Management Plan

The 1909 proclamation that established Oregon Caves National Monument states that: "Whereas, certain natural caves, known as the Oregon Caves, which are situated upon un-surveyed land within the Siskiyou National Forest in the state of Oregon, are of unusual scientific interest and importance, and it appears that the public interests will be promoted by reserving these caves with as much land as may be necessary for the proper protection thereof, as a National Monument."

The main cave was the reason for the establishment of the Monument. The main focus in resource protection and providing enjoyment for the public should involve a variety of positive public experiences within and about the cave in such a way that those will not impair cave or other resources in the Monument.

There are two primary factors that are considered in the decision to use guided tours in the cave. The first factor is that past self-guided tours in Mammoth, Carlsbad Caverns and other developed caves have been shown to cause extensive damage to cave resources. The other is that direct, first-hand experience gained on a tour of the cave has a greater potential for eliciting positive responses, learning, and appreciation for protection of resources than the use of indirect interpretation such as books, exhibits or displays.

Visit www.nps.gov/orca/pphtml/documents.html for detailed explanation of Oregon Caves Management Plan which includes:

• Environmental Assessment - Fire Management Plan
• Finding of No Significant Impact - Fire Management Plan
• Oregon Caves Chateau: Oregon Caves National Monument Historic Structures Report
• Oregon Caves Cultural Landscape Report
• Special Cave Tour FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact)

These documents are either PDFs, Word, or HTML files