Rattling Cave Management Plan
Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
The following management plan was approved by the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy on August 15, 2002. The intent of this plan is to protect the property and to preserve the good relationship that the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) has established with the surrounding landowners and neighbors. The Board recognizes that many cavers and organizations have supported the acquisition of the property, and wishes to make access as open as possible. Please observe the rules and encourage others to do the same so that this unique and beautiful natural site may be enjoyed by all.
Rattling Cave, TCO-2, is located just east of the Pigeon River in the city limits of Newport Tennessee. The cave is leased and managed by The Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. in order to protect and preserve the cave and its ecosystem, and to ensure access for qualified cavers, researchers, and other persons interested in speleology.
The purpose of this management plan is to document the resources to be managed and protected, and to establish a set of rules and procedures to aid in the protection of the cave and those resources. Management and supervision of the preserve will be the responsibility of the Rattling Cave Management Committee, as established and directed by the Board of Directors of The SCCi, and shall be conducted in accordance with this plan as adopted and amended by the Board.
The SCCi, with the development of this management plan, wishes to balance the needs of the cave with the recreational and scientific needs of people. By observing these few rules, it is our intention that Rattling Cave be protected and conserved in its natural state for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Rattling Cave was one of the earliest caves explored in the east Tennessee region by organized cavers. In 1949, William M. Morrison and eight others rigged ropes, ladders and pulleys for the 130 foot descent into the cave. The cave has a number of attractive formation areas, contains an abundance of cave dwelling fauna including the Grey Bat, and has been a popular destination for modern cavers.
Slightly over 2,000 feet in length, the cave contains a sizable population of the federally endangered Grey Bat. In order to protect the cave, the bat population, and the cave ecosystem, the SCCi has entered into a management agreement in the form of a lease with the Newport Utilities Board.
1. The SCCi Rattling Cave Management Committee is responsible for the supervision and management of the cave and for the implementation of this plan.
2. Due to the presence of winter hibernating population of endangered Gray Bats, the cave is closed to all access from September 15 until April 30 with the exception of access required for wildlife management, scientific study, and/or stewardship and conservation work. Such access will be by specific permission of the Board, will follow the same rules and procedures stated for entering the cave and will be made under the supervision of the property manager.
3. Outside the closed period defined above, access to the cave is permitted for exploration, recreation, and other non-commercial activities. Entry into the cave shall be limited to those activities that will not cause any adverse impact on the cave or the bats or other flora in the cave ecosystem.
4. While membership in the SCCi is not required for access to the Preserve, the Conservancy strongly recommends that visitors be members. Membership in the National Speleological Society is also encouraged.
5. To minimize impact, the Conservancy asks that groups visiting the cave be small. Please try to keep the number of people in your group to six (6) or fewer. Large groups have greater impact on the cave environment.
6. Use of the caves for any type of commercial activity or purpose, including guided or commercial caving or other similar activity, is not allowed.
7. Vehicles, bicycles, horses or any other methods of entering the property are limited to existing roads and designated parking areas. Parking is limited to three vehicles at the designated parking areas stated below.
8. Trunks of all rigging trees shall be padded for the protection of the trees.
9. Camping is not allowed on the preserve.
10. Campfires are prohibited on the preserve.
11. Collection or removal of wildlife, artifacts, speleothems, or any other natural or cultural resources of the preserve are not permitted without written permission of the SCCi Board.
12. Modification of the cave or property, including the placing of bolts or other artificial anchors or the digging or excavation of passages or entrances, is prohibited without written permission of the SCCi Board.
13. Vandalism or damage to the preserve, including its caves and wildlife, will be prosecuted in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
1. Upon arrival to the premises cave users must proceed to the water tower at the water treatment plant at top of hill at 850 Cedar Street (423-625-2850) and sign a designated entry log book for entrance to the cave.
2. Upon exiting the cave, users will return to the water treatment plant and “log out” giving notice that all members of the party are out of the cave.
3. Parking is allowed in the immediate area of the trailhead. Do not block the road. In dry weather, the clearing opposite the side of the road where the trail begins may be used.
4. Cave users will endeavor to visit during normal business hours but can do so after hours or on weekends as long as visitation procedures established and implemented by the SCCi are followed. Gates on the premises may be locked during non traditional business hours and on weekends. The gate/s may be opened by making request to water plant personnel at the time entry log is signed.
5. Problems, questions or suggestions concerning this access procedure may be addresses to the Rattling Cave Management committee.
The Southeastern Cave Conservancy .supports an open exchange of knowledge and welcomes research proposals, provided preserve rules are followed. Research and educational field trips may be conducted at Rattling Cave for biological, historical, climatological, archeological and other aspects of cave science that may provide a greater understanding of speleology and Rattling Cave’s significance. Students and other researchers are encouraged to submit their written proposals to the SCCi Board for consideration. The safety and security of the preserve, and its flora and fauna, is always the first concern when reviewing any research requests, therefore any proposal that might alter conditions present on the preserve will not be considered.
Biological researchers are required to follow Tennessee State Laws regarding specimen collection and must obtain any applicable permits. No collection of species on the preserve or within the cave is permitted without written permission from The SCCi Board. Historical and archeological researchers must also follow any applicable laws and obtain any required permits. The SCCi requires that no artifacts be collected from the cave. All researchers are required to submit a copy of any information or reports generated from their studies to the SCCi board.
As a general rule, The Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. does not advertise or publicize its preserves. Rattling Cave is well known in the local community. The Management Committee may develop and recommend to the Board any articles, presentations, programs, or other forms of publicity that it feels may be beneficial to the preserve or the Conservancy by developing or improving community relations, preventing vandalism, abuse, and accidents, or promoting appreciation of caves and cave conservation. In accordance with the SCCi general policy on publications and announcements, Any articles, presentations, programs, or public statements regarding the preserve must be reviewed and approved by the SCCi Chair, and will be made or presented by a person or persons designated by the Chair.
The SCCi Rattling Cave Management Committee may be contacted by email at rattling@scci.org, or via the contact information listed on the SCCi web site at www.scci.org/preserves.
The Board of Directors of The Southeastern Cave Conservancy reserves the right to modify this plan and its policies as it deems necessary. In addition, The SCCi and the Preserve Managers have the right to refuse access to Rattling Cave to anyone. Anyone found defacing the cave or formations, or causing harm to the plants and wildlife of the preserve will be subject to prosecution under both state and federal laws. For any questions or concerns or to report vandalism or other aberrant activities at the preserve, please contact The SCCi Preserve Management Committee.