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A word about the FCRPA
The Federal Cave Resource Protection Act of 1988 was designed to protect certain caves and their unique natural resources. Specifically, to secure, protect, and preserve significant
caves on Federal lands for the perpetual use, enjoyment, and benefit of all people; and to foster increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and those who utilize caves
located on Federal lands for scientific, education, or recreational purposes.
Its interpretation is clear, especially with regard to the publication of cave locations. Section 5 (a) states Information
concerning the specific location of any significant cave may not be made available to the public under section 552 of title 5, United States Code...
Known for his research, CaverOne actually found FRC
title 5 section 552. (Reading federal regulation code is like wading knee-deep in wet cement.) The code specifically refers to various government agencies being required to provide information to
citizens who request it, the Freedom of Information Act. Government of, by, and for the people. Therefore, the FCRPA merely states that information regarding the locations of significant caves is not
required to be made public by government agencies, as is most other information.
In addition, the law specifies that the Department of the Interior shall compile a list of significant caves to which the law will apply. We have done and continue to do extensive research in our quest to obtain such a list, and have come up empty. The point would seem moot, however, given that the section of law in question only seems to apply to government agencies.
At CavesR4All.com, we certainly would not conduct any illegal publication of cave locations, as has been suggested by critics of
this site. But clearly the law is not intended that way.
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