The Bend/Rock Ranger District has released its Road 18 Caves Environmental Assessment (EA) for 30 day public comment. The District is planning to authorize existing bolted sport climbing routes in Hidden Forest Cave, a large lava tube cavern in Central Oregon. In 1992-1993 local rock climbers installed approximately 160 bolted climbing anchors in an area 50 ft. x 80 ft. near the cave’s entrance. A bolting moratorium has been in place since 1994. Over the years a number of bolts have been removed and the current number is unknown.
The regional Grottos, Central Oregon Cave Conservation Task Force (COCTF), National Speleological Society and the Northwest Chapter of the American Cave Conservation Association have all supported efforts to prevent the development of bolted sport climbing recreation areas in Central Oregon caves. The Willamette Valley Grotto has repeatedly asked for permission to remove the climbing equipment installed in Hidden Forest Cave. Alternative C is the Preferred Alternative and will allow the existing bolted climbing routes in Hidden Forest Cave to be authorized for climbing. Please write the Bend/Fort Rock District and express your support for Alternative B of the Road 18 Caves EA. Alternative B best reflects the spirit and intent of the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (FCRPA) and will allow removal of the bolts and restoration of the cave. Public comments must be received by July 5th, 2001.
The Environmental Assessment can be found at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/index.html
See “What’s New, 6/11/01” for a NEPA document list. The Road 18 Caves EA is listed under Bend/Fort Rock District NEPA Documents.
Send your comments to:
Walt Schloer, District Ranger
Attn: Road 18 Caves EA
Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District
1230 NE 3rd St., Suite A-262
Bend, OR 97701
Tel: (541) 383-4772, FAX (541) 383-4700
Points to keep in mind:
Installation of large numbers of bolted fixed anchors in a Significant Cave on federal land constitutes damage and defacement and is illegal under section 7 of the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act. It is considered unethical by the organized caving community.
Hidden Forest Cave is an archaeological site with prehistoric pictographs. 21.8% of climbers visiting the cave in 1999 climbed on the closed rock art panel, an estimated 103 violations per year (COCTF) Hidden Forest Cave is a 1/3 acre lava tube collapse sink in the desert with a small forest of old growth Ponderosa pines and a 130 foot long cave. It receives an estimated 1,738 per year. Garbage is a problem. Please support Alternative B of the Road 18 Caves Environmental Assessment.
This will provide the most protection for Hidden Forest Cave. The Preferred Alternative (c) is not consistent with the stated objectives of the Environmental Assessment; the protection of Significant Caves on federal land.
Remember, your public comment must be received by July 5th
If you have any questions please contact Larry King at lking@teleport.com