From: "David W. Kesner" <drdave@micron.net>
The Salmon River Ranger District, (central Idaho, USA), has finally released the draft management plan for Papoose Cave. They are seeking input from any and all interested cavers, organizations, and the general public. The final date for submissions is June 13, 1997 and should be sent to:
District Ranger Salmon River Ranger District HC01, Box 70 White Bird, Idaho 83554 USA
Questions can be directed to:
Jack Carlson, District Ranger or Bruce Anderson at 208-839-2311
A copy of the plan was sent to most of the organized cavers in the Pacific Northwest. If you do not have a copy you may request one from the Salmon River Ranger District. Copies will also be available at the Northwest Caving Association's Regional meet over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27) in Shoshone, Idaho. It is also being scanned and should be available at the Gem State Grotto homepage in about a week (Roughly May 5).
Of most importance is caver input on the classification of management zones and the restriction of use in those areas.
Zone 1 is open to a maximum of six per party and ten parties per month and is limited to the Main Line, the Wet Way, the Rotten 50, and Lower and Upper Satori. This zone also includes any area not specifically mentioned in one of the other zones.
Zone 2A is open to a maximum of four per party and 32 individuals per year and includes Astle and Valhalla.
Zone 2B is open to a maximum of four per party and 16 individuals per year and includes Clearwater, Atlantis, Waterfall Room, Bluewater Passage, Bluewater Extension, Formation Room, Lightning Passage, and Junction Passage.
Zone 3 is closed to all caving from September 15 through May 15 and includes the Upper Entrance, the Big Room, and the Side Passage to within 50 feet of the Sand Room. This is to protect hibernating Western Big Eared Bats (Corynorhinus townsendii).Only two parties may be in the cave at any one time, except by special approval and then a maximum of four. Party size must include at least one resource monitor, so effectively only three "outside" cavers can be on any trip to Zone 2. For those not familiar with Papoose, Zone 2 comprises approximately 75% of the cave and 95% of the "pretties".
The plan also requires that a new bat friendly gate be designed, built and installed on the Upper Entrance and the gate on the Lower Entrance modified before the cave will be open to recreational caving. The group that has done most of the gate projects in Idaho (including previously designed, built, but never installed gates for Papoose) would probably not be available until late summer.
There are many other items that be of special concern to individuals, so you should obtain a copy of and read the entire plan.
The US Forest Service has assured me that all comments will be taken into consideration and incorporated in the final management plan. These comment will be weighed equally, whether you are an individual caver, a Grotto, or just an interested party.
You may contact me if you have any specific questions, but I will not be available from May 4 through May 14, 1997.
Thank you for the time,