I wish I knew!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tamara Thomsen
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I wish I knew!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tamara Thomsen
:roll: Here's a link for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by darkdiver211
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Wildlife...anceofBats.htm
Greetings again from the front lines in Madison, Wisconsin!
Just wanted to give you all an update...WISCONSIN IS OPEN FOR CAVE DIVING!!!
On the first page of the current decontamination protocol produced by WDNR at 2:30 yesterday afternoon (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/bats/pdf/WNS_decon_protocols.pdf) is this:
Clarification regarding diving and cave diving:
- Diving in lakes, rivers or any other surface water body is exempt from these decontamination protocols.
- Cave diving at sites that are fully inundated with water (no air pockets and no air chambers) is exempt from these decontamination protocols.
- The department is currently working with the diving community to develop decontamination protocols for sump diving. While the protocols are in development, decontamination protocols are not required for sump diving.
We started a phone-your-legislator campaign amongst the general diving community, and just about every diver in the State contacted their representative because the original language inadvertently excluded entrance to mine pits and quarries too. With the political unrest going on here, legislators were happy to receive calls about something other than union rights and we were able to get their ears! I, along with several Wisconsin cave divers attended the State Assembly Natural Resources Committee this morning. Ethan Brodsky and I were both able to speak before the committee. My favorite comment was from Rep. Danou who said "I get the cave diving exemption, bats don't live underwater.....". If only we could have come to that conclusion months ago....but better late than never.
At our last meeting with WDNR Endangered Species group we were able to convince them to cleave off sump diving and we'll have to work out issues related to decontamination of gear at a later date and after more research.
Just goes to show that a small group of determined people really can make a difference. Let me know when you all want to come up for a dive.
Well done! Great work!
Sweet!
Congrats!!!!
Fantastic! Great work Tammy, and everyone else that helped. It may prevent UW cave closures it other states!
Score one for cave divers!
Tremendous outcome. Your hard work paid off. Congrats!
Absolutely right! Congratulations for the victory and the establishment of a precedent that can be modeled elsewhere if needed. /KQuote:
Originally Posted by Tamara Thomsen