We all want to do something to save the bats and know there isn't much we can
do. Cavers also have more interest in saving the rest of the cave environment
for multiple use (science, conservation, and recreation), and we need to work
together with everyone we can to get through this (except the CBD who would
rather attack everyone).
Jen.
From: ken_harring...@hotmail.com
To: pagan...@comcast.net; s...@caver.net
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:30:35 -0600
Subject: Re: [SWR] Fwd: Fw: Carlsbad Caverns National Park Announces Cave
Closures
Carl,
The agencies are trying to be proactive without closing all the caves. They
are closing the caves that have significant bat populations. Caves that do not
have significant bat populations are being left open for recreational caving to
the extent possible. They are caught in a "Catch 22" situation. If they don't
close any of the caves and WNS shows up in NM then the agencies will get
blasted for doing nothing to prevent it. If they close all the caves they will
get blasted for over reacting to a threat that may never materialize. They are
trying to take the middle road.
As for the 'big" cave with the "big" bat population, I find it amusing to
observe. Here we see simple economics pitted against the the NPS own policy of
closing caves with signifincant bat populations. If they were to close off
access to the caverns the city of Carlsbad and Eddy County would be all over
them for the loss of tourist revenues. The NPS does not want a fight with the
local governments over the loss of revenues to the local businesses , not to
mention the loss of revenues at the cave itself. They have instead decided to
go with questioning each visitor about what caves they have been in recently
and then implementing some decon procedures. When it comes to dollars versus
common sense - the dollar always rules!
BLM has also closed 31 caves in the state due to the possible spread of WNS.
The LNF is in the process of closing Cottonwood, Hidden and Sentinel caves as a
preventive measure. So the NPS is simply following the examples set by the
others. This is one case where the various agencies are trying to be uniform
in thier approaches to perceived threat of WNS.
Also remember that the entire "proactive" appraoch is being driven by a single
biolgist and i do not think she has a specialized background in bats.
In this particular case, one person's attempt at levity, was misunderstood and
caused significant over reaction by the caving community.
I will get off my soap box.
Ken
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass - It's about dancing in the
rain.
From: pagan...@comcast.net
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:00:41 -0600
To: s...@caver.net
Subject: [SWR] Fwd: Fw: Carlsbad Caverns National Park Announces Cave Closures
I had sent this just to Donna as a reply, but feel that, again, all levity
aside, that there is merit in the suggestion of one person to coordinate cave
closures or not, for all three agencies, if this is even possible.....You can't
close just some of the caves, leaving others open such as Carlsbad, with the
huge bat population there. It doesn't make sense, nor is it productive, or
conducive to understanding the problem of the spread of WNS.
I do not advocate the closing of the caves due to WNS-BUT, if is coming to
that, then close all the caves, for the reasons stated below.
Carl......
Begin forwarded message:
From: Carl Pagano <pagan...@comcast.net>
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: April 29, 2011 10:46:42 AM MDT
To: dhum...@blm.gov
Subject: Re: [SWR] Fw: Carlsbad Caverns National Park Announces Cave Closures
I had suspected that. Years ago, I helped put in the bat gate.
All levity aside, it would be prudent, and look a lot better, if the agencies,
i.e. NPS, FS, and BLM, got together for a coordinated effort..
Doing this piecemeal looks bad and is not a scientific method for determining
the spread of WNS. Either close all the caves, including Carlsbad, or leave all
of them open. Bats, are intelligent, and will find a new gig if conditions
looks better. You can't stop that. All three agencies should coordinate and
make a decision very quickly to close all the caves or not close them.
By closing all caves to human traffic, a more scientific determination can be
made as to the spread of WNS, i.e. if you still see the spread of WNS, then you
can prove beyond any doubt that it wasn't because of human traffic.
Carlsbad is the kicker,....people come from all over the country to see
Carlsbad. This has an obvious big impact on the City of Carlsbad. How do you
close an entire National Park, at least on the inside?
I wonder what the percentage is of people who come from back east where
WNS is prevalent? Remember too, that spores are almost indestructible, except
with some pretty nasty chemicals. Spores are made by some organisms just so
they can survive in adverse conditions. In some cases producing spores is a
last resort by the organism to survive.
Understand, that I am not a scientist. I work in a hospital, where we deal
with spores and contamination often. Unfortunately, the only thing that kills
spores is something severe, like a 409, or simple soap and water, which is
impractical in a cave environment.
Seems that this issue needs to be settled, with all three agencies involved in
a coordinated effort.
A suggestion, as has been done in the past with other issues, would be to
appoint one person to direct all three agencies regarding WNS and what to do
about it. Doing this piecemeal looks foolish, non-productive, and is not
compatible with any scientific method, nor does it promote true scientific
study.
Carl......
On Apr 29, 2011, at 7:30 AM, dhum...@blm.gov wrote:
Carl,
Yellowjacket is closed.
________________________________
Donna Hummel
Deputy Chief, Office of External Affairs
USDI, Bureau of Land Management
New Mexico State Office
301 Dinosaur Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Office: 505/954-2019
Cell: 505/660-8528
Fax: 505/954-2010
Email: dhum...@blm.gov
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