The MICC was accepted 24 months ago
at the ASF conference in Victoria. Last year I reported that
I felt that attitudes had changed very little during the prior
12 month period. At the end of 1996 little has altered to change
my opinion. If anything I continue to dispair at the rate of
damage to fragile cave systems. Cavers are still exploring, new,
extremely low energy cave systems with techniques reminiscent
of the 1960's.
It was clear at the end of 1995 that
ASF members have either not read the MICC or do not believe that
it is necessary. Events in early 1996 where two "new"
fragile cave systems were track marked by the surveyors only to
have ALL of the track marking removed by subsequent cavers can
only be classed as caver vandalism. These actions have and will
result in considerable damage to both caves which would have been
avoided if the track/route marking had been maintained. Strong
action should be taken against the perpetrators before cave managers
begin to group all cavers into the vandal category and remove
our access rights to caves.
To ensure that ASF cavers are aware
of the MICC and what it contains, a waterproof leaflet has been
produced detailing the MICC and the Code of Ethics. This will
be distributed to clubs in prior to the ASF conference in 1997.
The costs were borne by a donation specifically for this purpose.
The limestone required for the marina
development was obtained from a quarry near Exmouth. The mining
company engaged Darren Brooks, a local WASG member, to make assessments
of any caves found as a result of the quarrying activity.
In late 1996 such as cave was found
(Quarry Cave) and Darren examined the cave and found a significant
bone deposit. He reported his find to the WA Museum and the mining
company. Before the WA Museum had time to arrange a trip to examine
the bone deposit more carefully the cave was severely damaged
as a result of blasting of the quarry face to within a short distance
of the cave entrance. Darren reported this to the WA Museum staff,
the mining company, the Department of Environment Protection and
the Department of Transport. The mining company was ordered,
by the DEP, to halt quarrying activities at or near the cave.
Unfortunately when WA Museum staff examined the cave the main
chamber was severely damaged and the bone deposit could not be
accessed.
Until stringent clauses are placed
in conditions of mining that cause the immediate session of mining
if a cave is discovered or breached then caves such as Quarry
Cave will continue to be destroyed. Approaches will be made to
the DEP to attempt to ensure that such protection is afforded
to caves found as a result of quarry activities.
During 1996 an amazingly comprehensive
report (given the short time available) was prepared by Elery
Hamilton-Smith, Andy Spate and Kevin Keirnan on the significance
of the Cape Range caves and karst for the DEP. This report detailed
many of the shortcomings of previous work and highlighted the
world significance of the Cape Range by recommending World Heritage
Listing. Attempts were made by the DEP to keep the report secret
and not to release its findings. Fortunately the report was leaked
to the press and page one headlines ensued. Accusations flew
thick and fast for about a week as the government was severely
embarrassed by the reports findings.
The final decision of the DEP regarding
the Limestone Mine and Quicklime Plant will be released early
in 1997. At the time of writing (10 March 1997) it had not been
released. This issue is likely to be a major one for the ASF if
the DEP rules that the mine is to proceed in its current location.
The department of Conservation and
Land Management (CALM) has stopped listening to caver input into
cave management issues in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
via the Cave Management Advisory Committee (CMAC). As a result
the proposed assessment of the now 500+ non caving club leaders
is not likely to proceed despite considerable effort by members
of the caving community.
The proposal to develop Calgardup
and Giants caves as locked self-guided caves generated two complete
proposals as well as a submission from the Augusta Margaret River
Tourism Association (AMRTA) to run a booking system for the caves
and to conduct commercial tours.
A rewrite of the original CALM proposal
attempts to alter the entire permit system by proposing fees of
$7 (adults) and $4 (children) for all of the 15 self guided caves
in the LNNP. This proposal has the potential to provide considerable
funds for CALM to employ cave guides and managers. It also has
the potential to destroy the permit system with leaders caving
without permits in protest at the pricing structure. Juggling
these two balls will be a large challenge for CALM managers.
Results next year?
A major stairway has been constructed
in Calgardup Cave. Despite the development of a site working
plan for the cave the development of the cave was conducted on
an ad-hoc basis resulting in considerable overdevelopment with
the use of incorrect materials resulting in unnecessary cave pollution.
An abseiling platform is in place
over the Calgardup Cave solution pipe. This platform has reduced
the damage at the site to almost zero. Restoration work is still
required.
Considerably more work is required at a number of the sites in
the LNNP before caves will stop being degraded.
The Interpretive Centre at Lake Cave
called CaveWorks will be officially opened on 22nd
February 1997. The centre developed with a large Australian Tourism
Commission grant, considerable monies from other government agencies
and the AMRTA is set to be the center for caver education in the
South-West.
The efforts of the AMRTA in taking
the concept, originally from the CMAC, and turning it into reality
must be applauded loudly. Caves can only benefit from the education
of cave visitors.
The election of the liberal government
placed the proposed listing in limbo. No new developments have
occurred since the WA liberal government was elected. Same status
as 1994.
As at February 1997 none of the proposed
National Parks or reserves in the Nullarbor region have been declared.
The required legislation is STILL LOST (I have stated the same
thing for the last 6 years!) in government mumbo jumbo! This
has now worsened as a result of the Mabo and Wik decisions.
Weebubbie Cave was closed to visitors
in late 1996 by the Department of Land Administration (DOLA) as
a result of a mining engineer's report on a rockfall that occurred
in the cave. By January 1997 the ASF had negotiated access to
Weebubbie Cave for ASF leaders. This result was only achieved
because of the comprehensive nature of the ASF public liability
insurance. Details of how access is obtained will appear elsewhere.
Last year I indicated that the number
of features on the Nullarbor had doubled since 1994. During the
past 12 months the numbering of features has continued to increase
with over 1600 features now numbered. While the number of new
caves is significant the documentation, track marking and surveying
of these features continues to be poor. Those cavers responsible
for finding caves should also act responsibly and undertake follow
up work on their finds. The lack of surveys and track marking
is resulting in damage to a significant number of new caves.
Groups with no caving experience
have been given access to caves in the Yanchep National Park despite
the protests of recognised caving groups. This management decision
appears to have occurred at a very high level within CALM. Hence
the major concern as it shows a considerable lack of understanding
regarding the fragility of the cave resource.
Attempts will be made to try and
reverse this disturbing management decision.
The draft Management Plan was released
for comment during 1996 and the ASF responded with the following
recommendations for alteration or inclusion in the final plan:-
The Federation proposes the alteration of the recommendations
from Section 5 of the draft Nambung National Park management plan
to read:-
1. Consider the vulnerability of geological features,
landforms and soils in all management operations, such as new
access, firebreaks, fire management plans, catchment alterations
and site developments.
2. In consultation with speleological groups,
complete a resource inventory, classification system and access
policies for caves and karst features in the area.
3. Liaise with speleological groups and other
karst management specialists regarding management and other operations
that are likely to impact on karst features.
The Federation proposes the following additional recommendation for Section 6, Hydrology:-
Consult with other government agencies and adjacent
land owners to devise land use agreements to ensure the long term
conservation of river catchments.
The Federation proposes that the following additional recommendation be added to Section 11 under Prescribed Burning:-
3. Burn Plans will contain edge burns at identified cave and karst sites that are considered highly vulnerable to damage from fires.
The Federation proposes that an additional recommendation
be added to section 13 Introduced Plants and Animals:-
3. Sensitive cave and karst sites will be monitored
for introduced species and eradicated as soon as practicable.
After checking with the ranger in
charge at Nambung National Park it was found that the final plan
is still under preparation and should be released during 1997.
No management plan has been prepared
for the park and one is not likely in the near future. This lack
of management plan leaves issues such as the impact of adjacent
land clearing on caves in the park in limbo.
The ASF opposed a significant land
clearance on a large block adjacent to the Drovers Cave National
Park as it is considered to be the catchment for Old River Cave.
This cave is the largest cave in the park and the only known
cave in the park with an active streamway. The massive land clearance
is expected to have a significant effect on the water levels within
the cave.
The DEP report on the proposed land
clearance recommended that the clearance be given the go ahead
with a number of minor monitoring restrictions. Unfortunately
no monitoring was proposed in Old River Cave despite ASF recommendation
to the contrary. The ASF has appealed the decision and the current
status is that we are awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
A proposal is being derived to "open"
the gate and other cemented closed solution pipes on Drovers Cave
so that air movement can be restored to the cave and hopefully
bats will return to the cave. This proposal is currently stalled
on the design of the future gate. Further developments are anticipated
in 1997.