§ 4303. — Management actions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC4303]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 63--FEDERAL CAVE RESOURCES PROTECTION
Sec. 4303. Management actions
(a) Regulations
Not later than nine months after November 18, 1988, the Secretary
shall issue such regulations as he deems necessary to achieve the
purposes of this chapter. Regulations shall include, but not be limited
to, criteria for the identification of significant caves. The
Secretaries shall cooperate and consult with one another in preparation
of the regulations. To the extent practical, regulations promulgated by
the respective Secretaries should be similar.
(b) In general
The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to further
the purposes of this chapter. Those actions shall include (but need not
be limited to)--
(1) identification of significant caves on Federal lands:
(A) The Secretary shall prepare an initial list of
significant caves for lands under his jurisdiction not later
than one year after the publication of final regulations using
the significance criteria defined in such regulations. Such a
list shall be developed after consultation with appropriate
private sector interests, including cavers.
(B) The initial list of significant caves shall be updated
periodically, after consultation with appropriate private sector
interests, including cavers. The Secretary shall prescribe by
policy or regulation the requirements and process by which the
initial list will be updated, including management measures to
assure that caves under consideration for the list are protected
during the period of consideration. Each cave recommended to the
Secretary by interested groups for possible inclusion on the
list of significant caves shall be considered by the Secretary
according to the requirements prescribed pursuant to this
paragraph, and shall be added to the list if the Secretary
determines that the cave meets the criteria for significance as
defined by the regulations.
(2) regulation or restriction of use of significant caves, as
appropriate;
(3) entering into volunteer management agreements with persons
of the scientific and recreational caving community; and
(4) appointment of appropriate advisory committees.
(c) Planning and public participation
The Secretary shall--
(1) ensure that significant caves are considered in the
preparation or implementation of any land management plan if the
preparation or revision of the plan began after November 18, 1988;
and
(2) foster communication, cooperation, and exchange of
information between land managers, those who utilize caves, and the
public.
(Pub. L. 100-691, Sec. 4, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4547.)
