1. The Indiana Cave Survey (“the ICS”) is interested in collecting, compiling, archiving, and disseminating information concerning cave and karst resources. Similarly, the Indiana Geological Survey, (“the IGS”) is interested in caves and karst resources found within the state of Indiana. The objectives of both the ICS and the IGS frequently overlap and, if pursued along separate lines, could result in duplication of effort, uneconomical utilization of available resources, and could result in inappropriate dissemination of cave and karst data. Both the ICS and the IGS agree that caves and related karst features should be preserved as valuable natural resources, including their habitats for unique life forms and their various speleothems. Moreover, they agree that such features deserve protection from vandalism. Therefore, the ICS and the IGS have mutually agreed to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of cooperating in the collection, compilation, archiving, and appropriate dissemination of information of karst and cave data to the public and geoscientists. These data includes the location of caves and karst features as described in, or shown on cave and karst or geologic maps and published literature, as well as other karst-related data.
2. The ICS through its volunteers, officers and agents, and the IGS through its officers, employees, and agents, shall mutually advise and collaborate concerning the collection, compilation, archiving, use and dissemination of cave and karst data. Copies of the databases compiled by either party will be provided upon request to the other party unless specifically forbidden by law or regulation. All rights to, and use of the ICS data are reserved unconditionally to the ICS, including the release, publication or other dissemination of the data, and the database will be considered proprietary information and the intellectual property of the ICS.
3. The IGS may use the cave and karst data in the ICS database for compilation of cave and karst maps, reports and other documents. The IGS agrees to use the most current karst data set available at the time that a given report or map is submitted for publication. These maps, reports and documents shall be produced in such a manner that they can not be used to find specific cave locations, and will include text explaining the source of the data and the inherent incomplete nature of the data. The ICS database shall be managed in such a manner that unauthorized release of the data will not occur to the general public. However, the IGS may release data on a site-specific basis when such release will result in the research, rescue, protection, mitigation of damage to, or remediation of damage to the caves. The IGS will not release more data than is required for these purposes, and that is within a discrete area shown on a map or easily defined via a section-township-range legal description. Data requests for areas of more than nine contiguous sections shall be made after conferring with the ICS, which must agree to such release, or may choose to make the release itself. The IGS will not knowingly release the specific location of caves to recreationists (cavers). The complete database will not be released by the IGS without a separate written agreement with the ICS.
4. The IGS shall appoint a professional staff member as the primary ICS liaison who shall also be the point of contact for those seeking and receiving the data. The ICS shall also appoint a liaison to the IGS. The State Geologist or his delegated representative and the ICS president or his delegated representative will discuss and attempt to resolve any issues not otherwise mutually agreed upon by the liaisons in this MOU. Only one copy of the ICS database will be maintained within the IGS. It will be under the direct control of the Director or his designate.
5. This Memorandum of Understanding shall become effective as of the date of approval by the President of the Indiana Cave Survey and the State Geologist of the Indiana Geological Survey, and shall remain in effect until terminated by either party. The terminating party shall give at least thirty (30) days written notice stating cause for termination. Upon termination of this MOU, the ICS database shall be deleted from the IGS files and computers and any physical copies shall be returned. This document shall remain in force regardless of the tenure in position of the signing State Geologist or ICS President. This document may be amended upon the conclusion of discussion and mutual signed agreement between the parties as to amendment intent, scope and language.
Indiana Cave Survey, Bruce A. Trotter, President
Indiana Geological Survey, John C. Steinmetz, Director and State Geologist
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