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nfa

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Posts posted by nfa

  1. Hi,

     

    I have q problem/question. It took 8 days to get a traditional cache on my own property (GCJ6GM) approved by mtn man, which is no big deal really (although it is longer than it has seemed to take in other cases), but I understand he was sick, and he is a volunteer, and they are really busy this time of year, and ....

     

    The weird thing was the constant harassing reviewer notes I got suggesting that the cache was actually on state land, or that a cacher would have to cross state land to get to it (which really, why would this be a problem even if it was the case, since lots of cache hunts cross or even finish on state land).

     

    This is not the case in the case of my cache however, it is for certain on my land, and the land is accessible from many sides without trespassing on private property other than mine (which cachers have my permission to do) or even stepping on state land. He also suggested that I was trying to weasel out of the DEC permit process somehow.

     

    Anyway, the cache was eventually approved...but...with a note on it for potential visitors that said:

     

    April 22 by mtn-man (654 found)

    The cache owner has assured me that this cache is on private property and that no state land must be crossed to access the cache. If there are any problems the cache will be archived.

     

    I've visited some other listings for caches on private land, and haven't seen this kind of warning/bad press on any of them...what's the deal?

     

    Can somebody please access a decent mapping program and verify my cache is in fact on my land...or since I am a paying member of gc.com in good standing, give me the benefit of the doubt (god forbid).

     

    I resent the ongoing implication that this cache is not on my land, and that I am involved, through this cache, in some sort of wrong-doing or sneakiness.

     

    I would like the unfriendly note removed from my cache listing when, and if, somebody takes the time to check their facts thoroughly.

     

    I am a newbie to gc.com, and love most of what I have experienced here, but this listing experience has left a bad taste in my mouth.

     

    Thanks to all of the volunteers who work so hard to help make geocaching.com possible. I will continue to use this service even if nothing is done to remedy my current complaint, but would hope that it could be addressed despite whatever grievance mtn man thinks he has with me. I bear him no ill will, I simply want my cache posted the way it should be.

     

    Thanks again,

     

    NFA

  2. Hello,

     

    I just spoke with Tom Martin, the DEC Region 5 head ranger and permitting guru, and the news wasn't good. He told me in no uncertain terms that "No physical Geocaches may be placed on State Forest Preserve Land inside the Adirondack or Catskill Parks".

     

    He added that while his rangers are under orders to take any geocaches they find while out patrolling, they are not looking for them (and he said he knows that there are a couple of hundred in the 2 parks).

     

    I find this depressing, as the language he used left no room for interpretation or wiggling.

     

    It would seem that we need to start higher up the food chain...he said that this came from the state DEC office, so we should maybe look to our elected officials to remedy this problem.

     

    NFA - Jamie

  3. Such a letter should contain the DEC's issues with geocaching and our counters to those issues.

     

    Be careful when mentioning the DEC's issues. The mear mention of such issues, even if they are unfounded, may actually lend credibility to them. Simple explain the what geocaching is, family friendly, environmentally friendly etc... If and when the DEC expresses it's concern/issues we should have examples of caches that have been in place for years, the amount of visitors and proof that the caches had no adverse effects.

    Hi,

     

    After reading your response, I agree with you, we shouldn't open with a defnsive posture, we should simply try to acquaint the reader with the benefits and upsides of geocaching.

     

    Thanks,

     

    NFA - Jamie

  4. A pro active approach is a great one to take, however 50 angry, unprepared cachers calling up there local DEC office (or state park, or whoever) does not make us look like the most organized bunch of people! We do all need to work together.

    Ok...so let's work together...

     

    What should we do...talking about working together is a start, but that seems to be all that's happening here and at the NYGO site...

     

    I would like to do something, what should it be?

     

    I think that getting a clear picture of the NYS DEC policy on geocaching is a good first step...there have been a number of significantly different secondhand assessments of DEC policy on this and the NYGO site, but they cannot all be correct, they differ too much.

     

    Depending on what the actual policy is, then drafting a letter to send to our NYS representatives to suggest an alternative approach (assuming that the DEC is taking an approach that is geocaching unfriendly) would be the next logical step.

     

    Such a letter should contain the DEC's issues with geocaching and our counters to those issues. It should also contain reference to the way that other states have dealt with geocaching and cache placements. It should be a carefully crafter document that geocachers in NY can get behind, and then send en masse to their representatives.

     

    just my thoughts,

     

    NFA - Jamie

  5. Hey now that your done kicking the once sleeping dog at the DEC how about poking the Parks people.  I bet they will come up with a permit that costs $50.

    PLEASE GET OFF YOUR DARN COMPUTER, go out and find a cache!

     

    Gee...have a nice day too... :mad:

     

    When I last spoke to the Region 5 (Raybrook) DEC office, they said that they were not allowing or approving permits for any physical caches inside the park, and that this was their interpretation of the broader DEC policy.

     

    I responded by altering my proposed new caches to virtual caches, whick earned me a spanking from the folks here at geocaching.com for overusing the virtual cache concept...

     

    I would be willing (not happy, but willing) to pay a permit fee to place my caches inside the Adirondack Park, but the DEC does not seem willing to let me...

     

    I would be happy-ish if they do indeed go forward with the $25 fee + insurance idea that somebody has suggested is the new policy, as this gives us a place from which to start a campaign to win their hearts and minds over to geocaching.

     

    I'm not a big fan of the ostrich approach of burying my head in the sand, and hoping that things work out, or that nobody notices me, but I wish Rocky good luck in his efforts.

     

    Interested to find out if there is a DEC-wide policy,

     

    NFA - Jamie

  6. Hello,

     

    I would be more than happy to adopt a cache (or more than one) in Upstate NY State...ideally within 60 miles of Saranac Lake.

     

    A prime example of a cache needing adoption is Sprucy McHedgehog by Team Slacker (GC3F21). The last 5 experienced geocachers to look for the cache have not been able to find it, and there has been no response from Team Slacker. I live a few miles from the cache, and would be more than happy to restore it, and maintain it.

     

    Please get in touch if I can help.

     

    NFA - Jamie

  7. NYGO (http://ny-geocaching.org) is, and has been, working with and developing plans for contacting these agencies, and hopefully getting some good groundwork laid, and reversing these 'unfair' policies. It is a slow process, bugt we are making progress. If you are interested in working with us drop a us a note. Just because there isn't a lot of talk visible over there, don't assume nothing is being done. We will need people from all regions of NY on hand at one point or another. :(

    Hi,

     

    I visited the NYGO forums, and looked around...it looks like the same conversation over there...I would like to help NYGO and/or Geocaching.com with any effort they are making to help educate the NYS DEC about Geocaching, and to help persuade them to change their minds about the ridiculous new policies...please get in touch with me ASAP so that we can get started.

     

    NFA - Jamie

  8. Hello,

     

    I live inside the Blue Line, and am upset about the unfairness of the DEC position on geocaching. Snowmobilers run rampant all over the park, excreting noise and air pollution, not to mention beer cans and Mcdonald's wrappers, with minimal interference from the DEC. Why should geocachers be picked on while snowmobilers have the run of my/our public lands without the unfair restrictions? Geocaching is lower-impact than them, and can bring lots of economic activity into economically challenged areas of the park year around.

     

    I think that we should organize a letter/email campaign to reach out to our senators and congresspeople, telling them that we would like a fair shake on the use of our public lands. I would not propose that geocaching be totally free from oversight, but the DEC's current stand is outrageous. We should be able to get a Temporary Revocable Permit (TRP, a bureaucratic tool of the DEC that already exists) that allows us to place geocaches on a 1-2 year basis, at which time, the state of geocaching on public lands can be reviewed by the DEC, and we could go on from there.

     

    Are there any other New Yorkers interested in starting a campaign like I mention above? Please respond on this forum, and we can get started on the road to changing the DEC's minds about geocaching.

     

    NFA - Jamie

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