The collapse of rocks from the ceiling inside the
Bowden Cave just east of Elkins have caused Monongahela National Forest
officials to issue a temporary closure of the Federal portion of the cave.
The unusual rock fall has raised questions about the stability of the
remaining ceiling, leading to concerns with visitor safety.
“We don’t know how long the Forest Supervisor’s closure
order will be in effect.” said Cheat-Potomac District Ranger Liz Schuppert.
“If we can determine the area has stabilized we’ll rescind the closure as
soon as possible. In the meantime we felt it was most prudent to do
everything we could to protect the public.”
The Bowden Cave, popular throughout the caving
community has a number of entrances on National Forest land. Much of the
cave lies underneath National Forest, and the closure order applies to
nearly all of the Federal portion of the cave. Natural geologic erosion
processes bring about the formation of caves in limestone rock, and can
also cause caves to collapse. In the coming weeks, cave resource
specialists plan to examine the rock fall area to develop a prognosis for
it stabilizing.
“The safety of visitors is a top priority, and I want
to emphasize this cave closure is intended to protect the public from the
extraordinary hazard that has developed in the Bowden Cave.” Ranger
Schuppert reiterated.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
cautions all Mountain State residents and visitors that the feeding of
black bears is a violation of state law, as well as a misguided disservice
to the state animal, according to Paul Johansen, Assistant Chief in Charge
of Game Management of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources
Section.
“It is understandable that some people will illegally
set out food to get a glimpse of this magnificent animal,” Johansen said.
“However, too often these actions regrettably result in the death of the
bear.”
Bears often become habituated to handouts and lose
their fear to humans. When bears lose this fear they resort to raiding
garbage, outdoor freezers, and other food sources associated with people.
Unfortunately, if these activities are repeated, Division of Natural
Resources personnel are forced to humanely destroy the offender for safety
reasons.
“Unintentional feeding of black bears is a major
concern to the Division of Natural Resources,” Johansen said. “People need
to secure garbage in bear-proof facilities and place trash out for
collection on the morning of pick-up. Residents should remove all outside
pet food at night, and bird feeders should be taken down, cleaned, and
stored until late fall to further discourage feeding around human
habitation. Following these practical and common sense recommendations
will reduce bear-human conflicts and assure that more of the state’s
animals will remain wild.”
For more information on how to discourage nuisance
bears or anyone experiencing bear problems should contact a DNR District
Office.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources (DCNR) announced campers will be able to bring their pets to
selected campgrounds at nine additional state parks when the 2003 camping
season opens next spring.
A Bureau of State Parks pilot program -- first offered
in spring 2001 to gauge compliance with regulations and acceptance by
overnight campers with and without pets -- will be expanded next year to
include the following state parks: Raccoon Creek, Beaver County; Prince
Gallitzin, Cambria County; Hickory Run, Carbon County; Poe Paddy, Centre
County; Pymatuning, Crawford County; Lackawanna, Lackawanna County; Locust
Lane, Schuylkill County; Hills Creek, Tioga County; and Codorus, York
County.
“These new parks were selected to give campers more
choices across the state in a trial program that already has been well
received by both those who camp with their dogs and cats, and those who do
not,” said John Plonski, DCNR Executive Deputy Secretary for Parks and
Forestry.
“Complaints have been few and compliments plentiful at
the other nine state parks where the pilot program already has been in
effect for almost two years. As campers soon can reserve sites for the
summer of 2003, we want to get the word out early on the pilot program’s
expansion.”
Since the Memorial Day weekend of 2001, overnight
campers have been permitted to bring their dogs, cats, and other pets to
these state parks: Shawnee and Blue Knob, Bedford County; French Creek,
Berks County; Cook Forest, Clarion County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County;
Sinnemahoning, Cameron County; Pine Grove Furnace, Cumberland County;
Promised Land, Pike County; and Oil Creek, Venango County.
Plonski noted support for overnight camping with pets
was voiced extensively at a series of public meetings held across the
state in the summer of 2000.
“When we sought public opinion on our park rules and
regulations, nearly 30 percent of the more than 1,000 public comments we
received came from people wanting to bring their pets to state parks,”
Plonski said. “Over the years, we have heard repeated calls to allow pets
in state park campgrounds.”
Advance announcement of the program’s
expansion—effective from the Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends in
2003—will enable interested campers to make reservations months in advance
at participating state parks.
Pet owners at pilot park sites must comply with many
program regulations. They govern leashing; barking and other noise;
maximum number of pets allowed (two, when the size of a cat or larger);
aggressive behavior; proper cleanup and disposal of feces; valid licensing
when required; and needed vaccinations. Violations could require campers
to remove their animals from park grounds.
Each participating park will charge a $2 nightly fee
for each animal staying in a campsite and not in a cage. Paid at time of
reservation, the fees will cover added maintenance and program costs at
participating parks.
Program success and acceptance also are being gauged in
DCNR studies using camper “comment cards” circulated throughout the summer
to park users; patron/visitor letters to the parks and their regional
headquarters; and observations of park workers and officials.
More
information on reservations and other state park details can be obtained
by telephoning 1-888-PA-PARKS.
