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| Project Identification - PMIS 72666 | |
| Project Title: Protecting the Timpanogos Cave Ecosystem through the Installation of Bat Gates | |
| Park/Unit: Timpanogos Cave National Monument | Region: Intermountain |
| States: UT | Congressional District: 3 |
| Old Package Number: | Reference Number: |
| Project Type: Non-facility | Financial System Package Number: TICA 072666 |
| Contact Person: Michael Gosse | Contact Phone: 801-756-5239 |
| Project Status - PMIS 72666 | |
| Date Created: 02/22/01 | Review Status: Region-Reviewed on 03/07/2001 |
| Date of Last Update: 12/03/02 | Updated By: Tica (Tica) |
| Project Narratives - PMIS 72666 |
| Description The Timpanogos Cave System is showing a large decline in Townsend�s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) populations. One explanation for the decline is that the natural entrances to the three cave system were improperly gated in 1991. These gates were installed for cave security, not for maintaining the cave ecosystem and bat populations. In FY2002, new gates will be designed and installed to maintain the cave’s security, but also to restore the cave�s natural airflow, maximize the ease of bat passage, and eliminate the chances of bat predation. |
| Justifications Timpanogos Cave National Monument was designated in 1922 to preserve, `...the unusual scientific interest and importance` of the Timpanogos Cave System. The cave system consists of three caves connected by two man-made tunnels, and provides critical habitat for nursing bats. A recorded observation in June 1969 listed 40-50 Townsend’s Big-Eared Bats in the caves. Bat bones encased in flowstone show that a sizeable colony occupied the caves for a long period of time. Bat monitoring conducted by the resource management and interpretive staff in 1999 and 2000 recorded only three Townsend’s Big Eared bats each year. The Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat is listed as a Utah species of special concern due to declining populations and limited distribution. Other federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and B.L.M. also have Townsend’s Big-Eared Bats listed as a sensitive species. Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat has a Natural Heritage rating of G4, S2. Special management is needed for this species. The present cave gates are adversely effecting Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat populations and the cave ecosystem. According to Tuttle (1997) `�gates placed in tight spaces will cause maximum damage in terms of restricting movements of both bats and air.` The bars and cement work currently installed restrict 20%-50% of the caves natural entrances, and greatly reduces the cave’s natural airflow, hinders bat passage, and increases the chance of predation.
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| Measurable Results New bat `friendly` gates will be installed in the monument. These new gates will preserve the natural airflow into the cave system and allow bat passage, while maintaining the security of the cave resources and surrounding habitat. One new bat gate will be placed in each of the three natural entrances to the Timpanogos Cave System, and two gates will be placed in a former hydroelectric pipeline tunnel that Townsend’s Big-Eared Bats have been observed. The new bat gates will be constructed using 4-inch angle iron reinforced with 1.5-inch angle iron. The gates will be attached with 1-inch steel pins drilled into the walls instead of cement. The bars will be placed horizontal and spaced every 5-¾ inches (Nieland 1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985). The bar width will more than 24 inches in length (Hathorn & Thornton 1985, Tuttle 1977). This size should restrict 95% of the human and animal population, but is wide enough spacing that bats will not reduce their air speed upon entry or exit (Nieland 1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985). The gates will be located where the opening between the gate�s bars will be greater than the entrance�s smallest restriction (Nieland 1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985). The gates will be located near the dark zone where the bat�s risk from predators can be reduced (Nieland 1997, Tuttle 1977). By following these specifications, we will be able to construct bat friendly gates.
Following the installation of the bat gates, the sites will be monitored by park staff for two seasons to assess the effects of the gates on the cave ecosystem and bat population. The bat population study will also be part of the Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Program that Timpanogos Cave National Monument is participating in FY01 and FY02. Funding has been approved for all mammals to be inventoried and monitored for FY01 and FY02.
Detailed Project Budget The funding requested is $10,000. The estimates on the gate costs are based on the costs of previous gates that have been installed at Great Basin National Park in 1999. The natural entrance to Middle Cave is accessible only by hiking along a cliff face. The other two gates should be significantly less cost since there is a paved trail leading to them. Materials and Supplies for Bat Gates (angle iron, pins, welding supplies, etc.) $4,144 2 GS-5 Seasonal Resource Assistants Design and Installation of Gates for 240 hours $5,856 Total Cost $10,000
Environmental Planning Requirements A categorical exclusion has already been determined for this project. No further environmental planning is needed. Rating Criteria 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 and issues? Since the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973 there has been a growing concern towards declining species. Several agencies have compiled lists of species showing large declines. The Townsend�s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is listed as a Utah species of special concern due to declining populations and limited distribution, a Forest Service sensitive species, a BLM sensitive species, and a species with a Natural Heritage rating of G4, S2. Special management is needed for this species. The Timpanogos Cave NM enabling legislation states that the caves should be preserved to protect, `...the unusual scientific resources of the cave.` This project will restore the natural airflow through the caves, and also restore the opportunity for bats to use the caves for habitat. Preserving and protecting these caves is the most significant issue at the monument, and is fundamental in preserving this park’s ecosystem. (Block truncated to 4000 characters. See Other Criteria in component for continuation) |
| Project Activities, Assets, Emphasis Areas and GPRA Goals - PMIS 72666 | |
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| Project Prioritization Information - PMIS 72666 | |
| Unit Priority: | Unit Priority Band: MEDIUM |
| Funding Component 72666A:
Protecting the Timpanogos Cave Ecosystem through the Installation of
Bat Gates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Component ID: 72666A | Funding Request Amount: $10,000.00, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial Planned FY: 2002 | Requested Funding FY: 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Review Status: Region-reviewed on 03/07/2001 | Funded Amount: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Upper-level Review Status: | Fee-demo Submission Number: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Formulation Program: | Funded PWE Accounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Additional Criteria - PMIS 72666A
(The following text was truncated from the measurable results
block in November 2002, when the measurable results field was
shortened in the database):
This non-renewable cave resource must be preserved for both its
unusual scientific interest, as well as, the habitat it provides for
this sensitive bat species.
Severity & Urgency of Resource Threat, Problem, or
Need:
Tuttle (1977) has shown that improper gating can lead to bat
populations totally abandoning nursery sites. The large decline of
the Townsend~s Big-Eared bat population is current, extensive, but
hopefully not irreversible. Delaying this project will result in
continued significant resource degradation of the bat population.
This will also result in the continued significant resource
degradation of the cave~s ecosystem.
The resource threat to the Timpanogos Cave system from the
reduction of airflow entering the caves because of the current cave
gates is also imminent and likely irreversible. Delaying the
replacement of these gates will result in the continued degradation
of the cave ecosystem.
Problem Resolution: Will the proposed use of funds
contribute directly to decisions or actions that, when implemented,
will meaningfully resolve a management issue?
Bat gates have been properly installed in several other cave
parks in the system. Every effort will be made to reduce the impacts
of the new gates. The new gates will be designed and located to
restore the cave�s natural airflow, maximize the ease of bat
passage, and eliminate chances of bat predation. In a sense, the
gates will be reconstructed to open the cave entrances to their
original sizes. With the new gates installed the bat populations
will return to Timpanogos Cave.
We also now have the funding to monitor the effects the gates
will have on the cave�s ecosystem. For FY2001, the monument has
obtained funding to update its cave environmental monitoring system.
For FY2001 and FY2002, the I&M program has funding to perform a
general survey of mammalian species throughout the monument and a
survey of cave invertebrates in particular.
Scientific Resource Management: Is the proposal
scientifically and technically credible?
Cave bat gates have been well documented and successfully
installed at several NPS caves and commercial caves throughout the
world. Articles on proper cave gating have been written and
published in several cave and resource management journals and
symposiums. Cave gates will be replaced to preserve the natural
airflow and to allow bat passage while maintaining the security of
the cave resources. The gates will be constructed using 4-inch angle
iron reinforced with 1-½ inch angle iron. The gates will be attached
with 1 inch steel pins drilled into the walls instead of cement. The
bars will be placed horizontal and spaced every 5-¾ inches (Nieland
1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985?). The bar width will more than 24
inches in length (Hathorn & Thornton 1985?, Tuttle 1977). This
size should restrict 95% of the population but be enough spacing
that bats will not reduce their air speed of entry or exit (Nieland
1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985?). The gates will be located where
the opening between the gate�s bars will be greater than the
entrance�s smallest restriction (Nieland 1997, Hathorn &
Thornton 1985?). The gates will be located near the dark zone where
the bat�s risk from predators can be reduced (Nieland 1997, Tuttle
1977). By following these specifications, we will be able to
construct bat friendly gates.
Cited Literature
Hathorn, Jim and Thornton, Jer (1985). �The common sense guide to
cave gates.� ACCA Cave Management Series.
Nieland, Jim (1997). Cave Gating Manual. American Cave
Conservation Association, Northwest Chapter.
Tuttle, Merlin D. (1976). �Gating as a means of protecting cave
dwelling bats.� National Cave Management Symposium Proceedings.
Mountain View, AR. pp 77-82
(The following text was truncated from the measurable results
block in November 2002, when the measurable results field was
shortened in the database):
This non-renewable cave resource must be preserved for both its
unusual scientific interest, as well as, the habitat it provides for
this sensitive bat species.
Severity & Urgency of Resource Threat, Problem, or
Need:
Tuttle (1977) has shown that improper gating can lead to bat
populations totally abandoning nursery sites. The large decline of
the Townsend~s Big-Eared bat population is current, extensive, but
hopefully not irreversible. Delaying this project will result in
continued significant resource degradation of the bat population.
This will also result in the continued significant resource
degradation of the cave~s ecosystem.
The resource threat to the Timpanogos Cave system from the
reduction of airflow entering the caves because of the current cave
gates is also imminent and likely irreversible. Delaying the
replacement of these gates will result in the continued degradation
of the cave ecosystem.
Problem Resolution: Will the proposed use of funds
contribute directly to decisions or actions that, when implemented,
will meaningfully resolve a management issue?
Bat gates have been properly installed in several other cave
parks in the system. Every effort will be made to reduce the impacts
of the new gates. The new gates will be designed and located to
restore the cave�s natural airflow, maximize the ease of bat
passage, and eliminate chances of bat predation. In a sense, the
gates will be reconstructed to open the cave entrances to their
original sizes. With the new gates installed the bat populations
will return to Timpanogos Cave.
We also now have the funding to monitor the effects the gates
will have on the cave�s ecosystem. For FY2001, the monument has
obtained funding to update its cave environmental monitoring system.
For FY2001 and FY2002, the I&M program has funding to perform a
general survey of mammalian species throughout the monument and a
survey of cave invertebrates in particular.
Scientific Resource Management: Is the proposal
scientifically and technically credible?
Cave bat gates have been well documented and successfully
installed at several NPS caves and commercial caves throughout the
world. Articles on proper cave gating have been written and
published in several cave and resource management journals and
symposiums. Cave gates will be replaced to preserve the natural
airflow and to allow bat passage while maintaining the security of
the cave resources. The gates will be constructed using 4-inch angle
iron reinforced with 1-½ inch angle iron. The gates will be attached
with 1 inch steel pins drilled into the walls instead of cement. The
bars will be placed horizontal and spaced every 5-¾ inches (Nieland
1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985?). The bar width will more than 24
inches in length (Hathorn & Thornton 1985?, Tuttle 1977). This
size should restrict 95% of the population but be enough spacing
that bats will not reduce their air speed of entry or exit (Nieland
1997, Hathorn & Thornton 1985?). The gates will be located where
the opening between the gate�s bars will be greater than the
entrance�s smallest restriction (Nieland 1997, Hathorn &
Thornton 1985?). The gates will be located near the dark zone where
the bat�s risk from predators can be reduced (Nieland 1997, Tuttle
1977). By following these specifications, we will be able to
construct bat friendly gates.
Cited Literature
Hathorn, Jim and Thornton, Jer (1985). �The common sense guide to
cave gates.� ACCA Cave Management Series.
Nieland, Jim (1997). Cave Gating Manual. American Cave
Conservation Association, Northwest Chapter.
Tuttle, Merlin D. (1976). �Gating as a means of protecting cave
dwelling bats.� National Cave Management Symposium Proceedings.
Mountain View, AR. pp 77-82.
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