Brian - Team A.I.
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Posts posted by Brian - Team A.I.
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Like the saying goes...
you don't know what you had, till it's gone.
It goes beyond caching, but directly involves it in many respects.
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Wildest Bill on the Hill Coming Soon
By Bill Schneider, 2-07-07
Caption: Map courtesy of Alliance for the Wild Rockies.
Informally, the founders call it "the wildest bill on the hill," but officially, it's called the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2007, and in the next few weeks, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) will, with the support of 187 co-sponsors (and counting), introduce the bill into the 110th Congress. It would designate many millions of acres of Wilderness, two new national park units, hundreds of miles of wild and scenic rivers, and establish linkage corridors between many of these areas. It covers all of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, and dips slightly into far eastern Oregon and Washington.
And with the new political landscape created by the last election, backers are confident of their chances for success.
Mike Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies (AWR), the main ball carrier of this legislation, says NREPA will be among the highest priority wilderness bills in Congress.
For a more detailed explanation, go here, but in summary, here is what NREPA does:
· Protects most roadless lands in the northern Rockies (20,572,147 acres) by giving them the "highest level of legal protection--designation under the 1964 Wilderness Act."
· Adds two units the National Park System--Hells Canyon-Chief Joseph National Park & Preserve Study Area (1,439,444 acres) along the Oregon/Idaho border and the Flathead National Preserve Study Area (285,078 acres) adjacent to Glacier National Park. "Preserve status prohibits developments which impair natural and scenic values," according to AWR, "while traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, and firewood gathering and some motorized uses, continue."
· Designates 1,810 miles of Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers.
· Safeguards against habitat fragmentation by establishing a system of Biological Linkage Corridors to connect the region's core wildlands into what AWR calls "a functioning ecological whole." These areas would be protected as Wilderness and as special management zones (3,476,118 acres) where development is limited, but not prohibited.
· Establishes a pilot system of Wildland Restoration Areas (1,022,769 acres) and creates jobs restoring damage caused by unwise resource extraction practices. Efforts will focus on removal of excess and unneeded roads, reduction of soil erosion, and restoration of native vegetation and water quality. "Native fisheries and wildlife populations will be rejuvenated ," again according to AWR, "while boosting the economy in rural communities formerly dependent on resource extraction."
· Designate the Badger-Two Medicine area adjacent to Glacier National Park as the Blackfeet Wilderness where traditional Native American uses and treaty rights are fully protected.
"It's in bill drafting now," Garrity said in a phone interview with NewWest.net. "We expect it to go in soon, at least by March."
Garrity said there is no sponsor for the bill in the Senate yet. "We are going to try for this, but right now, the house is the priority. We hope to get to the Senate by passing it there from the House."
New Wilderness is automatically an economic boom for local communities, Garrity said, but in addition, he points to the establishment of Wildlands Recovery Areas as an effort being made by AWR to make the legislation more of an economic development boon for the northern Rockies. If passed, the legislation would restore over a million acres of logged areas and 6,300 miles of unused, poorly maintained roads. Garrity says this will create 2,100 new jobs, "far more jobs than might be lost by the decrease in logging if the bill passed."
All the restoration work would be under the Davis-Bacon Act, he notes, which means union wages. Because of this prospect for more good-paying jobs, the Teamsters and Operating Engineers Unions in Western Montana and Idaho have supported the bill, according to Garrity.
"This would allow the timber industry to plan for what they can cut in the future," Garrity said. "It would also save taxpayers 245 million dollars because we wouldn't be subsidizing plans to log in roadless areas."
While this became a primary concern among people up here because of its significant potential for elimination of millions of acres of OHV access of all types, this situation can and will affect cachers as well, because designated wilderness is off-limits to caches. Even if you live in any of the affected area, PLEASE contact your congressional representatives and express your views. If this passes, some of the most beautiful terrain in the country will no longer be cache-country. Both houses of Congress will be voting on this issue, and the more pressure placed on them will increase the likelihood the bill fails to pass.
I'm not going to go off on a tirade about increases in designated wilderness, but the bottom line is that this can affect everyone. Please express your views and help get this legislation shot down. If it were to pass, I see this becoming that little snowball at the top of steep mountain.
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... the idiots here in California
Trying to make new friends here?
WHy not clear this up?
Is this a personal coin with a Montana flavor or a Montana coin?
If the former, more power to you - if the latter then yes, people are going to get upset.
It could go either way, but I'm leaning toward the latter being the likely candidate. As I stated on the MT Geocachers forum, having more than one coin out at a time is going to create market saturation and adversely impact sales for both. It would also diminish their later value, because of the likely dispute between them for which is an 'official' coin. The bottom line here is that most of this hostility would have been nullified if you stated up front that you were a Montanan, but had to relocate due to work. Instead, your information on the forum pages shows you as hailing from Porterville, CA and incorrect assumptions are made because we only had that information to work with. But in looking at your actual profile, I see a Montana flag waving above your personal stats code. But this doesn't tell me you're necessarily from there, so an incorrect assumption could be made from that as well. It also hurts your reception when you talk about a design you won't show us, because it makes those of us here in MT a little jaded in thinking that you will not accept input from us in the design process.
What I started working on will be posted locally at first, and as thedesign progressed into the more serious stages of development, it would post here as well for review. The goal of a coin for a large group of people is being open about development.
As far as total production, I would recommend 1000 as a base point to work from. Depending on reception from the geocaching community overall, adjust accordingly. But since there has been interest in the coin for a few years, one coming to fruition should do well.
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... the idiots here in California
Trying to make new friends here?
WHy not clear this up?
Is this a personal coin with a Montana flavor or a Montana coin?
If the former, more power to you - if the latter then yes, people are going to get upset.
It could go either way, but I'm leaning toward the latter being the likely candidate. As I stated on the MT Geocachers forum, having more than one coin out at a time is going to create market saturation and adversely impact sales for both. It would also diminish their later value, because of the likely dispute between them for which is an 'official' coin. The bottom line here is that most of this hostility would have been nullified if you stated up front that you were a Montanan, but had to relocate due to work. Instead, your information on the forum pages shows you as hailing from Porterville, CA and incorrect assumptions are made because we only had that information to work with. But in looking at your actual profile, I see a Montana flag waving above your personal stats code. But this doesn't tell me you're necessarily from there, so an incorrect assumption could be made from that as well. It also hurts your reception when you talk about a design you won't show us, because it makes those of us here in MT a little jaded in thinking that you will not accept input from us in the design process.
What I started working on will be posted locally at first, and as thedesign progressed into the more serious stages of development, it would post here as well for review. The goal of a coin for a large group of people is being open about development.
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First of all, I did drop the ball on creating a Montana geocoin, due in large part to some overwhelming personal issues that left me with little energy to work on it. However, things are looking up in my world and the interest is renewed. But I see that a caching team from CA is working on a design for a Montana State Geocoin. I don't think this is appropriate in the least, because it should be designed by Montanans primarily, so as to capture the essence of this state and cachers who live here.
If Jennifer&Dean and others in Montana would like to get with me via e-mail (better than PM for me), we can get back to the original concepts that had been drummed up and turn them into reality. The basis was there, we just needed to turn it into something tangible.
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So, has it been determined which was the first Adopt-a-Highway for a Geocaching group?
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My .02
These days there are at least two types of coins being produced. Among those are Geocoins and 'feel good' coins. This 9/11 coin falls squarely into the latter category, because it has absolutely nothing to do with caching whatsoever.
What is the point of the coin in the first place? Is it to help raise funds that will be donated to a post-9/11 effort, or is it going to help buy a PS3 or make Christmas a little better for you? I realize that question might seem a little brash, but this far past the events of that tragic day, I have to really question the motivation behind it.
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Ookay then. I have since caught up to myself and responded to all trade offers thus far. Please continue to e-mail us individually for trade offers, and I promise I'll respond within 24 hours from this point forward.
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To those that e-mailed requests for trades, my apologies for not getting back to all of you on the final arrangements. I had everything in a spreadsheet to keep track of my trades/offers but that file has since taken a vacation so I have to figure it out all over again. Lack of time for doing so at home after work has complicated things a bit, but I hope to get back on the ball tonight.
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Here is the back image of the Green version. Contact Brian to trade for this one.
Ahem, I did. He hasn't answered my email
I thought I replied from home last night?
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My green coins arrived today. In a word. Oooooooooooh.
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YJTB #0836 is the only one I received in 2004 for distribution that is actually still moving. I see it logged every couple of days or so.
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Why is it that my first reaction was Happy Chrismahanakwanzakaa, or however you spell it...
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What's really cool is that the binary actually means something, but nobody except Jake and I will know what it says.
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They won't just be in Arizona.
E-mail me direct for green coin trades and Jake for blue. -
Will TPTB accept faxed submissions to reduce the delay? I have a 4x4 trip coming up in 2 weeks that I really want to take a TB along on, because of the spectacular views and opportunities for contest photos. We'll be on the Morrison Jeep Trail in the heart of the Beartooth Mountains. Entrance to the trail from the start is via 23 switchbacks up the side of the mountain near the end of Clarks Fork Canyon. 4-wheelin' at 11,000' is something to behold.
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Having past LE experience, I am mixed about the opinion of gps_junky. His area must be one with rules far different from those I've had experience with, considering the above-mentioned Arizona Geocachers sign was erected by the State DOT, during the time I worked for the highway patrol. Nobody had a problem with it from the officers I worked with to the DOT guys at the NOC I worked with on pretty much an hourly basis when I was at work. If a temporary adhesive is considered defacement, that's ultimately ridiculous IMO.
Of course, I can see the inverse of the situation on nearly every light pole in town, which are oozing with the reside of packing/masking tape that was used to pimp garage sale #994372, and of course the tape and subsequent residue were not removed. They all look like crap now. The caveat is what is used and how large it is. Ideally, a simple label maker spitting out a 1/4" x 2-3" label and affixing it to something is nothing. It looks official and is absolutely miniscule in the grand scheme.
The easiest fix would be to simply call TPTB (in this case, probably the streets dept) and ask to speak to a supervisor about it. Let him/her know what you're looking to do, and see if they would endorse a small non-descript sticker on the back corner of the stop sign. Problem solved.
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Ooh, I wonder if a trade would be possible on this coin. I am a former Arizona Highway Patrol Dispatcher, my Grandpa is a former fire chief, my uncle is currently a deputy sheriff, and I plan on testing for officer with the HP up here in the near future. It would be a perfect coin to add to my collection, but I'm with AG that GC names should have been included to truly personalize the coin.
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From what I read last so far, they are pretty much design/pre-order at this time. No price that I'm aware of has been posted.
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There were people that had negative things to say about A coin I co-designed, but to each his own. I knew going into it that I wouldn't please everyone, nor did I try to. Out of some of the suggestions on the coin in design stage, some changes were made that ended up making the coin better overall.
I don't particularly care for any of them and that was the point I was making.
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Finally, here is the third coin I currently have in production.
As with the other two, I will make this available first to those on my e-mail list. If you would like to be added please send me an e-mail smalltreasures4sale@cox.net
Erik (Toponym)
Publishing 3 coins at once just goes to um, illustrate perfectly just how commercialized some Geocoins are becoming. Loose association with caching is not made by simply including the word 'cache' in coin verbage. By publishing these almost simultaneously, it looks to be nothing more than a commercial venture to exploit caching solely for monetary gain. Rather than contributing something worthwhile to the Geocaching (coin) community, you're just throwing some metal on the table and hoping it gets scooped up because we don't know any better.
Also, no offense, but 2 of the coins look like my daughter puked Skittles.
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Received in the mail 2 Friday ago (but I'm just getting to posting about it)
Geocaching Germany Coin
PC Frog Geocoin
Silvermarc Geocoin
Cog & Gil Geocoin
KSWader Geocoin
Opticsboy Geocoin
2005 CA Geocoin (2)
Sunshine Gang Geocoin
Red Handed Geocoin
October 2005 Geocoinclub Geocoin
Boys of Ladycacher Geocoin
World of Geocaching 2006 Geocoin
Mount Everest (Seven Summits) Geocoin
2005 New Mexico Geocoin
Not Another Micro (Geoswag) Geocoin
2005 COOL Club Geocoin
Pennsylvania Geocoin
2005 Canine Cachers (1st Edition) Geocoin
2005 Delaware Geocoin
Elemental Geocoin
2005 Maryland Geocaching Society
Panowege Geocoin
Geocachingmaine.org Geocoin
2005 UK Geocoin
Screw Geocoins Geocoin
Minnesota Geocaching Association Geocoin
Hoxie Scouts Geocoin
2005 Canine Cachers (2nd Edition) Geocoin
Dancingfool Geocoin
Indiana (Hoosiers) 2005 Geocoin
2006 NW Pennsylvania Geocachers Geocoin
Central Coast (CA) Cachers Geocoin
Temecula Valley Geocaching Association Geocoin
2005 Donbadabon Geocoin
2005 Alabama Geocoin
Buffalo Wings Geocoin
2005 NY-Geocaching.org Geocoin
Mitad del Mundo Geocoin
Camp Explorer Geocoin
2005 Wisconsin Geocaching Association Geocoin
NJ Geocoin
2005 nielsenc Geocoin
Travel Bug Buddy "Geocoin"
2006 Cache the Fever Geocoin
2005 Tennessee Geocoin
200? Wyoming Geocoin
2005 Washington Geocoin (2)
2006 Groundspeak Geocoin
Sirgerald/LadyLeann Geocoin
Iowa Geocoin
2005 UTAG Geocoin
Wildwood Bob and the Moose Geocoin
2006 Grand Canyon Geocoin
Autumn 2005 TXGA Geocoin
EU Geocoin
Jeepen Jumpers Geocoin
Summer 2005 North Dakota Geocoin
Team Sand Dollar Geocoin
Colombia Geocoin
Compass Rose Geocoin
2006 Looney Penguin Geocoin
Rhode Island Geocoin
2005 Ohio Geocoin
2006 North Carolina Geocachers Organization Geocoin
2006 Geocache Gypsy Geocoin
That should be about 67 coins.
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Thanks. We used Pantone color charts to try and come up with the most accurate color of the Arizona skies (on a clean air day), so hopefully this is right on the money.
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Don't hold out on us now. What do you think?
E-mail me direct for green coin trades and Jake for blue.
Congressional Legislation nightmare
in General geocaching topics
Posted
Caching hasn't been allowed in wilderness areas since caching began pretty much, so in the 6.75 years caching has been around no progress has been made toward this. So, rather than standing idly by and allowing the systematic elimination of many outdoor recreation opportunities, why not work to get one problem fixed (permitting caching in designated wilderness) instead of piling more problems on top of problems without ever finding out that the effort to get an activity permitted is going to be fruitful? Once these things are written into the Congressional Record, they are irreversible. Besides, I don't know for certain whether or not the Wilderness Act of 1964 would even permit an activity such as caching. If not, it would require a monumental act of Congress to get such a change made, and I honestly feel such a result is extraordinarily unlikely, even impossible.