This is not a ban on caving, but an authorization that will allow TPWD to close caves if deemed necessary. This will, hopefully, slow response time and minimize confusion and violations should closures be invoked on TPWD properties. Once again, this is not a ban on cavers caving (where it is not already prohibited), just a notice that there may be public cave closures and requirements that folks have a reason (survey, biology, etc) to visit bat caves on TPWD properties.
Andy Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D. 700 Billie Brooks Drive Driftwood, Texas 78619 (512) 799-1095 [email protected] --- On Mon, 8/2/10, Diana Tomchick <[email protected]> wrote: From: Diana Tomchick <[email protected]> Subject: Fwd: [Texascavers] TPWD Executive Order re: WNS and cave access To: "Cave Tex" <[email protected]> List-Post: [email protected] Date: Monday, August 2, 2010, 6:37 PM I find it truly fascinating and a telling comment on the people who post on this listserve that there have been 20+ postings complaining about the location of TCR (which is, after all, just a party, and precious little if any caving ever happens at TCR), while not one person has commented on this posting and the implications of WNS on caving in Texas and the surrounding states. Diana, truly tired of having to hit the delete button this afternoon. Begin forwarded message: From: "Butch Fralia" <[email protected]>Date: August 2, 2010 4:20:53 PM CDTTo: <[email protected]>Subject: [Texascavers] TPWD Executive Order re: WNS and cave access This is being forwarded to the list from Logan McNatt who cannot post from his work e-mail address…. Butch This is a general policy statement that applies only to caves on TPWD properties, e.g. state parks and wildlife management areas. Decisions are being made on a case by case basis. So far, Gorman Cave at Colorodo Bend SP is the only cave normally open to visitors that has been closed. The policy was developed after much thought and consultation with other agencies, including Bat Conservation International. Logan TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ORDER NO. 010-005 The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department orders the restrictions to public access to certain department lands and facilities as provided herein. Due to the detection of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bat populations in nearby states, the Executive Director has determined that it is necessary to authorize staff of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (the department) to restrict public access, where necessary, to caves or other natural features on state parks, wildlife management areas, and any other lands under the management of the department, in order to prevent the possible spread of WNS as a result of human contact. WNS is a fungal pathogen whose etiology, pathology, distribution, and dispersal have not been well studied and are not well understood. WNS is believed to disrupt the feeding and hibernation cycles of affected individuals, leading to death in almost all cases. WNS poses no threat to human beings. At the present time, WNS is not known to have spread to Texas; however, since its discovery in the northeastern United States in 2006, it has spread southward and westward and now has been detected or is suspected to exist in 14 states and two Canadian provinces, including the states of Missouri and Oklahoma. Although the mechanics of WNS transmission are not definitively known, mammalogists have recommended the closure of hibernacula (areas where bats hibernate) to human contact in order to minimize the potential spread of WNS. WNS has been detected in nine species of bats thus far (little brown bat, eastern small-footed bat, northern long-eared bat, tri-colored bat, big brown bat, Indiana bat, gray bat, cave myotis, and southeastern myotis). Because several of the species of bats known to be susceptible to WNS are found in Texas, the department believes it is prudent to identify and close to public access those areas under the control of the department where physical contact between humans and bats or bat habitat may occur. It is therefore ordered that department staff is authorized to restrict public access, as necessary, to any feature or area under department control in order to prevent the spread of WNS. Department staff is also authorized to allow controlled access to caves and other areas under conditions prescribed by the department, including escorted visitation, limitations on activities and conduct, and decontamination protocols. The department will prominently post those areas that are closed to public access, and will publish a list of the closed areas on the department website. This order is issued pursuant to §81.401 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, and 31 Tex. Admin. Code §59.132(a), §59.134(e), §65.192(f), §65.204(d). This order is effective immediately. Signed this the 29th day of July, 2010. Carter SmithExecutive DirectorTexas Parks and Wildlife Department * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana R. Tomchick Associate Professor University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Department of Biochemistry 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Rm. ND10.214B Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A. Email: [email protected] 214-645-6383 (phone) 214-645-6353 (fax)
