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WNS - Closure Order Exception: Guidelines, Procedures and Application
About WNS | Environmental Analysis | Information for Cavers
Active members of the National Speleological Society and Cave Research Foundation may apply for cave access for activities consistent with national agreements. Those not active members of NSS or CRF may apply for access to caves and abandoned mines under Exception 5. Other activities will be evaluated as well as they are consistent with the closure order.
Exception requests will be reviewed if sent to R2WNS@fs.fed.us. or by regular mail to this address USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: Renewable Resources / Cave access request, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401. Exceptions will be approved or denied by the appropriate Forest Supervisor.
Please follow procedures below to apply for written permission:
- Review the closure order to determine if you qualify for an exception.
- Determine under which exception your request should be submitted for review.
- Complete Exception Form No. 5 for activities consistent with this exception by following this link: Exception Form Number 5.
- Complete Exception Form No. 6 if you are an active member of NSS or CRF and for activities consistent with the national agreements follow this link to complete Exception Form Number 6. Review national Memorandums of understanding the the National Speleological Society (NSS) and Cave Research Foundation (CRF) to determine if your planned activities are consistent with these agreements.
- Once your form is submitted, you may be contacted by personnel on the forest for which you are requesting cave access.
- Allow up to two weeks to receive notice about your request.
- For all follow up inquiries, please send e-mails to R2WNS@fs.fed.us. This e-mail inbox is monitored often.
Anyone issued approved Access to Caves and/or abandoned mines agrees to:
- Adhere to decontamination procedures
- Use dedicated clothing and equipment - this means no clothing or equipment that has been used in WNS positive states and provinces (eastern Canada).
- Provide data to the Forest Service upon completion of the activities. For Exception 6 this will include a Cave Trip form and any additional information as agreed with the approving Forest. For Exception 5: any information agreed upon.
Exceptions to Closure Order
Exception 6: Active members of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and Cave Research Foundation (CRF) may request written permission to the U.S. Forest Service. Please Note: Caves will be closed October 15th – April 15th under this Exception, unless specifically authorized (access may be granted to assist with or conduct WNS work during the winter)
Please follow this link for Procedures and Guidelines.
Exception 5: If you are not an active member of NSS or CRF you may still apply for written permission to conduct activities that will provide data for nominating caves as significant under the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act (link) and work related WNS research, surveillance, and monitoring.
Caves and mines still remain closed to the general public. The intention of the closure is to minimize the potential spread of the fungus that causes White-nose Syndrome and continue to learn from and contribute to the understanding of under what conditions the fungus thrives and infects bats.
This year, the closure order provides exemptions to active members of the National Speleological Society and Cave Research Foundation with written approval for activities consistent with national agreements with both organizations.
- The agreements allow for education, inventory, research, monitoring, protection, restoration and other activities necessary to conserve cave resources.
- Caves will be closed during the winter hibernation season (October 15 through April 15), even under exemptions, unless authorized by the U.S. Forest Service.
There are roughly 30,000 abandoned mines and hundreds of caves on National Forest System lands throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, with about 75 percent of those abandoned mines and high concentrations of caves within Colorado. The Forest Service does not have comprehensive information about where bats are roosting and hibernating, making it impossible to rule out specific caves that do not warrant closures. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
For additional information about White-nose Syndrome check out the right column links.