Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§4304 Confidentiality of information concerning nature and location of significant caves

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 63— - FEDERAL CAVE RESOURCES PROTECTION › § 4304

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Keeps the exact locations of significant caves from being made public under section 552 of title 5 unless the Secretary decides that sharing the location would help the chapter’s goals and would not cause a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction. The Secretary can give cave-location information to Federal or State agencies or to legitimate educational or research institutions if they send a written request that names the site, says why the information is needed, and promises to protect the information and the cave from vandalism and unauthorized use.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §4304

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Information concerning the specific location of any significant cave may not be made available to the public under section 552 of title 5 unless the Secretary determines that disclosure of such information would further the purposes of this chapter and would not create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction of such cave.

(b)Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary may make available information regarding significant caves upon the written request by Federal and State governmental agencies or bona fide educational and research institutions. Any such written request shall, at a minimum—

(1)describe the specific site or area for which information is sought;

(2)explain the purpose for which such information is sought; and

(3)include assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that adequate measures are being taken to protect the confidentiality of such information and to ensure the protection of the significant cave from destruction by vandalism and unauthorized use.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 4304

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73