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UTAH - TIMPANOGOS GROTTO OF THE N.S.S.
CANDLELIGHT CAVE MANAGEMENT PLAN

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Reprinted from
Candlelight Cave Management Plan
Prescribed by the Utah Grottos and the BLM
Updated March 21, 1997
Revision May 1, 2000
Reviewed May 3, 2001
MAIN GOAL

The main goal of the Candlelight Cave Management Plan is Conservation. To bring about a means of enjoying the beauty of this resource while utilizing the most reasonable means to protect the cave from overuse and abuse. Remember,

The Cave Comes First!
TRIP SCHEDULING & KEYS

Key Locations

* There will be one (1) key to Candlelight Cave and One Key Holder to be selected by members of the four participating Utah Grottos. Each Grotto agrees that access to the cave will be subject to all other guidelines listed in this document.

Fair Access

* There is to be no more than one trip per month into Candlelight Cave. Each of the four participating grottos will have a month three times a year in which they will have the option to "Host" a trip. They will be on a rotation as follows beginning in May of 2000:

  • Bear River Grotto: January, May, September
  • Timpanogos Grotto: February, June, October
  • Wasatch Grotto: March, July, November
  • Salt Lake Grotto: April, August, December

* Trips into Candlelight Cave must be planned by the grotto, at least one grotto meeting prior to their scheduled month.

* If the grotto meeting has passed and no trip was planned for that grotto's scheduled month, then the grotto may give their trip to another grotto. The grotto receiving the extra trip must follow the same criteria as if it was their scheduled month's trip.

Host Key Holder Qualifications & Responsibilities

The key holder needs to be a leader in the caving community in regards to cave conservation. This person must also be reliable in implementing the Candlelight Cave Management Plan as established by the Utah Grottos of the NSS and the BLM.

The key holder must have knowledge of people who frequently cave in the four Utah Grottos.

The key holder will coordinate with the month's trip leader and the grotto chairpersons as necessary to facilitate access to the cave.
TRIPS

Purpose of Access

* Each grotto shall be free to determine the purpose of their trips.

* No one shall be allowed to receive commercial gain from any activity related to receiving access to Candlelight Cave.

Trip Leader Qualifications & Responsibilities

* Each grotto shall be free to determine the purpose of their trips.

* No one shall be allowed to receive commercial gain from any activity related to receiving access to Candlelight Cave.

Trip Leader Qualifications & Responsibilities

* Each Grotto shall be free to determine their Trip Leader (except that this person must have been on three previous trips into the cave).

* The Trip Leader is responsible to obtain the key from the key holder, fill out the necessary permit information, and submit a trip report to the Utah Caver and the key holder within one month of the trip.

* The Trip Leader is responsible to follow and enforce the Candlelight Cave Management Plan and the conservation ethics of the NSS.

Joining a Trip

* All persons have the right to visit Candlelight Cave providing they have the necessary vertical skills, knowledge, and experience to negotiate the challenges this cave has to offer.

* Said abilities must have been exhibited to the Trip Leader, or to someone who can recommend the individual to the Trip Leader.

* The Trip Leader may withhold permission for an individual to join a scheduled trip based upon his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the individuals abilities. Only the Trip Leader may give permission to join a trip.

Trip Size

*Each trip is allowed a total of six persons. With the exception of main passage, there are never to be more than four persons to an area. Survey trips should organize into two groups of three, or one group of four.

Specific Rules

Eating in this cave is not allowed, except in designated areas.

Camping in not allowed in this cave or mine.

* All waste - human or otherwise, must be removed completely from the cave and mine system.

* The Trip Leader may withhold permission for an individual to join a scheduled trip based upon his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the individuals abilities.

* All activities shall be conducted so as to prevent damage to Candlelight Cave, and to minimize risk in terms of safety to trip members.
CARE & MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Planning

* All Maintenance to Candlelight Cave will be conducted jointly by the Utah Grottos and the BLM.

* The Utah Grottos and the BLM will agree to all major maintenance activities prior to any expenditure of time and capital.

* The Utah Grottos will provide a volunteer labor base, including technical expertise if available within the grotto membership

* The BLM will provide the necessary equipment and funding. They will also provide additional expertise when required.
PROTECTION / RESTORATION

Locks/Access

* The cave gate lock will be replaced yearly, or a non-duplicable lock will be placed on the gate.

Flagging/Marking

* Whenever deemed to be required, to prevent undo damage to Candlelight Cave caused by traffic through the cave, during all surveys and exploration, survey flags will be placed to designate routes and trade areas. Trade areas are defined as junctions, resting points, etc.

* Whenever deemed necessary, red and white survey flags or markers will be placed to alert visitors of extremely delicate or unusual features which may be damaged inadvertently unless otherwise warned of the situation.

Restoration to Natural/Historical State

* Whenever possible, except in areas of historical significance, the cave will be restored to it's natural state.

* Items of historical significance will be replaced to the areas where first found, or moved to where they may be visually appreciated, except in cases of valuable, delicate or exotic historical items which will be removed and donated to a mutually agreed upon historical society or museum.

* In conjunction with the physical survey activities, a complete and accurate inventory will be made, to document the location and type of artifact found.

* No attempt will be made to change or alter the present state of any artifacts.

* Items already removed will be held in state by an appointed Utah Grottos member until such selection(s) are made. (The appointed individual is Alan Bartholomew of the Timpanogos Grotto.)

Each Grotto is responsible for it's people on grotto trips. It is responsible for the promotion and enforcement of the Candlelight Cave Management Plan and the conservation ethics of the NSS. Persons violating the Candlelight Cave Management Plan will be subject for review by their individual grotto's board of governors, and may be denied further access into the cave or mine.

This management plan was reviewed May 1999

Provisions are to remain intact until reviewed in May 2001

Minor revisions made May 2000 to include new Bear River Grotto

This Management Plan was reviewed in May 2001

Minor provisions previously duscussed added May 2002

Provisions are to remain intact until reviewed in May 2004

Copyright 2002 Timpanogos Grotto

Maintained by Jon Jasper - last updated to match the PDF download version by Michael Leavitt 3/14/2009
Timpanogos Grotto of the National Speleological Society
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