In 2001, the Service provided funding to coordinate a project that would secure additional protection for the site. Key measures implemented included: 1) A survey and mapping of the underground features of the quarry; 2) Installation of speleo event counters to determine whether or not human visitation to the quarry is occurring; 3) Signage to discourage human visitation of the quarry; and, 4) Planning for long-term monitoring of the quarry. Service partners in this project were the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State University, Indiana Cave Survey, and the landowners who own the entrance to the quarry. All of these measures have now been completed. The survey enabled us to associate surface features with underground passages, which was critical information in making recommendations for development that is occurring in the area. The event counters, put in place during the winter of 2003, allowed us to determine that no unauthorized visits occurred to the quarry during the 2003 gray bat maternity season. The event counters were in place again this year, and will be downloaded after the gray bats have left the quarry for the winter. Signage was also installed in the quarry. Finally, plans for the Service and Indiana State University researchers to conduct annual monitoring of the quarry of the site are in place. A count conducted in August 2004 estimated the current population at 6,520 bats. The landowners have been good stewards for this colony of endangered bats; their enthusiastic cooperation along with protective measures have been key in allowing the growth of this colony.

Secondary roost sites as well foraging habitat for this colony are located at another Clark County site, the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. The Army, which has plans to excess the base, has worked closely with the Service to ensure that the bats are protected and ESA requirements are met during the closure process; research on the colony was funded during the summer of 2004. A large portion of the plant will be added to Charlestown State Park. The Division of State Parks is working with the Service to ensure that gray bat habitat on the property will be protected and enhanced through the park development process.