The cave's biota appreciate your consideration!
However, on our bio-inventory that way last month, we found just a couple
isopods immediately before the Water Barrier, and maybe a salamander
larva, in the water.
OK, just checked my notes and it was only 2 isopods.  In August we saw 0
isopods and 3 grotto salamander larvae before we reached the WB.
Also, if you're only using water and brushes, I don't think a little
speleothem-scrubbing (and that passage could certainly use it) will
impact the critters, but use common sense.  Mike: you could also easily
keep a couple people busy for a couple hours moving that old ammo can to
the new entrance.

The majority of bats (particularly grays) that we'd counted in August had
all moved to the other side of the WB by September.  By now the grays
will probably have moved even closer to their hibernacula (near the nat.
ent., where's it's much cooler).  Remember that ANY bats we see after
October will probably be hibernating and should be left undisturbed.

Let me know what you guys see on your trip.  (We need an easier protocol
for doing just that.)

On this note I'd like to point out that (as stated in our last bio trip
report) fresh guano was noted at the bat roosts in Carroll River Passage,
between the WB and the Lunch Room.  Because of this, I'd like to ask our
Board (and the Access Committee) to approve a closure of that section of
cave next spring.  As our first (?) official (?) closure request, I'll
put this in all caps:

I hereby make a MOTION FOR THE PASSAGE BETWEEN THE WATER BARRIER AND THE
MOUNTAIN ROOM TO BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM MAY 1st TO AUGUST 31st, so
as to not disturb the gray bat maternity colonies.

I'd also like to make a MOTION THAT THE PASSAGE BETWEEN THE NATURAL
ENTRANCE AND THE MOUNTAIN ROOM BE CLOSED FROM OCTOBER 1st THROUGH MARCH
31st, so as to not disturb the gray bat hibernation colonies.

These are the only stretches of passage that I know are being used by
gray (and perhaps Indiana) bat colonies.  If you see clustered bats
elsewhere, please let me know.  These limitations still leave us with
plenty of cave to cover - the cave's endangered species should be a
higher priority.  Afterall, as the MDC has recently reminded me:

> If people are disturbing bats in Carroll Cave, they need to stop that

> and change their procedures. This could be an indictable offense under the

> Federal Endangered Species Act or Missouri Wildlife Code, especially with

> regards to gray bats or Indiana bats.

Thanks,
Lawrence Ireland