Photograph by Ernst H. Kastning. There have been many situations where VCB members have interacted with civic organizations, governmental agencies, or the general public on behalf of cave conservation and environmental awareness. Recent examples include investigations at Peppers Ferry Cave, intersected by a road cut in Montgomery County, the construction site of the new access road to Shenandoah National Park over sinkholes and caves near Front Royal, and an endangered burial cave along the proposed path of U.S. Route 58. Prevention and mitigation of future collapses may lessen economic losses to residents of Virginia. Groundwater contamination is a major concern in such terrane.
Concerns arise that require assessment by qualified specialist.
VCB members have participated in several studies of potential problems in karst areas. Working with the Virginia Council on the Environment, this committee and its work has resulted in a technical study group and an active well-water testing program under the direction of the local agricultural extension service. Steps have been taken to insure preservation of these resources. Questions from the public are answered and literature from the VCB is distributed to interested citizens. In the past five years, over 100 programs have been presented.