FOR
PAPOOSE CAVE
SALMON RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST
Approved by: Jack Carlson (signature) Date: Sept. 30, 1997 (handwritten)Salmon River District Ranger
I. Introduction A. Background B. Purposes of the plan C. Purpose of the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act (FCRPA) II. Management A. Management Zones B. Adjacent Land Management C. Access Control Plan III. Visiting Papoose A. Access Process B. Compliance with Requirements C. Special Permits IV. Requirements and Guidelines A. Party Size and Party Limits B. Resource Protection C. Safety D. Monitors E. Alterations F. Research G. Trip Reports H. Cave Diving I. Emergency Procedures J. Other Requirements V. Partnerships Appendix A. Monitors Appendix B. Definitions and Abbreviations
A. Background
Papoose Cave, located on the Salmon River Ranger District, Nez Perce National Forest, is a rugged, undeveloped fault-controlled, alpine karst type cave. Mapped to a point more than 800 feet lower than its entrance, the cave was once ranked the third deepest in the Nation. Following new discoveries and exploration throughout the country, its position has dropped to number 11 in the continental United States. With more than 12 pits, most over 50 feet in depth, the cave is often quite noisy as the creek pours over several pits, creating thundering waterfalls. Relative humidity remains over 90 percent and the mean temperature is near 37 degrees Fahrenheit creating an extremely cool and damp environment. A multi-level maze of tall, narrow, twisting passages, the cave can be somewhat confusing; even veteran cavers occasionally become temporarily confused.
While the above conditions create a harshly rugged environment, it offers an outstanding setting for "wild" caving. With more than 17000 feet of mapped passage and some additional passage yet to be surveyed, Papoose is the only extensive, undeveloped limestone cave available for wilderness-style recreation in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Given the outstanding geologic, mineralogic, paleontologic, and hydrologic characteristics, Papoose Cave has been nominated as a significant cave under the 1988 Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (Public Law 100-691). The FCRPA recognizes significant caves and establishes a formal program for Federal land managers to identify, list, manage, protect, and preserve the significant caves on their lands. In order to ensure that we protect and preserve Papoose Cave for future use, enjoyment, and benefit of the public, the Salmon River Ranger District has developed this Management Plan for the cave.
B. Purposes of the Plan
1) Protect and perpetuate the Papoose Cave System for future use, enjoyment, and benefit of the public.
2) Provide educational and recreational opportunities for individuals capable and prepared for the hazards and effort required to visit the cave.
3) Provide opportunities for scientific study of the cave resources.
4) Establish requirements, guidelines and permit requirements, and an entry process that ensures safety for cave visitors and preservation of cave resources.
C. Purposes of the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act (FCRPA)
Papoose Cave has been determined significant under provisions of the FCRPA (Federal Cave Resource Protection Act).
The FCRPA has two purposes. The first is "to secure, protect, and preserve significant caves on Federal lands for the perpetual use, enjoyment and benefit of all people." This first purpose is met through the implementation of this management plan.
The second purpose of the Act is "to foster increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and those who utilize caves located on Federal lands for scientific, educational, or recreational purposes." The Forest will invite the "caving community" to participate in various aspects of cave management. The Forest Service has a national memorandum of understanding with the National Speleological Society for cooperation in matters relating to caves.
Every effort will be made to involve caving organizations, educational institutions, and other interested governmental authorities in management of caves on the Forest. This will be accomplished through Memorandums of Understanding, volunteer, challenge cost share, interagency, and participating agreements, or other actions consistent with the FCRPA, FSM 2356, and this management plan.
A. Management Zones
Management zones are used as a tool to restrict cave use to preserve resources. Papoose is divided into three management zones; Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3. Originally the Draft Plan segregated Zone 2 into subzones 2A and 2B. The majority of publics commenting on the Draft Plan recommended the these subzones be combined into one management zone. The Management Zones are described as follows;
Management Zone 1
Zone 1 is open to general recreational caving with the fewest number of restrictions or requirements other than the general requirements of section III. This zone contains few vulnerable or fragile resources or is along a travel corridor where many of the most vulnerable formations have already been damaged.
Passages / Rooms
- Entrance Area - Sand Room - Mainline - Dry 50 Drop - Rotten 50 - Wet Way - Satori - Keyhole - 40 Foot Waterfall Drop - Rat Race - Ladder Drop - Groan Express Way - Puberty Pit Passage - Mill Race Room - Other passages not identified as zone 2 or 3
Visitation 720 visits per year. Party Size 6 Group Number 2 groups/day Not to Exceed (NTE) 10 groups per month.
Zone 2 is open to recreational use with greater restrictions on the number of annual visits. The resources are more fragile or vulnerable than in zone 1. Each visit may result in additional resource impacts. The restriction is the maximum number of visits permitted each calendar year and not the number of parties. A visit is a person who enters a particular passage within this particular trip. Eight parties of two counts as sixteen visits as would four parties of four individuals. The District will track use to each area within zone 2 using trip reports. Trip reports are required for visits to zone 2. The District will not approve permit requests, for a given passage or room when the maximum number of visits is reached, until the next allocation period begins. If the District determines damage is excessive, the District Ranger may reclassify an area to a more restrictive zone or category.
Passages / Rooms - Astle - The Quarter - Valhalla - Stainless Pool - Clearwater - Little White Way - Atlantis - Great White Way - Upper Satori - Satori Passage - Lower Satori - Rimstone Extension - Bluewater Passage - Gargoyle - Bluewater Extension - Mill Race Room - Formation Room - Lighting Passage - Pearl Harbour Visitation 32 visits per passage per year. Party Size 4 Group Number 2 groups / day NTE 6 groups per month.
Zone 3 is closed to all caving except by special permit. These closures are to protect extremely fragile or vulnerable resources or because of extreme safety hazards. Parties will not enter these areas except by special permit.
Passages / Rooms - Waterfall Room - Side Passage* - Big Room* - Upper Entrance* - Junction Passage - Any Pool or Lake - Important Bat Hibernation Area - Newly Discovered Passages Visitation By Special Permit Only. Party Size 4 Group Number Determined through Special Permit. *=Seasonally closed to protect bat hibernaculum otherwise managed as Management Zone 1.
The District will revise management zones when the need arises. A grotto, an individual, or the PCP may petition a revision in management zones in which case the District will respond to such a petition within 60 days. When management zones are revised, the District will notify the Gem State Grotto, the Palouse Grotto, the PCP, and any other grottos requesting this information within 60 days.
B. Adjacent Land Management
Land management adjacent to Papoose can endanger cave resources within Papoose. Adjacent management must be compatible with cave resource protection. Adjacent management that is compatible includes, recreation, grazing, and timber management. These uses must be planned and balanced with the caves protection considered. Standards and Guidelines for cave protection will be included in subsequent revisions of the Forest Plan and will address issues of cave resource value, timber harvest methods, nutrient flow into caves, effects of road location, construction and maintenance, wildlife resources, fuels management, recreational use, mining, and developed recreation.
This plan is to become a part of the Nez Perce Forest Plan upon revision of the Forest Plan.
To prevent resource damage and possible injury or death to unpermitted cave users it is necessary to physically control access near the entrances. Access control for each entrance would be as follows:
Upper Entrance There is a need to improve access security in a manner which minimizes impacts on bat use and does not disrupt air flow. There are several options to accomplish this including :
a) Do not install a new gate but sign cave entrance prohibiting unauthorized entry.
b) Install gate. If a gate were installed it would be about 40 feet back from the previous gate on the flow stone where it can be anchored soundly and placed vertically with horizontal bar spacing compatible with bat use.
c) Install gate and install sign.
The best preference for bats at the Upper Entrance is no gate. However long term safety and resource protection in conjunction with bat habitat wil1 all be factored into selection of the preferred option. Additional bat use information will be collected during the fall and winter of 1997. Selection and implementation of one of the above alternatives will occur between the bat hibernation periods (5/15-9/15/97).
Lower Entrance
Replace or modify the existing Lower Entrance gate with one which increases security, meets biological needs of cave wildlife, and if necessary facilitates easier rescue. Removal of rescue liters through the lower entrance culvert has been attempted and was unsuccessful. Idaho Cave Rescue Unit conducted a mock rescue simulation through an entrance with the same measurements as the current lower gate. They could not extricate a fully immobilized patient out from inside the mock entrance. Future on site mock rescues will be attempted through the lower entrance. If through further testing it is determined extrication can be done, replacement or modification of the gate would only need to be done. If testing shows that rescue can not be done, the existing culvert may have to be modified
It is desirable to have modified access control in place prior to opening the cave to recreational caving but is not a pre-requisite. Access improvements will have to be within Forest Service budget limitations.
A. Access Process
All persons entering Papoose are responsible for having appropriate equipment and skills necessary to meet any and all contingencies encountered in the cave.
A Special Order prohibiting entry into Papoose Cave without a Permit is still in effect. The restriction is for the purpose of resource protection of the cave and to provide for public safety. The District will continue to require permits to enter Papoose Cave. The permit system previously used, will be modified. Anticipating demand for recreational caving will exceed allowable use, the diversity of user groups, popular visitation time periods, and long distances some individuals or groups travel to visit the cave, permits will be allocated in two ways. Approximately 50% of the permits will be set aside to be reserved in advance for planned trips and 50% of the permits will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Applications for first come / first served trips will be accepted no earlier than 10 days prior to the proposed trip. To ensure individuals or groups do not monopolize use of the cave, successful applicants for a particular trip will be placed beneath other applicants (who have not visited the cave for a particular time period) for subsequent trips. In addition there will be no differentiation between recreational trips or scientific or exploratory trips. In the event the Forest Service feels it necessary to conduct additional trips for scientific reasons above and beyond the current allocation, the District will solicit individuals or groups to conduct such trips. In order to gain access to Papoose Cave an individual must do the following:
1) Write, fax, or call the District requesting a Waiver of Responsibility and Permit form.
2) The Trip Permit form (both waiver and roster) needs to be returned to the District prior to entrance to Papoose Cave. The permittee copy must be in your possession while visiting the cave.
3) If the permit is approved, you will be given the combination of the lock box. The lock box will contain either a key or a combination lock. If a key is used, the key in the lock box will open the gate at the entrance to the cave. The key will be replaced in the lock box upon leaving the area. If the cave gate is secured by a combination lock, the lock box will contain the combination of the lock currently securing the gate and a second combination lock with a predetermined combo. Upon exiting the cave, the combo lock picked up from the lock box will be used to lock the gate. Before leaving the area, the combo lock originally securing the gate will be placed in the lock box.
Cave gates should be locked while cavers are inside the cave to prevent unauthorized entry. Names, entry and exit times will be recorded at all registers encountered in the cave.
If a key is used please leave the gate key in a safe location just inside the gate, known to all members of your party.
Most permits should be approved within two days. Permit approval to enter management zone 2 may take up to one week.
B. Compliance and Requirements
The requirements of the following "Requirements and Guidelines" section are mandatory for all individuals entering the cave system.
C. Special Permits
Special permits will be required for overnight camping, cave diving, research, entry into management zone 3, or any variance from the requirements. Approval of such permits is not automatic. The District will approve or reject such requests within 30 days of receiving a request. Decisions are based on the tradeoffs between the merits and the risks to resources and safety.
The following requirements and guidelines will apply to all individuals entering the cave system. Guidelines are recommendations only and may be followed as cavers see fit. The contents of this entire section will be considered requirements unless the word guideline or recommendation is used.
A. Party Size and Party Limits
The recommended minimum group size is three with the maximum not to exceed six persons per party for zone 1. A requirement for parties of two is that both individuals have extensive experience in papoose.
A maximum party size of four is allowed for visits to restricted areas ( zones 2 and 3).
The maximum number of parties allowed in the cave at one time is normally two. Up to four parties may be allowed if approved in advance by the District for special situations.
A maximum of six parties is allowed in the cave per month within Management Zone 2 and twelve groups per month within Management Zone 1. The District will not issue additional permits when this limit is reached, until a new month begins.
B. Resource Protection
Papoose Cave is both delicate and pristine. It is listed as a "significant cave in Federal lands," and thereby protected under the Federal Cave resources Protection Act of 1988. The greatest effort must be made not to impact or harm its biology and geology. The NSS policy for Cave Conservation applies. No natural components of the cave shall be removed, without prior permission. Any occurrence of damage to cave formations or other aspects of the cave will be recorded, and reported to the District, so that a plan for repair and restoration can be made. Any observations of cave wildlife, particularly bat use (sightings, locations, and numbers) will also be reported. No human waste, trash or debris should be left in the cave, especially urine or feces.
The FCRPA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue permits for collection and removal of cave resources under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may impose, including the posting of bonds to ensure compliance with the provisions of any permit. Specific guidelines are found for the issuance of such permits in the Act.
The Act further states "any person who, without prior authorization from the Secretary, knowingly destroys, disturbs, defaces, mars, alters, removes or harms any significant cave or alters the free movement of any animal or plant life into or out of any significant cave located on Federal Lands, or enters any significant cave located on Federal lands with the intention of committing any act described in the paragraph shall be punished..." The act goes on to describe specific punishment and sets civil penalties.
The District will comply with the Act by requiring permits for any collection of cave resources or when studies are proposed that could adversely impact cave resources. (See definition of Cave Resources in the FCRPA, in appendix A.)
Permits will be issued only when it has been determined that collection or studies will not create long-term impacts to cave resources. All permits will be issued with the provision that a copy of the study results is provided to the Forest Service. All permits shall require assurance from the permittee that the locations of significant caves will remain confidential. Permits will only be issued when it has been determined that the proposed activities are consistent with the FCRPA, and are within Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines.
Collection permits will be issued for scientific research purposes only. No permits will be issued for removal of cave resources intended for personal collections or for purposes unlikely to generate new contributions of scientific knowledge or understanding of Forest Service caves.
C. Safety
Papoose Cave is a remote and primitive cave in pristine condition, and as such presents significant hazards. Caving and cave-related activities require strenuous physical effort and exertion. The areas where these caving activities are conducted contain many known and unknown hazards, including, but not limited to: Air temperatures of 37-40 degrees F with humidities greater than 95%; waterfalls, sprays, drips, streams, and pools with water temperatures averaging 36 degrees F; and water flows that may make passage difficult or impassable. Each of these conditions can lead to rapid heat loss of a caver, and eventual hypothermia. Other hazards include: Vertical pits and steep walls that may contribute to falls or entrapment; a nearly continuous decline in vertical depth requiring a strenuous uphill climb to exit the cave; loose rock, and muddy floors and walls that may result in falls or falling rock; areas of complex passage that may result in getting lost; and water possibly unfit for consumption. Rescue from the cave would also be difficult, and hazardous to both victim and rescue party members.
Each individual planning to enter the cave, must become familiar and be prepared for these hazards.
It is required that each caver carry their own equipment, including but not limited to : appropriate vertical gear (and proficiency with its use, such as the ability to change from rappel to ascend, ascend to rappel, and passing obstructions and knots;) routine equipment such as helmet, helmet-mounted main light source, two back up light sources, non-skid footwear, clothing suited for cold/wet conditions; and safety gear such as extra clothing, food, first aid kit, and hypothermia gear.
It is the responsibility of each individual caver to assess the safety of any rigging or protection placed within the cave. Bolting is rarely required in Papoose Cave, and should be done only with prior permission.
A contingency plan for emergencies should be worked out prior to the trip and included with the permit, including the listing of the backup party's phone number and address. Phone numbers of possible contacts in case of an emergency include;
- Idaho Communication Center:l-800-632-8000. - Idaho County Search and Rescue: 208-983-1100 - Clearwater County Back Country Medical: 208-476-4521 - Papoose Cave Project: 208-736-0615
All accidents requiring medical attention must be reported to the District by telephone or in person within 36 hours of occurrence, and be followed by a written report filed with the District within one month of the occurrence.
D. Monitors
Each party must have a 'resource monitor' or monitor who is a designated person well familiar with the cave, serving as a resource for cave protection and caver safety. The resource monitor has the right to deny access to any caver within the party, that he / she determines may threaten the safety of the group or the integrity of the cave. Resource monitors must be approved in advance by the District. See Appendix A for approval process and responsibilities.
E. Alterations
All digging, moving of rocks, or enlargement of passages to allow exploration requires a special permit. Permits will be issued only when it has been determined that no damage to cave resources will take Place (FSM 2356.3). If formerly closed passages are opened, measures will be taken to maintain former atmospheric conditions through use of airlocks or gates.
The use of natural anchors for rigging ropes will be used when possible. Chocks, cams, and slings are acceptable low impact anchoring devices. The use of permanent anchors, such as expansion bolts, will be set only when approved in advance by the Forest Service. Acceptable reasons to set bolts would be lack of safe natural anchors, directing ropes to avoid loose rocks, reduce rope abrasion, or to protect fragile cave resources.
F. Research
Any competent researcher with a proposed project that is consistent with the FCRPA and Forest Service Policies and likely to contribute to better understanding and management of cave resources may conduct cave research. Research proposals must be submitted to the District for review and approval by the District Ranger.
G. Trip Reports
A written trip report is required for each visit to the cave. It will be submitted to the District within ten days after each trip by the resource monitor or someone delegated by the monitor. Failure of the party to submit a trip report may result in loss of resource monitor status or disapproval of future trips by party members to zone 2 areas. Trip reports should include: personnel, trip, date, time in, time out, areas entered, hours underground, people hours underground and a brief narrative. Report any or recent resource damage or vandalism, accidents, or injuries, any animal life encountered, or other unusual circumstances.
H. Cave Diving
Diving requires prior written permission by the District Ranger. Before diving will be approved, a dive plan, emergency contingency plan, and cave diver certification will have to be submitted to the District Ranger. Full cave dive certification from NSS is required for diving in Papoose Cave.
I. Emergency Procedures
A contingency plan for emergencies should be worked out prior to the trip, including the listing of a back up party's phone number and address. Phone numbers to use in case of an emergency include :
- Idaho Communication Center : l-800-632-8000. - Idaho County Search and Rescue : 208-983-1100 - Clearwater County Back Country Medical : 208-476-4521 - Papoose Cave Project : 208-736-0615
The District must know about all accidents, because of liability concerns, and they need to know early. An 'accident' is defined as something that caused a caver to seek medical attention because of an injury, or anything that possibly would be filed as a future claim against the U.S. Government. 'Incidents' (misadventures not including accidents) may be voluntarily reported on an annual basis, to help study hazards that may be clustering in an area of the cave.
J. Other Requirements
All persons under the age of 18 must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian, and such parent or guardian must execute the release.
Accidents, knowledge of break-ins or illegal entries, or other such incidents should be reported in writing to the District, within a month of their occurrence.
The Forest Service will use partnership agreements (FSM 2356.04d, 2356.4)or volunteers to assist with cave management. The use of volunteers is authorized by the Volunteers in the National Forest Act (16 USC 558), the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, and a National Memorandum of Understanding between the USDA Forest Service and the National Speleological Society, dated September 30, 1988. Agreements have been used - and will continue to be used for such activities as cave inventory, cave surveying, exploration, monitoring of use, restoration and cleanup, conservation projects, research, cave evaluations, planning, groundwater tracing, and interpretation.
The Forest Service will actively seek and participate in interagency agreements and partnerships with both Federal, State and private partners, to meet the goals of this management plan. Opportunities for cooperative bat management will be emphasized.
In several cases, partners have provided information to the Forest Service concerning the location of caves. This information will be safeguarded under the confidentiality provisions of the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act. Partners may be given access to certain cave location information during the collection of additional field data or during cave management projects. This information will be made available only when assurances have been provided that such information will be maintained in a confidential manner.
Resource Monitors
Each party must have a 'resource monitor' or monitor who is a designated person well familiar with the cave, serving as a resource for cave protection and caver safety. Resource monitors must be approved in advance by the District.
Monitors can be nominated by a grotto of the NSS, by themselves or by the PCP. Monitors will be approved by the District. Monitors approved prior to the implementation of this plan will be automatically approved as monitors under this plan. Nominations should be sent in writing to the District with a summary of caving experience and qualifications applicable to Papoose, and two references. Monitors must have a minimum of three Papoose trips. Approval will be based upon information provided by the nominators, the references, and recommendations of the PCP Executive Committee. Approval criteria ,will be weighted heavily towards the individuals ability to insure individual safety of party members and awareness of resource protection.
Monitor status may be revoked if a monitor fails to follow the requirements under section 3.
Monitors Responsibilities :
1) The first priority is to emphasize safety to each party member. The second priority is preservation of cave resources.
2) Deny access to anyone that may threaten the safety of the group or any individual that is not physically fit to complete the planned trip. The monitor may abort a trip if any individuals violate the requirements of section III.
3) Provide information and orientation concerning Papoose prior to entering the cave.
4) Provide information and orientation concerning each area of the cave that is visited, including resources that may be damaged.
5) Remind each member of the requirements that apply at appropriate times.
6) Report resource damage and vandalism to the District. Individual members of each party must still be responsible for their individual actions. The monitors are to orient and remind party members of hazards, resources, and to report to the district.
7) Submit trip reports when required for visits to restricted zones or for accidents, injuries, wildlife sightings, or other unusual circumstances.
Definitions and Abbreviations
Cave Resource - The term includes any material or substance occurring naturally in caves on Federal lands, such as animal life, plant life, paleontological, deposits, speleogens, and speleothems.
District - The Salmon River Ranger District of the Nez Perce National Forest.
FCRPA - The Federal Cave Resource Protection Act. A congressional act of 1988 to protect cave resources and foster improved cooperation between government and cavers.
NSS - The National Speleological Society
PCP - The Papoose Cave Project, an internal organization of the NSS - National Speleological Society. The project is exploring, surveying, and inventorying Papoose Cave as well assisting in the development of a its management plan.