CKRIT: THE CAVE AND KARST RESOURCE INFORMATION TRACKING DATABASE

The NPS is beginning to embrace database technology in new ways and creating a database and geodatabases for NPS units with caves and karst resources. The Cave and Karst Resource Information Tracking database (CKRIT pronounced secret) development is in its infancy. The goal of CKRIT is to provide a secure database for the management of cave resources at individual parks. A challenge will be to develop a secure, comprehensive, but flexible database for each cave resource office while providing upper-level management information for reporting purposes. Storing and transferring cave data is difficult due to the significant security measures necessary to align with the Federal Cave Protection Act. However, storing cave and karst data at the national level could benefit disaster management, emergency response, and conservation initiatives.