If you have not read Harvey's comments, do that first (see below) so mine may make more sense
"Opinion, based on observations and not facts" Something very similar was once said about the role of hydrogen sulfide in the origin of some caves. Well-thought out, Harvey. And written well. Add to your comments my own observations that not all managers are especially benevolent. They take actions to benefit their own power base or pathway to advancement within the system. That said, individuals who really care about caves and karst in these Agencies do, indeed, find it difficult (if not impossible) to do the "right thing" for the caves. Cavers, when faced with management obstacles, should keep your comments in mind. Caving on public lands in this country has clearly changed in fundamental ways. This Bat Fungus thing has impinged on cave management decisions in the East as well as western Federal lands. You and I are among those whose lives were fundamentally changed by our exploration of caves. In our lifetime, cavers have successfully brought the importance of this resource to public attention in ways that far transcend simple tourism. That has resulted in management awareness of cave- and karst-related problems and led to sometimes-difficult decisions, not the least of which have to do with Bat Fungus. When they are not sure what to do, managers may be well advised to error on the conservative side and shut things down. I don't like that, but it could be the best thing for the caves and future generations of cavers. Caves are not a very renewable resource. Cavers are. Dwight Deal ----- Original Message ----- From: "DuChene, Harvey" <hrduch...@gmail.com> Cc: "Cave NM" <s...@caver.net> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 10:51:02 AM Subject: Re: [SWR] Oklahoma removed from list of suspected bat fungus areas The following statements are opinion, based on observations and not facts. I want this understood up-front. The Federal Agencies that manage caves are strapped for money. This has been going on for years – things like required raises for employees, cost of doing business and running an agency, etc. have risen faster than budgets have increased. BLM, NPS and USDA Forest Service have to pare their spending in order to meet the budgets allocated to them by Congress. WNS presents these agencies with a dilemma, and paradoxically, an opportunity. It costs money to manage caves. Essentially, the National Cave Protection Act was initially an unfunded mandate. Now it costs Agencies money to inventory and manage cave resources. It requires people, vehicle use, computers, GPS units, software and a lot of other things I don’t know about. WNS has give managers in these agencies an opportunity to “save” money by closing caves, allegedly to “protect” bats. This could result in reduction everyday management costs. Good people that all of us know in these Agencies have their hands tied by managers who know little about cave resources but a lot about politics and money management. The WNS controversy is as much about Federal Agency Fiscal Policy as it is about controlling the spread of a fungus that infects bats. The Agencies are ultimately limited to the funds Congress gives them to run their business, so they are constantly on the watch for places to save money. Cavers cannot win this argument. However, they can vote, and if you want to see the Federal Agencies receive more funding so they can properly operate, then elect senators and representatives that agree with you. I fear that, for those of us who are older, our days of caving on public lands in this country are essentially over. Unwittingly, this is an unanticipated result of pushing through the National Cave Protection Act 30 or so years ago. The lesson here is “ Be careful what you wish for … .” Purely my opinions, but food for thought. Harvey DuChene
