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The Thing

Автор: Victor V. Korshunov
Дата: 5 Dec 94

Всем Привет !

Тут вот в сетях запуталась кой-какая информация: документы Australian
Speleological Federation. Сердце радуется - ну прям не догма, а руководство...
Мне лично особо понравились #1. из первого и #3.6. из второго.

                        Виктор Коршунов
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"What we have now is all there will ever be - Conserve Australia's Caves"

MINIMAL IMPACT CAVING CODE - INTERIM 1994

Introduction

The need for a Minimal Impact Caving Code (MICC) has evolved over many years as
cavers have realised the impact that they have on caves. That impact is so
diverse and varied that it has become necessary to devise a caving code that
ensures that cavers are aware of the measures that are necessary to reduce
their impact on caves. To those of you who have just become Australian
Speleological Federation (Inc) (ASF) members it is important that you
understand that a MICC IS necessary because cavers are one of the major
sources of damage to caves. Read the MICC carefully and apply it to all of your
caving - it will not completely stop cavers damaging caves but it will
certainly reduce their impact on the cave environment. This MICC was devised by
cavers FOR CAVES - please assist the Caves of Australia by using these simple
MIC techniques. This MICC should be used in conjunction with the ASF Code of
Ethics. General This code is divided into two sections. One relating to the
exploration of a newly discovered cave or section of cave and the other
relating to general cave visitation. The following practices may fall into
both sections and may be modified depending on the type of cave being visited.
It should be stated that we are discussing here acode which will ensure that
cavers have a minimal impact on the cave they are visiting. In many instances
the practices may not apply as the impact that cavers have, may be minuscule,
compared to the impact of flooding of the entire cave, for example. These
practices are generally intended to apply in caves where cavers are likely to
have a detrimental impact on the cave purely by entering the cave. In-cave
marking refers to the use of a variety of materials to define tracks, routes
and barricades in a cave. These measures should be taken to protect sensitive
areas, fine caver foot damage, make cavers aware that a sensitive (it may be an
unobvious cave animals' territory) area exists. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS
CODE - SURVEYORS, PHOTOGRAPHERS,SCIENTISTS, EXPLORER'S ETC ARE ALL SUBJECT TO
THIS CODE.

General Cave Visitation

1. Remember EVERY caving trip has an impact. Is this trip into this cave
necessary? If it is just for recreation, is there another cave that is less
vulnerable to damage that can be visited? Make this assessment depending on the
purpose of your visit, the size and experience of the proposed party, and IF
THE TRIP IS LIKELY to damage the cave.
2. Where possible the party leader should have visited the cave previously and
hence should be aware of sensitive features of the cave, the best anchor points,
and generally reduce the need for unnecessary exploration.
3. Cave slowly. You will see and enjoy more, and there will be less chance of
damage to the cave and to yourself. This especially applies when you are tired
and exiting a cave.
4. If there are beginners on a trip, make sure that they are close to an
experienced caver, so that the experienced caver can help them when required,
e.g. in difficult sections. Ensure that the party caves at space of the slowest
caver.
5. Keep your party size small - 4 is a good party size.
6. Cave as a team - help each other through the cave. Don't split up unless
impact is reduced by doing so.
7. Constantly watch your head placement AND that of your party members. Let
them know before they are likely to do any damage.
8. Keep caving packs as small as possible or don't use them in sensetive caves
or extension.
9. Ensure that party members don't wander about the cave unnecessarily.
10. Stay on all marked or obvious paths. If no paths are marked or none is
obvious - define ONE!
11. Learn to recognise cave deposits or features that may be damaged by walking
or crawling on them. Examples are:- Drip Holes, Stream Sediments, Paleo soils,
Soil Cones, Crusts, Flowstone, Cave Pearls, Asphodilites, Bone material,
Potentiallly Archaeological sites, Cave Fauna, Coffee @ Cream, Tree Roots
12. Take care in the placement of hands and feet throughout a cave.
13. Wash your caving overalls and boots regularly so that the spread of bacteria
and fungi are minimised.
14. If a site is obviously being degraded examine the site carefully to
determine if an alternative route is possible. Any alternative route MUST not
cause the same or greater degradation than the currently used route. If an
alternative is available suggest the alternative route to the appropriate
management authority and report the degradation.
15. Carry in-cave marking materials while caving and restore any missing
markers. Tape off sensitive areas you believe are being damaged and report the
damage to the appropriate management authority.
16. If it is necessary to walk on flowstone in a cave remove any muddied boots
and or clothing before proceeding OR DON'T PROCEED! Sometimes it is better to
assess the situation and return at a later date with the appropriate equipment.
17. Treat the cave biota with respect, watch out for them, and avoid damaging
them and their "traps", webs, etc. Also avoid directly lighting cave biota if
possible.
18. If bone material is found on existing or proposed tracks it should be moved
off the track to a safer location if at all possible. Collection should only be
undertaken with appropriate permission.
19. If you eat food in a cave ensure that small food fragments are not dropped
as this may impact the cave biota. One way is to carry a plastic bag to eat
over and catch the food fragments. This can then be folded up and removed from
the cave.
20. Ensure that all foreign matter is removed from caves. This includes human
waste. If long trips are to be made into a cave ensure that containers for the
removal of liquid and solid waste are included on the trip inventory.
21. When rigging caves with artificial anchors, e.g. traces, tapes, rope etc,
ensure that minimal damage occurs to the anchor site by protecting the site.
For example protect frequently used anchors, e.g. trees, with carpet, packs,
cloth, etc. Bolts should only be used where natural anchors are inappropriate.
22. CAVE SOFTLY!

New Cave or Extension Explorations

1. The existing microbiology of the new cave, both fungi, bacteria, and a world
of protozoa, will almost certainly be irreversibly contaminated on the first
trip into the cave! If you consider cave microbiology has not been investigated
in the area of this new cave, if cave microbiologists are available, then please
consider including them on initial explorations so that they may collect
uncontaminated samples.
2. Do not enter the new area if you do not have the equipment required to
undertake the minimal activities. Surveying equipment and in-cave markers.
3. The minimal activity should be in-cave marking and surveying. Not purely
exploration.
4. Ensure that all alternative routes are examined, by completing the cave
survey, prior to crossing sensitive areas. It may not be necessary to enter
some areas as they can be by-passed.
5. Having determined that a sensitive area is to be crossed it should ALWAYS be
marked. Reduce future damage by defining a distinct, minimal width track.
6. Discuss in-cave marking within the party and ensure that all ideas are
evaluated before marking is undertaken.
7. CAVE SOFTLY!
_______________________________________________________________________________


CODE OF ETHICS AND CONSERVATION AUSTRALIAN SPELEOLOGICAL FEDERATION INC.

1. Introduction
1.1 Recognising their primary aim of protecting the caves and karst of
    Australasia, cavers will actively promote cave conservation and sound
    management practices through example, education, advice and training.
1.2 This code establishes a minimum standard of caving practice.
1.3 Higher standards may be required by management authorities for particular
    caves or karst regions, in which case those standards will be adhered to.
2. Toward Landowners and Management Authorities
2.1 Landowners, tourist guides and any person representing a management
    authority will be treated with courtesy and respect.
2.2 All caving parties must have specific or tacit approval from the landowner
    and/or management authority before entering any property or reserve, must
    follow only agreed routes and must not visit forbidden areas.
2.3 The prevailing procedures regarding gates on properties and reserves will
    be followed, and care taken to cause no damage to stock, crops, equipment
    or landscape features. In short, leave as found.
2.4 All parties will be as self sufficient as possible and will not presume on
    the good will of landowners and/or management authorities for water,
    supplies or assistance.
2.5 Where the cave entrance has been blocked by the landowner and/or management
    authority, it will be re-blocked after use, or, with the permission more
    appriate protection installed unless the landowner and/or management
    authority otherwise instructs. No gate will be installed at or a cave
    unless approved by the landowner and/or management authority and
    arrangements are made for key ecurity. Any gate must have an accompanying
    sign giving reasons for gating and access conditions unless the landowner
    and/or management authority otherwise instructs.
2.7 No cave excavation, including the use of explosives, will be undertaken
    without the permission of the landowner and/or management authority and/or
    management authority and the society committee, and only after an
    assessment of the environmental effect.
3. Toward Caves
3.1 Camping will not occur in a cave, unless absolutely necessary to achieve a
    specific speleological or conservation objective.
3.2 Caving activity must be conducted in a manner responsible to the cave
    environment, taking particular care to avoid damage to speleothems,
    sediments, biota and other natural phenomena. The maximum size of any party
    should be limited to that which provides the best quality of experience or
    achieves specific aims.
3.3 Cave entrances and passages should not be excavated/enlarged, including the
    use of explosives, water levels in sumps should not be modified and stream
    flows should not be diverted, until all possible effects are assessed and
    the appropriate permission gained. Any modification must be the minimum
    required.
3.4 Established marked routes must be used, single tracks should be followed
    and care taken to avoid needless deposition of mud. Mud-throwing or
    modelling is unacceptable.
3.5 All human introduced wastes must be removed from the cave and disposed of
    roperly.
3.6 Cavers will not smoke in any cave.
3.7 Caves must not be disfigured by unnecessary marking (including `direction
    arrows'). Entrance tags and survey marks should be small and inconspicuous.
3.8 Disturbance should not be caused to any biotic community. No disturbance
    should be caused to maternity or over-wintering roosts of bats. Collection
    of specimens will be kept to the minimum required for study purposes only.
3.9 The technique, agent and justification for air or water flow-tracing
    experiments should be chosen to minimise environmental impact and must be
    approved by the relevant authorities and the society commttee. Explosives
    should not be used inside a cave or at the entrance unless absolutely
    necessary, and the only with the permission of the landowner and/or
    management authority and the society committee, and only after an
    assessment of the environmental impact.
4. General
4.1 Recognized codes for minimum impact camping will be observed with
    particular emphasis on complete removal of rubbish and, wherever possible,
    avoidance of camping on karst catchment areas.
4.2 Reports on speleological work and caving actives are to be honest and
    accurate, avoiding sensationalism or exaggeration.
4.3 Any published work must acknowledge other people's contributions to the
    work, either as clubs or individuals, published work or personal
    communication.
4.4 Consideration should be given before publishing an article disclosing a
    cave's location, as to its intended audience, the wishes of the landowner
    and/or management authority, and the subsequent effect on the cave.
4.5 When visiting an area frequented by another society, the club or party will
    co-operate fully with that society.
4.6 Disputes will be conducted in a restrained and responsible manner.
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