Superintendent’s Compendium In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of Russell Cave National Monument. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7. Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.
I. 36 CFR §1.5 - VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES (a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity: Visiting Hours:
Closures: Drones/Unmanned Aircraft
Creek
Emergency Closures
(a)(2) Designate areas for a specific use or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity: FILMING, STILL PHOTOGRAPHY, AND AUDIO RECORING ACTIVITY MAY REQUIRE A PERMIT CONSISTENT WITH 54 U.S.C.100905 (a)(2) Designate areas for a specific use or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions n a use or activity. Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit. Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit. If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3. Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5 (a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restriction on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law. (Justification: To provide for public safety and visitor enjoyment and to protect the resources located within the park boundaries.) VIRTUAL GEOCACHING AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES (a)(2) Any activity (for example, the activity known as “virtual geocaching”), in which a location is marked or specified by means of Global Positioning System (GPS), map or any means other than a physical marking or object placed at the site of the location, and which is done with the intent that such locations will be searched for or sought out by others, must be conducted pursuant to a permit issued by the Superintendent. (Justification: Activities such as “virtual geocaching,” as compared to traditional geocaching activities, are generally less likely to have negative effects on park resources, in that they do not involve the burying or concealment of objects within the park. However, as in the case of traditional geocaching, such activities have the potential to attract large numbers of visitors to areas or locations which are not otherwise subject to significant public impact, and which may be unusually fragile or sensitive. The requirement of a permit allows park staff to ensure that such locations are situated in areas that are not likely to be negatively affected by increased public visitation.) E-Bikes
(f) The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the superintendent is required: The following are some of the activities that require a permit.
36 CFR §2.1 - PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (a)(5) Walking, hiking, or jogging is limited to established trails and roads, improved or not. (Justification: To protect natural, cultural and archeological resources and to provide for public safety) (c)(1 ), (c)(2) The following fruits, nuts, berries may be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption, in accordance with the noted size, quantity, collection sites and/or use or consumption restrictions:
36 CFR §2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION (a)(1) Hunting in Russell Cave National Monument is prohibited. (Justification: Hunting is not authorized under Federal statutory law and is not consistent with public safety and enjoyment) (b)(4)(d) The transporting of lawfully taken wildlife in or through the park is prohibited. (Justification: Hunting is not authorized under Federal statutory law and is not consistent with public safety and enjoyment of the site) 36 CFR §2.3 - FISHING (a) Fishing is prohibited. (Justification: Fishing is not authorized under Federal statutory law and is not consistent with public safety and enjoyment of the site) 36 CFR §2.10 - CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE (a) The Superintendent may require permits, designate sites or areas, and establish conditions for camping.
36 CFR §2.11- Picnicking (a) Picnicking is allowed, except in areas closed in accordance with §1.5.
36 CFR §2.13- FIRES (a)(1) The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:
36 CFR §2.16 - HORSES AND PACK ANIMALS (C) Riding horses within Russell Cave National Monument boundaries is prohibited. (Justification: To provide for public safety and enjoyment and the protection of archeological resources) 36 CFR §2.35 -ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (a)(3)(i) The following public use areas, portions of public use areas, and/or public facilities within the park are closed to consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed:
36 CFR §2.51 - PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES, MEETINGS (a) Public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, and other public expressions of views are allowed within park areas.
36 CFR §4.10-TRAVEL ON PARK ROADS AND ROUTES (a) Park roads, open for travel by motor vehicle are those indicated below, and/or as indicated in the following publication or document (attached hereto): 36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLES (a) The use of a bicycle is prohibited except on park roads, in parking areas and on routes designated for bicycle use; provided however, the Superintendent may close any park road or parking area to bicycle use pursuant to the criteria and procedures of §1.5 and §1.7 of this chapter.
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Last updated: September 22, 2025