TITLE 12 CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Section 4. Mineral Resources and Caves, 12-4-1 through 12-4-147.

ARTICLE 4 CAVE PROTECTION

12-4-143. Defacing or disturbing natural condition of cave; breaking or tampering with gates, doors, or other device controlling or preventing access to caves; trespass.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person, without the express written permission of the owner, willfully or knowingly to:
   1. Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write upon, burn, or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces of any cave or any natural or archeological 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; or
   4. Enter a cave posted against trespassing or a cave with a lock, gate, door, or other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to the cave.
2. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ga. L. 1977, p. 833, § 4; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1075, § 1.)