Preface:
The
need for this handbook
In the Unites States, 20% of the land surface is karst, and
40% of groundwater is stored in karst aquifers (Karst Waters Institute, 2010). Usually underlain by limestone bedrock, karst
landscapes are characterized by interior drainage. Rain falls to the ground and
immediately disappears into sinkholes and caves. Surface streams are rare in karst landscapes.
In karst areas, this groundwater flows through natural
limestone cracks and conduits that range in diameter from a few millimeters to
vast tunnels containing underground rivers. These waters discharge through
springs to the surface. The term karst comes from the region in Slovenia of
that name where the limestone land surface is riddled with sinkholes, cave
openings and sinking streams.
Karst land is generally less suitable for development for
the same reason that prudent developers avoid building in wetlands, on steep
slopes, or in earthquake-prone areas – it is unstable land. As any farmer who
grows crops on karst will tell you, a farm field on karst has a constantly
changing surface. New sinkholes can open up suddenly under the wheels of a
tractor or truck. The common practice of filling in sinkholes with debris does
not last long. In a year or two, the continual flow of water into the drain at
the bottom of most sinkholes will carry away baling wire, fenceposts, tree tops
and trunks, or discarded machinery. In wet years, karst land can flood, water
welling up out of the overfilled conduits below the surface.
Less desirable land often carries a bargain price tag. Therefore, some developers think that building
on karst is an opportunity to “buy low and sell high.” Some developers may be ignorant of karst
problems, but others hope that buyers will not become aware of the problems and
hazards of karst before the developer has received his money and moved on.
Too often developments on karst turn out to be costly, bad
investments. Building foundations, streets,
and utility lines can crack and sink due to collapse and subsidence. Yards and
basements can flood, and groundwater wells can become contaminated. Public safety can be at risk. Too often, such “unforeseen”
problems are termed “an Act of God.”
They are not. They are the result
of the sad truth: Ignore Karst, Build
Now, Fix Later.
This handbook has been prepared to assist citizens who want
to prevent a karst disaster in their
community. It outlines a tested
step-by-step procedure for moving quickly to educate public officials, zoning
and planning approval authorities, investors and lenders, buyers and taxpayers before they come up against expensive
surprises. Real-world case studies are cited.
Why is a rapid response required? Unscrupulous developers know that if they
slide their plans through unknowing approval authorities and political
officials with claims of “Jobs and Progress,” they often may gain construction approval
before ordinary citizens are any wiser.
When concerned citizens do eventually learn the truth they are told, “It’s
a done deal! You’re too late.” Clearly a
rapid rescue response is needed. Preparedness is gold!
Emergency rescue organizations of the type described in this
handbook have proliferated in the past years for several reasons. The task of
raising the public’s awareness of emergencies has shifted “first responder”
capabilities from traditional police and fire units to specially trained and
equipped rescue squads. Emergencies such
as injury accidents require urgent medical care. In all such situations, effective emergency
response includes dealing with formidable environmental challenges plus speed and
expert removal and transport skills.
Less urgently than emergency responders, but perhaps equally
important, is the need for a fast response “cave saving” task force, embodying specialized
expertise in science, politics, legal challenges, and public relations. Recent experiences in Kentucky ,
Tennessee , and West Virginia demonstrate the urgent need
for a rapid response karst and cave rescue team. In Tennessee ,
the threat was to Rumbling
Falls Cave ,
where a municipality proposed to build a sewage treatment plant atop the
largest cave room in the state – a national treasure.
Farther north, the Kentucky Transpark used complex questionable
political maneuvers to claim exemption from Environmental Impact Study
preparation in a federalized project and to silence discussion on an industrial
park karst site above an underground river, near Bowling
Green and Mammoth
Cave National
Park .
Also in Kentucky , state politicians
and officials proposed building I-66 across several important karst areas in Kentucky ’s Pulaski and
Laurel counties, with insufficient environmental and construction expertise. Limestone
quarries have been proposed in areas with significant cave rivers and
endangered species that would be impacted by this industrial activity.
In West Virginia ,
a team of developers, a contractor, and state officials tried to build a
regional sewage plant on a karst floodplain by systematically violating the law,
disregarding sound civil engineering practices, and ignoring expert and public
opinion.
These are all recent examples of situations where a karst
rapid response team was needed, to ensure protection of land value, community
life, and water quality from unthinking, unheeding development on risky
terrain.
Also, opportunities
to save caves may come about over a number of years, and some may arise
suddenly. Sometimes a farm with
notable caves comes to market due to an owner’s death. Developers may seize such opportunities to
lock up cave properties before dedicated cave conservation groups can respond
with effective protection measures.
Clearly, a rapid multi-faceted, effective emergency response to cave
threats or cave opportunities is needed.
The authors hope you will find immediately useful
information in this handbook. Remember, every situation is unique, so we offer
general principles rather than hard and fast rules. Tailor your actions to your situation and
circumstances. And by all means, contact
the Karst Rapid Response Network the minute you learn of a cave and karst
threat. We will put you in touch with
expert assistance.
Roger Brucker, Hilary Lambert, George Phillips,
Leslie Barras, Tom Barr, and Tom Poulson.
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