Adopted 26 October 2002, Amended 25 January 2003, Amended 20 September 2003,
Amended 12 June 2004, Amended 20 May 2006
The purpose of
the Wolf River Cave Management Policy is to protect the habitat of the second largest
endangered Indiana Bat hibernaculum in Tennessee, as well as any other
endangered and/or threatened species which inhabit the cave, and to preserve
and protect the unique biological, cultural, geological, and other resources of
the Wolf River Cave Preserve. The cave and property will have limited and
carefully managed access. Primary consideration will be given to the protection
and preservation of the cave and its contents.
1. Wolf River Cave is managed by the Wolf River Cave
Preserve Management Committee on behalf of The
Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. Permission is required to visit the
cave. There is no entry fee required for access to the cave.
2. The Wolf River
Cave Preserve Management Committee can be reached by email at wolfriver@scci.org.
3. Wolf River Cave is located on private property owned
by The Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. Visitors should remember that they
are guests when they are visiting the cave.
4. The cave is closed to all access from September 1 through April 30, while the Indiana Bats are in hibernation. No entry will be
allowed during the closed period without written permission of the SCCi Board.
5. Membership
in the Southeastern Cave Conservancy is not required for access to Wolf
River Cave, but it is strongly encouraged. Membership in the National Speleological Society is also strongly
encouraged.
6. Visitation is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Management Committee should be contacted
as soon as is possible for access arrangements in order to avoid scheduling
conflicts.
7. To minimize impact to the cave, the SCCi prefers
that groups visiting the cave be limited to eight (8) people or fewer. A
minimum group size of three (3) is required. A minimum ratio of one (1) adult
per four (4) minors will be observed on all trips. No more than two (2) groups
(a maximum of 16 people total) will be allowed into the cave in any 24-hour
period.
8. Cave flora, fauna and cultural resources are to be left undisturbed. Visitors should exercise care to remain on the path and avoid all marked areas that may contain cultural resources or pristine formations.
9. Due
to the presence of sensitive areas, including archeological and other features,
dogs are not allowed in the cave.
10. Use of the preserve for any type of commercial
activity, including caving or other recreational activities is not allowed.
11. Camping
on the surface areas of the Preserve is allowed. Campfires are permitted only
in established fire rings, and may not be located within 100 yards of the
entrance. Camping in the cave is not permitted.
12. Visitors
should keep noise to a minimum, both inside and outside the cave, and be
discreet while changing clothes. The cave entrance and parking area are within
sight of a well-used road.
13. Modification
of the cave or property, including placing bolts or other artificial anchors,
or the digging or excavation of passages or entrances, is prohibited without
written permission from the SCCi Board.
14. Keys
and locks are not to be modified or duplicated by anyone except by the
Management Committee.
15. In
order to prevent unauthorized entry, the cave is to remain locked at all times,
even when a group is inside the cave.
16. The
Wolf River Cave Preserve Management Committee and the Southeastern Cave
Conservancy Inc. reserve the right to refuse access to the cave to any
individual or group. Decisions of the committee may be appealed to the SCCi
Board.
17. There
are no parking facilities available at Wolf River Cave. Visitors agree to park
at their own risk.
SCCi Wolf River Cave
Preserve Management Committee
Kristen Bobo, Chair