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PCCP Summary
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Peppersauce Cave Conservation Project (PCCP)
Project status to August 2003
Summary
A $71,000 grant was issued in 2001 to clean and restore the cave. E. Coli and coliform were found in the water. Remove trash and graffiti. Erect an information kiosk outside and in-cave signage.
A web site was created, quarterly accounting and reports completed
The grant was Fed. Clean Waters monies, 319H admin through AZ. Dept. Env. Qual.
Major Accomplishments
Two major water samplings: 4/02 and 1/03. Both samples came up clean. E. coli and coliform not found.
85% of the cave cleaned of graffiti. Three sandblasting teams worked simotaneously
Regular Solid Waste cleanups completed.
In cave reflective signs installed.
Kiosk erected outside cave including map, safety and general cave information.
Accounting completed
Ladder installed to Pool Room (and three knotted ropes removed before installation)
Free camping allowed at nearby USFS campground
Problems
Several in-cave reflective signs knocked down or removed. Spot welds did not hold
Some retagging occurred.
Malicious tagging in March 2003.
Burnout
BIG NEWS
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE EQUIPMENT!!! (APPX $15,000 WORTH)
BIGGER NEWS
THE GRAFFITI REMOVAL EQUIPMENT IS GOING ON TOUR AROUND THE COUNTRY TO CLEAN CAVES IN THE U.S.
What equipment?
1 trailer with perpetual licence
1 vehicle mounted compressor
1500 ft. 3/4 inch high pressure hose & couplings
600 ft. 3/8 inch high pressure hose & couplings
3 cave phones with 1/2 mile of wire
A 3-way regulator assembly allowing three working sandblast teams
2 rechargable family radios
25 respirators
25 goggles
15 face shields
1 generator with 2-20amp, 110 VAC outlets
1800 ft. of 100 ft. extension chords on reels.
250 ft. of 50 ft. extension chords
20 pairs of gloves
4 gas cans
2 GFI Interrupts
3 Shop Vacs
Some other stuff
Several hundred pounds of blast media
3 sandblast teams’ equipment including: guns, hoppers, tarps, brushes, elec. lights, drills with brushes, 2 dust pans, 2 ext. chords each, carrying tubs
So: How Far Did We Get At Peppersauce?
Some Pictures of the Effort
What’s Next?
Get the equipment out to other caves to remove graffiti.
Set up a schedule and transfer sequence.
Teach the next project people how to be more effecient.
Weekends work better than single days. Setup and clean up cut in half. Most people do not work both days.
20 is enough to keep three teams working with relief.
Get buy-in from local groups. Not just cavers
Always be looking for fresh help.
… lessons learned
No one drills (brushes) or sandblasts without eye protection
Safety is always a concern
Get the phones in early
Two person relief teams for lunch breaks. Keep the sandblasters going.
Fresh cavers to help pulling equipment at the end of the day are wonderful
… lessons learned
Sandblasting only on formations. No wire brushes. Flowstone and rimstone show little damage and the blast media gets the graffiti in the depressions.
Clean respirators after every use using anaseptic wipes.
Place in-cave signage high, out of reach.
Questions?
Questions or comments:
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