It is unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written permission of the owner, to willfully or knowingly:

(1)        Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar or harm the surfaces of any cave or any natural material therein, including speleothems;

(2)        Disturb or alter in any manner the natural condition of any cave;

(3)        Break, force, tamper with or otherwise disturb a lock, gate, door or other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave, even though entrance thereto may not be gained.

Any person violating a provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1987, c. 449; 1993, c. 539, s. 103; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

Attorney's Note

Under the N.C. Gen. Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class 3 misdemeanorup to 20 daysup to $200
For details, see § 15A-1340.23

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 14-159.21

  • cave: includes or is synonymous with cavern, pit, well, sinkhole, and grotto;

    North Carolina General Statutes 14-159.20

  • Owner: means a person who has title to land where a cave is located, including a person who owns title to a leasehold estate in such land. See North Carolina General Statutes 14-159.20
  • Person: means any individual, partnership, firm, association, trust or corporation;