Post by Sharon Faulkner on Oct 5, 2005 6:46:27 GMT -5
SCCi Completes Purchase of South Pittsburg Pit
By: John Hickman (Nashville, Tennessee)
The Southeastern Cave Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of South Pittsburg Pit, located in the city of South Pittsburg in Marion County, Tennessee. The cave has a beautiful 160-foot entrance pit and more than 2,200 feet of surveyed passage, and has been a popular destination for cavers since its initial exploration by Chattanooga Grotto members in February, 1964.
In 1997, the Conservancy leased the rights to the cave and one acre of surrounding land. For seven years, the SCCi managed access and kept the cave open for visitation. In 2004, the lease expired, and the owner chose not to renew it. Instead, the 1,900-acre property containing the cave was listed for sale. Since that time, the SCCi has been working to purchase the cave and a reasonable buffer of land around it.
Early this year, the property containing the cave was sold to a
developer. SCCi representatives contacted the new owner and made a proposal to purchase the cave and some of the land around it. Many months of negotiation followed.
During this time, the cave had been closed. We are happy to announce that the cave is now open and access is once again available for foot traffic via the trail from Lloyd Park.
The South Pittsburg Pit Preserve includes the pit entrance and 10 acres overlying the cave passages. In February, 2006, the seller will be donating an additional 10 acres which will serve as a buffer against future development in the area.
The purchase required a $10,000 down-payment and has been financed by a 10-year, $40,000 mortgage. Donations to support the purchase and help pay off the mortgage are needed. A new "Buy a Piece of the Pit" program will debut at the TAG Fall Cave-In. Donations of $20 or more will be recognized with a certificate of honorary ownership of a piece of the cave, pit, or preserve. Donors will also receive an SCCi South Pittsburg Pit T-shirt featuring the SCCi logo and a map pf the cave.
Contributions may be made by check or credit card, and may be mailed to:
Contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS rules for section 501(c)3 charitable organizations.
The South Pittsburg Pit Preserve is the SCCi's 22nd cave preserve. The SCCi now owns or leases 52 caves, and this purchase has increased its holdings to 1,159 acres of cave and karst lands in six states.
The property manager for the South Pittsburg Pit Preserve is David Crisp. He can be contacted at southpittsburg@scci.org.
The pit has been closed to regular visitation for over a year, and
visitors should be alert for loose rocks, debris, and other hazards
when visiting the cave. Recently, a large tree located opposite the road fell across the pit. Caution is advised if a rope is rigged on that side of the pit, since the area at the lip of the pit was
disturbed when the tree fell.
Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to SCCi Acquisitions Chairman Bill Putnam (bputnam@scci.org) or SCCi Chairman John Hickman (jhickman@scci.org).
Membership applications and information about the SCCi and its
activities are available at our web site, www.scci.org
>>permission is granted to distribute this announcement throughout the caving community<<
By: John Hickman (Nashville, Tennessee)
The Southeastern Cave Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of South Pittsburg Pit, located in the city of South Pittsburg in Marion County, Tennessee. The cave has a beautiful 160-foot entrance pit and more than 2,200 feet of surveyed passage, and has been a popular destination for cavers since its initial exploration by Chattanooga Grotto members in February, 1964.
In 1997, the Conservancy leased the rights to the cave and one acre of surrounding land. For seven years, the SCCi managed access and kept the cave open for visitation. In 2004, the lease expired, and the owner chose not to renew it. Instead, the 1,900-acre property containing the cave was listed for sale. Since that time, the SCCi has been working to purchase the cave and a reasonable buffer of land around it.
Early this year, the property containing the cave was sold to a
developer. SCCi representatives contacted the new owner and made a proposal to purchase the cave and some of the land around it. Many months of negotiation followed.
During this time, the cave had been closed. We are happy to announce that the cave is now open and access is once again available for foot traffic via the trail from Lloyd Park.
The South Pittsburg Pit Preserve includes the pit entrance and 10 acres overlying the cave passages. In February, 2006, the seller will be donating an additional 10 acres which will serve as a buffer against future development in the area.
The purchase required a $10,000 down-payment and has been financed by a 10-year, $40,000 mortgage. Donations to support the purchase and help pay off the mortgage are needed. A new "Buy a Piece of the Pit" program will debut at the TAG Fall Cave-In. Donations of $20 or more will be recognized with a certificate of honorary ownership of a piece of the cave, pit, or preserve. Donors will also receive an SCCi South Pittsburg Pit T-shirt featuring the SCCi logo and a map pf the cave.
Contributions may be made by check or credit card, and may be mailed to:
SCCi
PO Box PO Box 71857
Chattanooga TN 37407-0857
PO Box PO Box 71857
Chattanooga TN 37407-0857
Contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS rules for section 501(c)3 charitable organizations.
The South Pittsburg Pit Preserve is the SCCi's 22nd cave preserve. The SCCi now owns or leases 52 caves, and this purchase has increased its holdings to 1,159 acres of cave and karst lands in six states.
The property manager for the South Pittsburg Pit Preserve is David Crisp. He can be contacted at southpittsburg@scci.org.
The pit has been closed to regular visitation for over a year, and
visitors should be alert for loose rocks, debris, and other hazards
when visiting the cave. Recently, a large tree located opposite the road fell across the pit. Caution is advised if a rope is rigged on that side of the pit, since the area at the lip of the pit was
disturbed when the tree fell.
Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to SCCi Acquisitions Chairman Bill Putnam (bputnam@scci.org) or SCCi Chairman John Hickman (jhickman@scci.org).
Membership applications and information about the SCCi and its
activities are available at our web site, www.scci.org
>>permission is granted to distribute this announcement throughout the caving community<<