From: jag9931@summa.tamu.edu (GLENNON, JOHN ALAN)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Long-term cave exploration - waste disposal?
Date: 23 Nov 1992 19:10 CST
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: summa.tamu.edu
Summary: Lechuguilla closing
Keywords: Lechuguilla, cave, urine
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

In article <1992Nov23.232817.13519@hpcvca.cv.hp.com
>, scott@hpcvccl.cv.hp.com (Scott Linn) writes...
>2)  Urine is to be carried out during all trips less than or equal to 24
>    hours (typically up to 36 hours).  On more extended trips, urine is
>    allowed in specific areas only, where there is some kind of "soil", not
>    just a gypsym substrate.  If you are less than a certain distance from
>    the entrance on your way out, then you need to carry that out, too.

Interesting.  I was not aware that this occurred.  I personally believe this
to be a poor policy.  Fortunately for Lech explorers, I hardly matter.  
I wonder why they allow this?  It seems to put convenience as a higher 
priority than protection of the resource.  

>:   The Park Service has closed Lechuguilla Cave temporarily to exploration 
>: while such resource management issues are examined.  
> 
>From where did you get this (wholly incorrect) information?
> 
>Lech is "closed" due to a difference of opinion between cavers, the LCP
>head, and the Park Service.  The difference of opinion had nothing to do
>with "resource management issues".  It was about the park wanting all raw
>survey data and computer data (not just line plots or finished maps), and
>volunteer status of the project members.  The difference of opinion resulted
>in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park and the Lechuguilla
>Cave Project being canceled.

I used the term "resource management issue" as a catch-all phrase to glaze 
over the political heat of this issue in hopes that it would not have to be 
discussed on this newsgroup.  My information concerning these resource issues
come from conversations I have had with Park Service employees.  According to 
them, along with being more wary about groups entering the cave, the Park is 
also reexamining resource management issues concerning trip lengths, number of
trips, number of participants, and more Park Service involvement in all trips.  
These issues did not necessarily close the cave, but they are some things that
are to be examined before things get back to "normal".  

Summary: I should have said "reexamining" instead of "examining".


>Note that Lech isn't actually "closed" per se.  If you have a valid
>scientific/exploration project in mind that requires the cave, you can
>petition the Park Service to let you in.  A few trips have been made since
>the MOU was cancelled.  The National Geographic filming being a prime
>example.

I agree.  The cave is "open", but "closed".  Actually, I would say that 
under current circumstances, you would have to have a better than good 
excuse to get in the cave.  I may be wrong.  

It may be best to discuss these issues either privately or on the 
cavers' forum.  I'd be glad to.

---
Alan Glennon                          
jag9931@rigel.tamu.edu
My opinions are my own.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry