ENTS, I am posting this becuase bats are an important part of the ecosystem in the eastern US and are frequently encountered by many of us in the woods, and occasionally we encounter caves and mines that may serve as hibernaculums in the winter, and nurseries in the spring.
The cause of White Nose Sydrome in bats is still unknown. Here is a link to a nice leaflet abpout the problem. http://www.caves.org/WNS/WNS%20flier%20090428.pdf). Also of note is a clusure notice from the USFS Eastern Region" The US Forest Service Eastern Region has posted the official closure notice for all caves and mines located within their national forests. Closure Order: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/docs/apr_2009_caves_closed/closure_order.pdf Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/docs/apr_2009_caves_closed/faq.pdf General WNS and Closure Info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/docs/apr_2009_caves_closed/white_nose_info.pdf "On Friday, April 24, the Forest Service issued a 1-year emergency closure order for all caves and mines on National Forest System lands in Forest Service Regions 8 and 9. No one, except rescue personnel in the performance of their official duties, will be allowed within the closed areas unless authorized by the Regional Forester or Forest Supervisor. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, under authority of Title 16 U.S.C. 551, Title 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571. " Of additional note is that the Eastern Region website says: "...the Forest Service has joined with other agencies and caving organizations to temporarily close caves and mines on National Forests in the Eastern and Southern Regions." The Southern Region, which includes 13 states and 14 National Forests, has not yet issued an official closure notice, but it looks like it is on the way as well. Ed --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
