Appalachian Cave Conservancy

Plan and activities for 2006

The Appalachian Cave Conservancy continues to place emphasis on the two middle steps of the SICLEO sequence of cave management options: Contract and Lease. The SICLEO system describes the levels of cave management: 1. Enlightened Self management by owner, 2. Informal management arrangement, 3. Contract, 4. Lease, 5. Conservation Easement, 6. Own.

In the last year and half ACC has added five cave properties to the caves it leases and/or manages. They are Daniel Boone Caverns, AKA Ellington Cave and Gillenwater Cave, Blowing Hole Cave, Winding Stair Cave, Dungeon Cave, Funnel Cave. ACC is in the process of developing the cave management plans for the caves in cooperation with the owners. All of these caves are located in Scott County, Virginia. It has become apparent that many cave owners want to retain title to their property and the caves therein. However, they are often willing to give management authority for their caves to an established cave conservancy. This model should be workable in any cave area with privately owned caves.

In Blowing Hole Cave members have picked up and removed several dump truck loads of trash from the entrance and remapped the cave extending its known length by 3/4 of a mile

In Daniel Boone Cave ACC members have done access road work, extended the length of the cave and provided year round caver access.

ACC continues to manage Perkins Cave, so that cavers can visit the cave during expeditions and on projects with ACC members. Various measures have been taken to reduce the impact of caving on the cave. The main route in the cave is now marked with nylon cord, to help caver’s avoid stepping on fragile areas next to the trail. The tooth paste crawl has been modified so that cavers can stay out of the slimy mud that tends to get on cavers and then be transported to other places in the cave. Stepping stones have been placed in unavoidable pools to keep cavers out of the water. The remapping of the cave continues and it appears that there will be considerably more than the original ten miles of cave when this project is finished.

In summary, ACC assists landowners with the responsibility of managing karst and cave resources. The ACC offers convenient alternatives for managing caves, especially for absentee landowners and those concerned about trespassing and vandalism. Our members can also arrange for the appropriate scientific and technical assistance needed to study unique cave values such as paleontology, hydrology, and biology. No fees are charged for cave management. Instead, the ACC forges partnerships with cave owners, cavers and other groups to raise funds needed for bat-friendly gates and conservation practices. We also provide free consultation and information. Once partnerships are formed, the ACC works closely with cave owners to develop management agreements and strategies specific to each setting.

ACC continues to seek support for its activities and encourages membership from anyone willing to support cave conservation in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. Cavers, caving organizations, and cave owners in Southwest Virgina and eastern Tennessee may be assisted by ACC with their cave management projects. Contact information is on the ACC website: www.acave.us