National Forest Cave Closures

[sskasser]

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/news/documents/2009/NR%2006-09_Forest%20Service%20Closes%20Caves%20and%20Mines %20to%20Protect%20Bats_%20NewsRelease.pdf

Florida caves are included in this one year cave closure. I don't see any distinction being made between submerged and non-submerged caves. Does anyone have additional information concerning this closure order signed May 21st?

[OFG-1]

Yes Shirley, we must protect the endangered subaqueous bat. The bats are dying rare "green nose" syndrome that is common among mammals that frequent submerged caves.
The subaqueous bat is subject to dihydrogen monoxide poisioning.

[fitnessdiver]

The paper does say 'unless posted as open'. It would make sense that if there are no bats living in a cave system then it would be listed as open. Then again sense and government don't mix!

[Slüdge]

Are there any submerged caves on National Forest property?

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Yes

[JE]

Yes Shirley, we must protect the endangered subaqueous bat. The bats are dying rare "green nose" syndrome that is common among mammals that frequent submerged caves.
The subaqueous bat is subject to dihydrogen monoxide poisioning.

rare "green nose" syndrome:
:smt100
You ever been up close & in their face.....Manatee ? They not only have this but they also reek of 'dirty water'-! Probably from wet-suit divers in the runs-!

Gak

[OutlawCaver]

Little Dismal, Big Dismal and Sullivan come to mind as being on National Forest property. Therefore if they are closed for the next year then that must mean they will be open after that. That works for me.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Big and Little Dismal actually have signs up saying No Diving(and the walk would suck!). Sullivan... now thats a different story.

[CaveBum]

Yes Shirley, we must protect the endangered subaqueous bat. The bats are dying rare "green nose" syndrome that is common among mammals that frequent submerged caves.
The subaqueous bat is subject to dihydrogen monoxide poisioning.


Protect the Bats at Ginnie Springs!

http://www.cave-dive.com/images/bats_f1.jpg

[OutlawCaver]

I recall a time when you could park at the top of the sink at Little Dismal, suit up, and make a dive into one of the most beautiful caves I have ever seen. No signs, no walkways, no DIR.

[Squirrel Girl]

Remember, completely submerged caves wouldn't have bats (photo aside), but a sumped cave very well could.

So, does anyone want to approach the NFS with the potential need for this clarification? Should I contact the NSS people dealing with WNS? Or is it better to let sleeping dogs lie?

[FW]

I recall a time when you could park at the top of the sink at Little Dismal, suit up, and make a dive into one of the most beautiful caves I have ever seen. No signs, no walkways, no DIR.

Yep, those were the good ol days! I have dived Little Dismal as well.

[phreaticus]

Yeah...when the entrance wasn't filled in!
Beautiful cave, some of the clearest water I've ever seen....

[dogwatch]

One of my all time favorites as well.

I thought that toward the end of diving there that the water was getting less blue and more greenish. I wondered if the rapid development of South Tallahassee back then was starting to impact the forest sinks.

[Guy Bryant]

Little Dismal was one of my favorite dives of all time. Large white walled rooms and a fun beautiful pit to drop. It used to be a regular dive site for myself, Court Smith, Lee Sams and others in the early 70's. It was so easy to dive, just drive right up to it, suit up and walk into the water. Sure wish it was open to diving again.

[OutlawCaver]

Maybe, after the looming nuclear holocost with Iran and North Korea, and nothing but cockroaches, Cher and me are still alive, I will dive Little Dismal once again. Of course, I will have to off gas from my previous dive at Sally Ward 1st. Or 200 years in the future when everyone will be making only virtual cave dives since their legs and arms will have atrophied since birth due to a life of reality shows and video games.

[FW]

Maybe, after the looming nuclear holocost with Iran and North Korea, and nothing but cockroaches, Cher and me are still alive, I will dive Little Dismal once again. Of course, I will have to off gas from my previous dive at Sally Ward 1st.
You won't even need a light, with all the Cerenkov radiation :roll:

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I thought that toward the end of diving there that the water was getting less blue and more greenish. I wondered if the rapid development of South Tallahassee back then was starting to impact the forest sinks.

I took the trail sometime last year and the water was incredibly blue. Which was strange considering most of the other Leon Sinks were incredibly tannic. While my experience at Little Dismal is limited, the way I understand it, is that the water clarity and composition varies quite a bit. Its often completely tannic.

If its anything like everything else around here... you can count on it not being consistant.

[FW]

I recall a dive in Little Dismal that was ... well... dismal. I think it was shortly after a flood, or something.

[dogwatch]

I recall a dive in Little Dismal that was ... well... dismal. I think it was shortly after a flood, or something.

200+ ' for 40 or 50 min on air tables, in a wet suit, made for some long dismal nights in the basin for sure.....

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Ouch!... and I complain about deco in the 20-25 min range, wet.