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| Project Identification - PMIS 119767 | |
| Project Title: Protecting Cave Resources through Enhanced Cave Security | Project Total Cost: $60,199.00 |
| Park/Unit: Timpanogos Cave National Monument | Region: Intermountain |
| States: UT | Congressional District: UT03 |
| Old Package Number: | Reference Number: |
| Project Type: Facility , Non-historic | Financial System Package Number: TICA 119767 |
| Contact Person: Michael Gosse | Contact Phone: 801-756-5239 |
| Project Status - PMIS 119767 | |
| Date Created: 11/14/05 | Review Status: Region-Reviewed on 02/24/2006 |
| Date of Last Update: 02/21/06 | Updated By: Larissa Read |
| Project Narratives - PMIS 119767 |
| Description Preventing illegal entries and their adverse impacts to the Timpanogos Cave environment and its biologic, mineralogic, and cultural resources is the number one priority for monument staff. The fragile cave environment at Timpanogos Cave National Monument is susceptible to human disturbance because of a variety of factors. The Monument is only a 45-minute drive from 2 million people that live between Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah. (See Photo #1) Additionally, because the Monument is closed for six months of the year, and the caves are located a mile away from headquarters and 1.5 miles up a paved trail, illegal entries may go unnoticed for weeks or even months. The main entrance to the Timpanogos Cave System has been breached four times in the past ten years, and other incidents indicate how accessible other areas of the Monument are to a trespassing public. Installing electronic security devices and signage before and at the cave entrances will decrease the vulnerability of illegal entry into the fragile, non-renewable cave environment, and increase the opportunity for apprehension. This proposal requests financial support for the purchase and installation of additional security technology, as well as, support for interdisciplinary review of the project and the publication of the project results and implementation in the American Caves Journal and National Speleological Society Magazine. |
| Justifications Introduction and Background Located high on the steep rocky slopes of American Fork Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch Range are three limestone caves: Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, and Timpanogos Cave. (See Photo #2) These exquisitely beautiful caverns are decorated with a dazzling display of helictites and anthodites in a variety of fantastic shapes, and make up the Timpanogos Cave System, which is the primary resource of 250 acre Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The Timpanogos Cave System contains at least 42 types of cave formations, an unusually large variety. The cave features include previously unnamed formations, dramatic and rare colors, and unusual combinations of delicate helictites and anthodites in quantities not found in other developed National Park Service managed caves. (See Photo #3 and #4) The formation of the Timpanogos Cave System is believed to be the result of rising thermal waters contacting the water table at the intersection of geologic bedding planes and faults. This process is unusual among National Park Service managed caves. Through dissolution and redeposition of minerals at varied depths and percolation rates and by varied infiltration methods, the caves were heavily decorated with fantastic combinations of colors and formations. The 1.5 mile-long trail to the caves ascends 1,067 feet from pre-Cambrian through late Mississippian-aged rocks, providing one of the best exposed, easiest accessed and varied geologic records in the nation. Paramount to preserving and protecting Timpanogos Cave resources is understanding cave entrance issues, which can be generally classified as 1) cave species protection and recovery, 2) cave resource protection, and 3) cave microclimate alteration. Cave environments are directly linked to the surface world through cave entrances. Through these portals pass air, wildlife, and humans. Cave microclimates are directly tied to atmospheric conditions on the surface, as most cave entrances in the park exhale cool, moist air during the summer and inhale cold, dry air during the winter. Bats, such as the Little Brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the Utah threatened species, Townsend Big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) take advantage of these microclimatic conditions for winter hibernation. The Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) and cave cricket are also members of the Timpanogos biological cave community that has developed over thousands of years within subtle microclimates near entrances. Unfortunately, cave entrances attract people who, either through acts of vandalism, greed or ignorance, destroy irreplaceable non-renewable natural and cultural cave resources. A cave entrance is not only a delicate connection to the underground world, but is also the point at which the most effective resource protection action can be taken - a well designed security system. This project supports the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 4300-4309, 102 Stat. 4546), which recognizes caves and their contents as irreplaceable and invaluable resources. This Act provides specific authority to protect cave resources on federal lands. It establishes that "...Federal lands be managed in a manner which protects and maintains to the extent practical, significant caves." Under the laws and policies identified above, the Timpanogos Cave System qualifies for this protection. In addition, President Warren G. Hardings Proclamation that created Timpanogos Cave National Monument in 1922 states "Timpanogos Cave is of unusual scientific interest and importance, and it appears that the public interests will be promoted by reserving this cave". In designing physical barriers for excluding humans from caves inhabited by bats, it is essential to recognize the potential adverse effects that poorly or inadequately designed structures can have on the bats using the caves. Entrances to passages used by hibernating bats must allow both unrestricted flow of cold air in winter and have a gate with a minimum of 5-3/4 inch spacing to allow bats to enter on the fly. (See Photo #5) Most cave entrances are characterized by a moist cool summer microclimate and may contain multiple biotic communities affected by small changes in temperature or airflow if they are not subject to dry cold inflow of air during winter. Any change in cross-sectional area or configuration of entrances can modify microclimate. Gates on natural entrances are designed to allow natural airflow and movement of cave organisms. There are five cave entrances within the park. The main visitor entrance has been breached at least four times in the last ten years. In one instance, two teenage boys were then trapped in the "Introduction Room" overnight, and were discovered by an Interpretive ranger the next day upon opening the caves. In addition, the "Ranger Room" located adjacent to the main visitor entrance has been breached twice. Once by vandals using a hammer to knock the door hinge pins out of the door frame. Fortunately, this "Ranger Room" is used for supply storage and does not provide access to the caves. However, flashlights and radios were stolen. The main exit door of the caves has also been subject to vandalism and illegal entry. On at least two occasions vandals tried breaking into the caves through the exit door. On one occasion vandals tried kicking the wooden door down and left boot imprints on the door. On the other attempt, vandals used a rock or rocks to try to smash the exit door open. The deadbolt lock needed to be replaced and the wooden door resurfaced after the incident. Documented damage consists of breakage of formations and damage to sites, disturbance of bats, and writing on walls and doors. (See Photo #6) Both gated and non-gated caves are being entered, resulting in serious damage to park resources. To date, a rescue or body recovery resulting from illegal entry into park caves has not occurred, but 18 people have been trapped either in the "Introduction Room" or behind the 1/4 way gate in the last ten years. (See Photo #7) With the increasing popularity of caving and the growing population in the valley, the potential will only increase with time. There is also a big safety concern inside Timpanogos Cave in particular: a steep 90 foot deep drop periodically slickened by melting snows and rainfall is located only 150 feet from the entrance. Additionally, people are traversing out on a narrow rocky ledge at the ¼ way mark along the cave trail to bypass the trail gate. This can lead to a potential forty-foot vertical fall, but also demonstrates how easy it is to breach the cave’s only perimeter defense. (See Photo #8) Two high school boys wearing Sorrel snow boots hiked around this ledge successfully in the winter of 2000. Once this gate is breached access into the natural entrance of Hansen Cave can be made undetected and without going through any other barriers. Description of Action New stainless steel bat-friendly gates were installed by the resource management staff on all three natural cave entrances in 2004/05. They are the correct spacing to allow the passage of bats to enter the cave on the fly, yet should prevent an illegal entry into the cave by vandals. These new physical barriers are the first element towards enhancing the protection of cave resources. However, with the modern tools available today, such as battery-operated drills, portable cutting torches, and high strength car jacks, a concentric perimeter security system is still needed to alert park staff of the presence of potential violators. A self-contained wireless outdoor motion sensor, which employs the dual technology combination of stereo Doppler microwave, and a passive infrared sensor to provide volumetric protection in a wide variety of outdoor applications is needed. The dual technology Microwave/Passive Infrared sensors work together to yield an extremely high tolerance to poor outdoor weather conditions, as well as, aid in the elimination of nuisance alarms. Both detectors must activate simultaneously for the system to transmit an alarm. A solar photovoltaic panel and voltage regulator will provide power and battery back up to the system sensor, as well as, the telemetry radio transmitter. The wireless receiver processor can pinpoint exactly which sensor was violated, and can also pinpoint any sensor in the network that has developed a low-battery condition, tamper, or other supervisory problem. These wireless, dual action outdoor motion sensors will be placed near each of the three natural cave entrances, as well as, the two man-made entrances. The resource management staff will identify, map and GPS motion sensor coordinates. This will provide a perimeter security system, in addition to the physical barriers of stainless steel gates and wooden doors. The alarm system will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by Hi-Tek Security, a local alarm monitoring company. Hi-Tek Security presently monitors the park’s visitor center, maintenance complex, and administrative office. Protocol established with the alarm monitoring company calls for the Chief Ranger to be notified on all alarm calls, and then the County Sheriff and Superintendent. No additional costs will be incurred by the Monument for adding this new technology to the Hi-Tek Security contract because the current contract provides for monitoring up to 24 zones. Currently, only 14 zones in the Visitor Center, Maintenance Complex, and Resource Management Office are being monitored at the Monument. An additional wireless, dual action motion sensor will be placed near the ¼ way cave trail gate, along with signage and fencing. By having this outer-perimeter monitored, violators can be apprehended or approached before ever reaching the cave entrances. New signage will also be installed advising visitors that they are being monitored at the 1/4 way cave trail gate, the cave grotto, cave entrance, and cave exit. This increased signage and information on video monitoring provided at the visitor center should decrease vandalism along the cave trail, cave grotto, cave entrance and cave exit. This new video monitoring will also increase visitor and employee safety, enhance resource protection, and perhaps increase natural resource knowledge by capturing images of large mammals such as cougars, mountain goats or elk using the cave trail or cave entrance or exit areas. A description of this project, along with an analysis of impacts on visitor and employee behaviors, and resource protection will be published in the Journal of American Caves and the National Speleological Society Magazine for other private, commercial, and state and federal caving organizations to follow and implement. Interpretive Component Cave tours are limited to groups of 20 people per tour or less to minimize the impacts on the fragile non-renewable resource. At the beginning of each tour the Cave Tour Guides present a safety message along with a resource protection message. These messages provide information on not touching cave formations because the oils from our skin inhibit the calcite from being deposited on the formations, thereby, causing the formations to cease to grow. The Interpretive staff will also include a message on recent damage done to cave formations and attempted break-ins that have occurred, thereby, necessitating the need for the Monument to have a security system installed in the cave, in order for the National Park Service to protect this national treasure for future generations. Protecting cave resources is part of each park employees performance appraisal at Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The maintenance staff needs to be aware of resource impacts caused by the lighting systems in the cave and cave trail maintenance activities. The interpretive staff needs to be aware of visitor actions while on a cave tour and has the authority to escort visitors out of the cave if their behavior warrants it. The resource management staff monitors the cave environment and mitigates cave impacts, and the protection staff implements and responds to cave security issues. Tasks, Organization, Schedule The project budgeting, contractor hiring and ultimate supervision will be performed by the park’s Chief Ranger, Mike Gosse. The project team leader will be Cave Management Specialist, Jon Jasper. The staff at Timpanogos Cave is small with only 9 permanent employees and 2 Term employees, and therefore, cave protection requires the involvement of both law enforcement and resources staff, as their responsibilities overlap. Resource and law enforcement staff will both be involved in the installation and monitoring of the success of the proposed action. The contract work will be completed by mid-May when the caves open for the season. Environmental Planning Requirements The National Park Service applies categorical exclusions to actions that, under normal circumstances, are not considered major federal actions and that have no measurable impacts on the human environment. This proposed project falls under Directors Orders-12 3.4C(3), which states that routine maintenance, and repairs to non-historic structures, facilities, utilities, grounds, and trails are categorically excluded. An environmental screening form will be generated for this project by the resource management specialist and attached to the project description when approved. A job hazard analysis will be completed upon project approval.
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| Measurable Results The mission goals and long term goals in Goal Category I of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 are inclusive of the mandate in the National Park Service Organic Act "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein". This project directly relates to NPS Organic Act and also to the park’s mission goal which states that "natural and cultural resources and associated values at Timpanogos Cave National Monument are protected, restored, and maintained in good condition and managed within their broader ecosystem and cultural context. GPRA Goal Ia1E Land Health:Uplands which states upland areas will be maintained and restored will be met.
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| Project DOI Categories of Facilities Maintenance and Construction Needs - PMIS 119767 | |||||||||||||||
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| Project Activities, Assets, Emphasis Areas and GPRA Goals - PMIS 119767 | |
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| Project Prioritization Information - PMIS 119767 | |
| Unit Priority: 9 IN FY 2006 | Unit Priority Band: HIGH |
| Related OFS Funding Requests - PMIS 119767 | |
| Request ID: 10510 Request title: Enhance Visitor and Resource Protection |
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| Request ID: 7390 Request title: Establish Resource Management Program |
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| Request ID: 24468 Request title: Establish a Science-based Caves and Karst Program |
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| Request ID: 24465 Request title: Provide Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Operations |
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Project Funding Component - PMIS 119767A |
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| Funding Component Title: Protecting Non-renewable Cave Resources | Funding Component Request Amount: $60,199.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Funding Component Reference Number ( Multi-purpose ): | Funding Component Type: Non-recurring , Deferred | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Initial Planned FY: 2006 | Requested Funding FY: 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Review Status: Region-reviewed on 02/24/2006 | Funded Amount: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Park Submission: 01/16/2006 | Submitted By: Michael Gosse (Tica) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper-level Review Status: | Fee-demo Submission Number: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Formulated FY: 2008 | Funded FY: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Formulated Program: Other Program | Funded PWE Accounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Formulated Funding Source: Natural Resource Protection Projects | Funded Funding Source: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Additional Criteria - PMIS 119767A
Rating Criteria
1. Significance of the Resource or Issue to the Park How important is the resource or issue to the park involved, relative to its other resources or issues?
Timpanogos Cave is protected under two acts of legislation. President Harding's Proclamation that created Timpanogos Cave National Monument states "Timpanogos Cave is of unusual scientific interest and importance, and it appears that the public interests will be promoted by reserving this cave". The Federal Cave Protection Act of 1988 states that "caves on Federal lands are an invaluable and irreplaceable part of the Nation's natural heritage. The purposes of this act are to secure, protect, and preserve significant caves on Federal lands for the perpetual use, enjoyment, and benefit of all people". The natural resources of Timpanogos Cave are directly being impacted and will continue to be impacted without action.
2. Severity of the Resource Threat, Problem, or Need(s) What is the potential of the threat, how current or imminent is it, and its extent?
Imagine the affects of one intruder swinging a baseball bat at the delicate soda straws and helictites within Timpanogos Cave. Within an hour the park's precious cave features would lie in waste.
One break-in, just one, could extremely alter or damage the nonrenewable cave resources. Timpanogos Cave was created as a National Monument to protect its delicate formations that could be easily broken and nearly impossible to restore. If this project is delayed, one break-in could result in the failure of the purpose of establishing Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
In addition, a serious cause of declining bat populations has been human disturbance of hibernating bats. Bats enter hibernation with enough fat reserves to last until spring. When aroused, as much as 68 days of fat supply is used in a single disturbance. Humans passing near hibernating bats can cause arousal. If this happens too often, the bat's fat reserves are exhausted before the species is able to forage in the spring. Direct mortality due to human vandalism has been documented at numerous caves. Evidence exists of a moderate-size hibernating colony of the federally listed species of concern, and state listed threatened Townsend's Big-Eared Bats (Corynorhinus townsendii). Failure to preserve the integrity of cave habitats utilized as maternity sites would be deleterious to bat reproduction, which will hamper the recruitment needed to recover populations. Failure to protect cave hibernacula will jeopardize successful hibernation which will reduce the breeding population of adult bats thereby exacerbating population declines. Bat-friendly gates were constructed to restore the bat colonies throughout the cave system.
3. Problem Definition and Information Base Is the problem clearly defined and is the information base sufficient?
The problem is providing security to the cave while maintaining the cave's fragile eco-system and esthetics. Thick doors and bat-friendly gates are in place to provide easy access for tours, protection of the natural cave airflow, and suitable security. However, being isolated upon the canyon's steep walls, vandals could easily take their time to hammer on doors, pick locks, or use car jacks to bend gates. Without a more modern security system the monument's primary resources are at risk.
4. Technical Soundness: Are the proposed actions, methodologies and procedures the technically most appropriate choices for addressing the stated problem?
With today's advancing security technology, this project can easily be completed. The monument staff has in use long-range cordless phones at the cave and has successfully tested alarm technology that will allow for a radio signal to indicate unauthorized cave visits. The technologies are real and every day are becoming cheaper and easier to install and maintenance. A Security Consultant from Hi-Tek Security and Best Locks came on site and provided recommendations.
5. Problem Resolution: Will the project contribute directly to decisions or actions that, when implemented, will meaningfully resolve the stated problem?
A radio-linked, security system will allow quick, well-prepared response to any break-in. Having a paid 24-hour security service will allow multiple people to response including local law enforcement. The installation of a properly designed alarm system will reduce or eliminate the impacts from authorized visits. The only follow-up actions would be occasional maintenance and repair to the system. This will be paid for out the the law enforcement ONPS account.
6. Transferability: How widely will the project protocols or results be used by others?
There are over 80 National Park units possessing cave resources and many other National Park Service sites like the ruins of Mesa Verde NP, backcountry caves of Carlsbad Caverns NP, or the backcountry pictographs of Canyonlands that have their primary or world-class resources in remote or isolated areas that could take advantage of using similar available technologies. The publication of the methods and results of this work in the Journal of American Caves and the National Speleological Society Magazine will allow for other private, commercial, and state and federal caving organizations to follow and implement.
7. Cost Effectiveness Given the problem statement and proposed methodology, are cost estimates realistic and commensurate with the results produced? The park has been researching phones, networking capabilities, and security technology to improve the efficiency of park operations such as leading cave tours and emergency response. The Chief Ranger, Mike Gosse, has been working directly with our present alarm company on the present technologies available to provide the best possible security solutions. Even though the costs change from year to year, the costs are well-researched and reasonable for today's modern equipment and installation costs.
The costs also reflect the problem of multiple entrance locations among the steep rugged walls of the American Fork Canyon, and the fact that access to the caves is only by foot walking the 1.5 mile paved trail. Due to having multiple video locations with pedestrian access only along a 1.5 mile trail which climbs 1,067 feet in elevation is the reason for higher equipment and installation costs.
8. Project Support What resources (including in-kind contributions) are the park, region or other partner(s) willing to commit to this project? A detailed description of total project costs, including contributions is required.
The monument will utilize a newly installed radio repeater to link the 3 entrance areas to trigger a law enforcement response. This base station is about an estimated value of $40,000 or 30% of the total project costs. |
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