Last Update: 3/27/2006
2006 Caver Access
The SCCi now manages caver access to the Sinking Cove area (also known as Compartment Four of the Carter Lands) under a lease agreement. The area was closed to cavers in February, 2001 when it was leased by a new management group. By executing a sub-lease of caving rights from Deep South Outdoors, SCCi re-opened the area to cavers for access outside of Tennessee deer and turkey seasons.
Access for caving and camping is governed by the Sinking Cove Cave Preserve Management Plan. In a nutshell, you must email ahead and notify us that you're coming. You will receive a letter in response that will serve as your permit. At least one person in the group must be a current SCCi member. Our lease requires that the individual named on the permit be a current member of SCCi. Large groups (more than 16 people) need to request special permission at least two weeks in advance. The combination to the SCCi lock on the gate at the end of Sinking Cove Road will be provided with your permit letter. The combination is changed frequently by the preserve managers. Special lock codes are assigned for the duration of group permits.
Your Permission Response Letter is your Permit
Deep South Outdoors (DSO), the primary lease holder for the area including
Sinking Cove and Custard Hollow, requires that all permit holders must carry
their permit with them while on the property and be prepared to show it when asked by any of
the staff or other users. This policy was instituted by the DSO to control unauthorized access, poaching, and vandalism. It was designed for the
hunters, but we have to abide as well.
Our situation is a little different, as we are allowed to take guests where the hunters are not. In our case, at least one member of any group of cavers present must be an SCCi member and must have the permit letter. That individual is the permit holder, and his or her name will be on the permit letter. The other members of the group are regarded as guests of that member. The permit holder is responsible for knowing the rules and conditions of the permit and making sure that all members of the group abide by them. Cavers should carry a copy of their permit letter with them (one copy per group) when hiking to entrances remote from their parking area.
Property Cleanup
As part of the lease, we are required to contribute to the maintenance and
upkeep of the property. This is usually done in May at the beginning of the
Summer open season.
The SCCi pays a substantial annual fee for this lease. Contributions and donations to help cover the cost of the lease are very much appreciated.
Buddy Lane
Bill Putnam
Sinking Cove Property Management Committee
Southeastern Cave Conservancy
sinkingcove@scci.org