Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
Sinking Cove Cave Preserve
Management Plan

1 May 2006

The following plan has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. to define the management of caves in the Carter Mountain Compartment Four preserve, including Sinking Cove Cave, Custard Hollow Cave, and other caves on the property, as well as the Sinking Cove Campground. The intent of this plan is to protect the property and to preserve the good relationship that the SCCi has established with the landowners, lease holders, and other users of the preserve.  Please observe the rules and encourage others to do the same so that all may enjoy this unique and beautiful natural site. Contact the SCCi Sinking Cove Preserve managers at sinkingcove@scci.org to request a visitor's permit, if you have questions, or to request special arrangements.

Area Management

1. Deep South Outdoors (DSO) will provide the Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. (SCCi) with keys or other access arrangements for gates located on roads leading to the caves and campground.
2. Gate access will be made available to SCCi members only through the Sinking Cove Property Management Committee. SCCi is responsible for installation,  maintenance, and operation of the SCCi lock on the road access gate.
3. SCCi will manage access, visitation, and usage of the caves and campground by cavers according to the Access Policy defined below.
4. The Sinking Cove Property Management Committee will be the contact for all questions or issues related to access to and management of caves on the property.
5. This plan may be revised or amended by mutual consent of Deep South Outdoors and the Southeastern Cave Conservancy.

Access Policy

1. Access to the preserve by SCCi members and guests is limited to the dates and periods determined and announced by SCCi and Deep South Outdoors. During those periods, access for caving and camping is allowed as defined by the following paragraphs.
2. At least one member of any group caving or camping on the property under the terms of the SCCi lease must be a current member of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy. All cavers visiting the property are strongly encouraged to join SCCi to help with the cost of the lease. SCCi members are encouraged to place an SCCi logo sticker on their vehicle to help identify authorized vehicles. The stickers can be obtained from the SCCi Treasurer and are free for SCCi members.
3. An SCCi permit is required for access to the caves and property. Permits may be obtained by emailing the SCCi Sinking Cove property managers at sinkingcove@scci.org. When requesting a permit, you must provide the name of an SCCi member who will accompany and be responsible for the group, along with the date and duration of the visit, parking or camping area to be used, and caves to be visited. The permit will be issued in this person’s name, and he or she will be responsible for ensuring that all members of the group abide by the terms of the permit and this management plan. Visitors may be asked to show their permit while on the preserve.
4. Please use only the established and designated roads, parking areas, and trails to reach the caves. Vehicle access is limited to the Sinking Cove Campground, the Custard Hollow Cave parking area, and the roads used to reach them. Ridgewalking is permitted only during designated and announced ridgewalk weekends. Certain areas of the preserve are wildlife sanctuaries and are off limits to all human travel or disturbance at all times. Please remember that we are guests and that the principal use of the preserve is for wildlife management.
5. To minimize impact on the cave, the property, and the wildlife, the Conservancy prefers that groups visiting the property be no larger than 16 people. Arrangements for group camping or caving involving more than 16 people must be made in advance by contacting the SCCi Sinking Cove property managers at least two weeks before the desired date.
6. Camping on the property is limited to the Sinking Cove Campground and other designated campgrounds. Campfires are allowed in existing fire rings. Please do not create new fire rings or sites.
7. All users are expected to help keep the campground and property clean. No trash or garbage may be left at the campground or on the property. Please pack out any garbage that you find.
8. Human waste should be buried at least 6 inches deep at least 100 yards from the campground or any stream or water source. Do not leave toilet paper lying on the ground - pack it out or bury it.
9. To avoid parking and over-use problems during caving conventions and special events, access to the property during those events may be limited to trips organized through the event staff and SCCi.
10. Please keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing wildlife or other visitors. Fireworks and other explosives or noisemaking devices are prohibited.
11. Use of the caves for any type of commercial activity or purpose, including guided or commercial caving or other similar activity, is not allowed.
12. Unauthorized visitors or vandals encountered on the preserve should be reported to the SCCi property managers or the DSO staff.
13. Hunting is allowed only for persons holding a hunting permit from Deep South Outdoors. Discharging firearms of any type outside of hunting season is prohibited.
14. Collection or removal of cultural or other artifacts is not allowed. Please report any artifacts or artifact sites to SCCi or DSO for proper archaeological study and preservation.
15. Collection or removal of wildlife, plants, minerals, or other items found on the property or in the caves, including scientific specimens, is not allowed without permission from SCCi and Deep South Outdoors.
16. Modification of the caves or property, including the placement of bolts or other artificial anchors, is prohibited without permission from SCCi and Deep South Outdoors.

Access Requests: sinkingcove@scci.org is a list server address which forwards messages to all persons concerned with the management of Sinking Cove, including both the SCCi and DSO.