Aron Schmid Joins Board

Aron Schmid has been a caver for over 25 years concentrating in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Project caving, especially cave survey, is his particular area of interest. Aron is a life member of the MAKC and the NSS. He is also the long serving treasurer of the Loyalhanna Grotto and member of the […]

Recent Library Additions

We’ve had several recent additions to our library, including some additional convention mugs from the estate of Larry Southam (via Bert Ashbrook and Chris Hill), some books from Jeff Jahn, and a large donation of collectibles from Judi Stack. Kim Metzgar, her mom, Marian Opatka, and Tyler Reed, traveled to Harrisburg this spring to pick […]

Penn Aqua Kiosk Complete

MAKC member George Bange’s second favorite cave—aside from his own, Rupert—is Penn Aqua. Not far from where he lives and about a half hour’s drive from Rupert, this Mifflin County Cave was acquired by MAKC in November of 2021. George, who is the preserve manager, began building the kiosk, well before the artwork was completed. […]

Our Latest Preserve

McClure Cave Management Plan

Last Revision 2/14/2022 Introduction The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy (MAKC) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania. The MAKC’s purpose is to promote the study, conservation, and preservation of caves and karst resources and the education of the public about those resources. In the winter of 2022, MAKC purchased a .74-acre parcel of […]

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Cave Laws

Cave Laws

Pennsylvania Recreational Use Statute

LAND FOR RECREATION – LIABILITY FOR LANDOWNERS TO RECREATIONAL USERS Act of Oct. 24, 2018, P.L. 671, No. 98 Cl. 68 Session of 2018 No. 2018-98 HB 544 AN ACT Amending the act of February 2, 1966 (1965 P.L.1860, No.586), entitled “An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public […]

Cave Laws

Landowner Liability Act

No. 586, HB 1005, signed into law Feb. 2, 1966 Encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith, and repealing certain acts. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. The purpose of this act is […]

Cave Laws

Pennsylvania Cave Law

o 1990-133, SB 867, Signed into law Nov. 21, 1990 Prohibiting certain conduct with respect to caves; and imposing penalties. Section 1. Short title. This act shall be cited as the Cave Protection Act. Section 2. Legislative findings and policy. The General Assembly finds that caves are unusual geologic phenomena and that the minerals deposited […]

Cave Laws

Federal Cave Protection Act

Cave Laws: The Federal Cave Protection Act of 1988 Federal Cave Resources Protection Act Reprinted (with corrections) from the NSS News, December 1988, pp 460-461. SEC 1. SHORT TITLE. Sec. 2. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND POLICY. Sec. 3. DEFINITIONS. Sec. 4. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS. Sec. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING NATURE AND LOCATION OF SIGNIFICANT CAVES. Sec. 6. […]

Cave Laws

West Virginia Cave Protection Law

Chapter 20. Natural Resources. ARTICLE 7A. CAVE PROTECTION. §20-7A-1. Definitions. Unless the context in which used clearly requires a different meaning, as used in this article: (a) “Cave” means any naturally occurring subterranean cavity. The word “cave” includes or is synonymous with cavern, pit, pothole, well, sinkhole and grotto. (b) “Commercial cave” means any cave […]