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The National Speleological Society and the Cave Diving
Section believes; that caves have unique scientific,
recreational, and scenic values; that these values
are endangered by both carelessness and intentional
vandalism; that these values, once gone, cannot be
recovered; and that the responsibility for protecting
caves must be assumed by those who study and enjoy
them.
Accordingly, the intention of the Society is to work
for the preservation of caves with a realistic policy
sup-ported by effective programs for: the encouragement
of self-discipline among cavers; education and research
concerning the causes and prevention of cave damage;
and special projects, including cooperation with other
groups similarly dedicated to the conservation of
natural areas.
Specifically: All contents of a cave - formations,
life and loose deposits - are significant for it's
enjoyment and interpretation.
Therefore, caving parties should leave a cave as they
find it. They should find means for the removal of
waste; Limit marking to a few, small and removable
signs as are needed for surveys; and, especially,
exercise extreme care not to accidentally break or
soil formations, disturb life forms or unnecessarily
increase the number of disfiguring paths through an
area. Scientific collection is professional, selective
and minimal. The collecting of mineral or biological
material for display purposes, including previously
broken or dead specimens, is never justified, as it
encourages others to collect and destroy the interests
of the cave.
The Society encourages projects such as: establishing
cave preserves; placing entrance gates where appropriate;
opposing the sale of speleothems; supporting effective
protective measures; cleaning and restoring over-used
caves; cooperating with private cave owners by providing
knowledge about their cave and assisting them in protecting
their cave and property from damage during cave visits;
and encourage commercial cave owners to make use of
their opportunity to aid the public in understanding
caves and the importance of their conservation.
Where there is reason to believe that publications
of cave locations will lead to vandalism before adequate
protection can be established, the Society will oppose
such publication.
It is the duty of every Society member to take personal
responsibility for spreading a consciousness of the
cave conservation problem to each potential user of
caves. Without this, the beauty and value of our caves
will not long remain with us.
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