Texas Speleological Survey

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This page last updated May 10, 2008

TSS FORMAL DATA REQUEST PROCEDURE

The Texas Speleological Survey (TSS) is a nonprofit corporation that collects, organizes, and maintains information on Texas caves and karst. Its purpose is to support cave and karst science, education, and conservation, and to generally make its information available to responsible persons and organizations in support of these goals. TSS reserves the right not to distribute certain information if it could result in the exploitation or degradation of cave or karst resources.

Requests for TSS data must be submitted in writing and must include the following:

(a) the name, street address, and telephone number of the person, business, organization, or agency requesting the data;

(b) a description of the data requested, or the type of data requested if specific data are not known;

(c) a description of the intended use of the data;

(d) qualifications of the person, business, organization, or agency to properly use the data;

(e) a statement of intent not to directly or indirectly harm, degrade or destroy caves, karst features, or their contents, nor to harass or otherwise disturb the owners of caves and karst features;

(f) a statement holding the TSS harmless for the quality, accuracy, use, interpretation, or causes of action based upon the data;

(g) an agreement not to publish the locations of caves or karst features, the names or addresses of the caves' or features' owners, or other information identified by TSS as sensitive or proprietary, or otherwise release such data to anyone who does not directly need it to accomplish the goals stated as the intended use of the data and as such approved for release by the TSS;

(h) an agreement to provide the TSS with a copy of all data, maps, or reports that are produced based on or including the released data, with an estimated time frame of when that information will be delivered;

(i) if the person, business, organization, or agency is making the request on behalf of other persons, businesses, organizations, or agencies, then letters are needed from each of the other parties providing the above information and stipulating to the above conditions; and

(j) an agreement to pay TSS a fee of $25/hr, with a minimum charge for one hour, plus direct costs associated with the compilation, copying, and shipping of the data requested.

Requests for TSS data and payment for services (checks payable to "Texas Speleological Survey" ) should be submitted to:


William Russell 512-453-4774
whrussell@ gmail.com
4806 Red River
Austin, TX 78751-3331


To expedite the processing of your request, send it by e-mail to the e-mail address above with any maps attached as TIFF files.