River system receives federal protection

Southern Indiana’s Lost River, which runs in the state’s second-largest cave system, will now have federal protection.

The river, which runs for nearly 90 miles underground in the area of Orleans, Ind., and Paoli, Ind., in Orange County, is naturally surrounded by limestone bedrock that makes up most of southern Indiana. The cave system causes sinkholes found
commonly in that part of the state.

Federal Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said last week the federal government had completed 27 land acquisitions in 15 states for a total of $40.6 million.

“In keeping with the Obama administration’s America’s Great Outdoors conservation initiative, USDA is committed to conserving and restoring our forests and bringing jobs to rural America,” Vilsack said in a prepared statement. “Through our partnerships with states, communities, tribes and others, it is vital that we step up our efforts to safeguard our country’s natural resources.”

The $466,000 going to Indiana and the Hoosier National Forest will be used to purchase 212 acres of the Lost River system that is home to at least 15 endangered subterranean species. Specifically, the USDA said projects will include protecting several sinkhole entrances to the cave system.

“It’s going to be more of an area where we just let it be,” said Judi Perez, a spokeswoman for the Hoosier National Forest. “We may go plant some grasses but not trees because there aren’t any trees in that area.”

The purchase was made through the Land and Water Conservation Fund in coordination with the Nature Conservancy.

— Charles Scudder