04/20/06

Membership Levels Privileges and Responsibilities

All memberships cost $25 annually. 

-Active:voting, full access to property. 24 hours labor per year required

-Contributing: voting, expedited access to property.  8 Hours labor per year required.

-Donor: non-voting, expedited access to property.

-Nonmember: no votes and must apply for access 1 week in advance.

People start out as donor members, and move up as they fulfill work requirements.

All members must take personal responsibility for the actions of any guests they bring.

Only individuals may have voting rights memberships.  Organizations are welcome to be donor members. All members will sign a liability waiver which will be kept on file, in order to expedite their access to the cave. All non-members must sign a liability waiver before entering the cave. 

Access and Use of Conservancy Property

-caretaker responsibilities and authority

His/her authority stems from our designation of them as caretaker and abuse of that authority can result in loss of that position. Otherwise, (s)he is responsible for making sure groups are adequately equipped when they enter the cave, are not in "party mode" and seem to possess the wherewithal to complete the trip without assistance or rescue. If the rules are not followed, he has the authority to exclude, expel the violators, call the Sheriff's department if necessary, and keep a list of names of offenders.

Exceptions to all access and use policies may be granted by majority vote of the executive board.  If exemption is granted, the visitor(s) will retain a permit for the exemption for review by either the caretaker or any active member or member of the executive board

Normal access time is from 7am to 9pm.

As this is a Conservancy, all visitors to the cave and land above are required to use minimal impact techniques.

All visitors must sign in at the kiosk.

All cavers must wear helmets with chinstraps and each carry three independent sources of light while in the cave.  It is recommended that at least one of the lights be helmet mounted.

All trash must be carried out of the cave and off of the property. 

Group size is a minimum of 3 adults unless otherwise approved by the executive board.  At least one person in the group is required to have sufficient knowledge of the cave to avoid becoming lost.

Groups containing minors shall have at least one adult for every 5 minors and must have the minimum of 3 adults.

Groups of more than 10 individuals need to apply for a special use permit.

Any group charging money for participation in the trips must have a special use permit and approval by the executive board and Richard Blenz.  Groups may be required to show proof of liability insurance which specifically names the Richard Blenz Nature Conservancy, Inc, its officers, and Richard Blenz as coinsured and indemnified. This type of use of the property is highly discouraged.  People pooling money for common expenses are exempted.

Alcohol or other intoxicants is completely prohibited in the cave.  Alcohol use is prohibited on the property except by special permission from the executive board.  Anyone witnessed drinking or partaking in intoxicants or illegal substances on the property will be asked to leave and may have membership revoked and banned from further access to the property at the discretion of the executive board. 
Smoking and other tobacco use is prohibited in the cave.

Overnight camping is restricted to 3 nights in any month.  Firewood must be brought to the property and no live plants or trees are to be cut for making fires.  Campfires are to be kept small and in provided fire rings only. Camping in the cave is discouraged and may be done by permission from the executive board.

Modification to the cave requires permission by the executive board.  The making of any marks on cave walls, ceilings, floors, or rocks is also prohibited except by permission of the executive board.

Gathering plants or forest products is discouraged except for those on the approved list.  Gathering of the approved plants and forest products must be done using minimal impact techniques.