USFWS Cave Closure Threatens the Future of Recreational Caving
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has unfairly and unjustly restricted access to caves on federally owned land in an effort to slow the spread of "White Nose Syndrome" (WNS). The USFWS policy has encouraged many other public and private organizations to close their caves to recreational cavers as well including most state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offices. The USFWS has repeatedly issued statements which blame the spread of WNS on recreational cavers. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the USFWS report clearly states there is no evidence that humans can spread WNS and the only research done in this area suggests that humans cannot spread WNS. The USFWS has repeatedly asked for cavers assistance in raising money for WNS research and because of the efforts of cavers and the National Speleological Society they have been very successful. Unfortunately, the cavers have been shorted for all their efforts the only thing the USFWS has done is close access to many popular caves. The USFWS now encourages all state and private cave owners to close their caves to the recreational cavers. If we do not act soon the sport of caving will come to an end. Many caving organizations have already began to feel the impact of the cave closures, resulting in low membership numbers, making it impossible to continue current cave conservation efforts due to lack of funding.
