Adopted August 16, 1997
Revised Sept 6, 2001
Revised August 29, 2009

It is the intention of the SCCi that the South Pittsburg Pit Preserve be kept in its natural and undeveloped state, and that it be managed for the purposes of conservation, resource protection, recreation, and scientific study. The South Pittsburg Pit Preserve Management Committee has been created by act of the Board, and is charged with the implementation of the management plan and the policies and procedures set forth below.

Contact the SCCi South Pittsburg Property Managers David Crisp or Carl Lehmann at Southpittsburg@scci.org if you have questions or to request special arrangements.

1. While membership is not required for each person visiting the preserve, the SCCi strongly recommends that visitors be members of the SCCi. Membership in the National Speleological Society is also encouraged.

2. Park only in the designated area, and drive only on existing roads. Do not block access to roads or gates. Parking along the road leading to the preserve is not allowed.
a. All gates are to remain locked at all times, except while entering or leaving the preserve. Keys, combinations, and locks are not to be duplicated, distributed, or modified except by persons authorized by the SCCi Board.

3. To avoid parking and over-use problems during caving conventions and special events, access to the property will be limited during those events to trips organized through the property management committee.

4. To minimize the impact to the cave and for safety around the pit, the SCCi requests that groups entering the cave be limited to twelve (12) people or fewer, with a minimum group size of 3 people.

5. Camping visitors must notify the property management team before visiting the preserve. They will be provided with the key or combination to the gate so that they may enter the property and park in the designated area. A SCCi permit is required for camping on the property and serves as written permission.

a. Arrangements for camping must be made in advance by contacting the SCCi South Pittsburg Pit property managers at least two weeks before the desired date. The SCCi and the Preserve Managers reserve the right to refuse access to the South Pittsburg Pit Preserve to anyone.

b. Permits may be obtained by emailing the property managers at Southpittsburg@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. 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.

c. Visitors may be asked to show their permit while on the preserve. Campers must carry permission and a current code number in case of inquiry by property managers or law enforcement personnel.

d. Camping is not permitted inside the cave or in the entrance area.

e. Campfires are for campers and are allowed in existing fire ring at the designated camping area only, and are never permitted inside the cave, in or near the entrance sink, or within 40 feet of any sinkhole or cave entrance on the property. Bring your own firewood; do not collect or cut firewood on the property.

f. All human waste must be packed out. Use toilet paper sparingly and pack it out. Otherwise, burn in a very hot campfire, not with matches or lighter. Personal hygiene products should also be packed out or “hot” burned. Do not bury toilet paper or leave it lying on the ground - it may be dug up and scattered by animals. Pack it out for proper disposal off-site.

6. Please keep noise to a minimum and be discreet while changing clothes. Fireworks, explosives, loud music, and other noisemaking activities are prohibited. All visitors to the preserve are expected to be considerate of our neighbors, and refrain from disturbing them, especially at night. The preserve is a natural area, and should be treated with peaceful and quiet appreciation.

7. All plants and animals on the Preserve are to be respected and observed from a distance, and are never to be removed. Avoid disturbing wild life and plant life. Cave flora, fauna, and cultural resources are to be left undisturbed. In addition, do not touch, break, or remove formations from the cave. Do not cut trees or brush for firewood or any other purpose. 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 abusive activities at the preserve, please contact the Preserve Management Committee.

8. Please remove any trash that you bring to the preserve. Also, please help keep the cave and preserve clean by removing any trash left by others. Spray-painting, carbide marking, and all other types of graffiti are never permitted. Vandalism and abuse of the cave or the surface areas of the preserve will be prosecuted. Modifications of the cave or preserve, including placing bolts or artificial anchors, marking or constructing trails, cutting trees or brush, and other similar activities, are prohibited without written permission from the SCCi Board. Alterations to the natural morphology of the cave and surrounding landscape, such as digging new entrances or excavating passages, can have dramatic effects on the cave microclimate by changing temperature, humidity, and water flow. This, in turn, can have negative effects on the cave life. Therefore all digging, excavation, or blasting on the property or in the cave is prohibited without written permission from the SCCi Board. Persons violating this policy may be subject to prosecution under state and federal laws. No collection of specimens, artifacts, or any type of natural or cultural resources from the preserve or the cave is permitted without written permission from the SCCi Board.

9. Hunting or discharging firearms on the property is not permitted.

10. Use of the cave or property for any type of commercial activity, including guided or commercial caving or other recreational activity, is not permitted.