BLM Manuals are available online at web.blm.gov/internal/wo-500/directives/dir-hdbk/hdbk-dir.html Suggested citation: Bureau of Land Management. 2015. Cave and Karst Resources Management. BLM Manual H-8380-1. *Denver, Colorado. ## Sheet H - 8380 CAVE AND KARST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... iii I. Handbook Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Significant Cave Identification and Designation ........................................................................................ 1 Chapter 3: Resource Planning ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 4: Integrating Surface and Subsurface Resources ........................................................................................... 1 Chapter 5: Implementation Strategies .............................................................................................................................. 1 II. Purpose and Need for Cave/Karst Resources Management ...................................................................................... 1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Authority ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Responsibility ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 References ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 III. Types of Caves ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Solution Caves .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 B. Ice Caves ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 C. Lava Tube Caves .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 D. Sandstone Caves ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 E. Talus Caves ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 F. Tectonic Caves ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 IV. Laws ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 A. Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 16 U.S.C. §§ 4301–4310 ....................................................... 5 B. Other Laws ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 V. Regulations ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 A. 43 CFR Part 37 Cave Resources Management........................................................................................................ 7 B. Other Regulations ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Chapter 2: Significant Cave Identification, Nomination, and Designation ...................................... 10 I. Identification ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10 A. Definition .................................................................................................................................................................... 10 B. Significance Criteria ................................................................................................................................................... 10 II. The Significant Cave Nomination and Designation Process .................................................................................... 11 A. Nominations ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 B. Designation Process .................................................................................................................................................. 11 C. Reporting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 D. Inventories .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 3: Resource Planning ............................................................................................................. 13 I. Why Land Use Planning is Important ........................................................................................................................... 13 II. The Land Use Planning Handbook ................................................................................................................................ 13 A. Management ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Supersedes Rel. 1–#### Rel. 1–#### DD/MM/YY i H - 8380 CAVE AND KARST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK B. Marketing .................................................................................................................................................................... 13 C. Monitoring .................................................................................................................................................................. 13 D. Administration ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 III. The Resource Management Planning Process .............................................................................................................. 14 IV. Linking the Planning Process to the Budget System .................................................................................................. 15 V. Activity Plans...................................................................................................................................................................... 15 A. Location/Setting ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 B. Background Information .......................................................................................................................................... 15 C. Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 16 D. Description of Resources ......................................................................................................................................... 16 E. Issues Identification ................................................................................................................................................... 16 F. Management Prescriptions ....................................................................................................................................... 16 G. Safety/Search and Rescue Plan................................................................................................................................ 16 H. Monitoring .................................................................................................................................................................. 16 I. Maps ............................................................................................................................................................................