This section describes impacts to cave and karst resources resulting from implementation of the alternatives. Adverse impacts to cave and karst systems result from management actions that alter, degrade, or destroy cave or karst systems and their features. Conversely, actions that result in data collection and preservation or establishment of cave and karst resources and their associated geological, biological, cultural, paleontological, hydrological, and/or educational values are considered beneficial impacts. Beneficial impacts from the designations of the Spanish Point Karst, Sheep Mountain Anticline, and Little Mountain ACECs are addressed in the Special Designations section of this chapter.

Direct impacts to cave and karst resources result from management actions that physically alter, damage, or destroy cave and karst systems, including their associated geologic features (speleothems) and biologic communities. In general, recreational uses of caves have the greatest potential to directly impact cave and karst resources.

Indirect impacts to cave and karst systems can result from actions that increase the accessibility of cave and karst areas, and therefore the probability of adverse impacts due to incompatible or excessive recreational use. Indirect impacts can also result from activities that can alter water quality (e.g., agriculture, pesticide application, pollution) when degraded water infiltrates into groundwater, thereby possibly altering the chemical and biological environment of cave and karst systems.