be a no-fees SRP but can not guarantee that yet. We'll keep you informed as things develop. Cave Hoooo -- Jim Goodbar Senior Cave and Karst Resources Specialist USDOI Bureau of Land Management Washington Office (WO 250) 620 E. Greene St., Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 Office (575) 234-5929 jgood...@blm.gov
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