Ca Parks dept may set geocaching guidlines

[+JohnnyVegas]

I got this e-mail through a local geocaching thread

 

 

California State Parks is aware of the rising popularity of geocaching. Therefore, we are excited about the increased use of our public facilities but concerned with potential impacts of natural and cultural resources in relation to geocaching. There have been several instances of geocaches being placed on historical artifacts or located within wilderness areas. California State Parks has developed a team consisting of various stakeholders within the State Park System to address these issues in order to recommend solutions. Team members include representatives from Natural Resources, Concessions, Public Safety, Cultural Resources, Park Operations, Recreation and Planning just to name a few. I work for the Statewide Planning Unit and am the only active geocacher on the team (526 finds).

 

 

California State Parks, in general, views geocaching as a positive activity but realizes that there needs to be some guidelines. As geocaching becomes more popular the impact to the State's resources increases. We on the team feel that it is better to identify and address the issues related to geocaching sooner rather than later. We also feel that whatever the team recommends, education will play a key role.

[+Let's Look Over Thayer]

I got this e-mail through a local geocaching thread

 

California State Parks is aware of the rising popularity of geocaching. Therefore, we are excited about the increased use of our public facilities but concerned with potential impacts of natural and cultural resources in relation to geocaching. There have been several instances of geocaches being placed on historical artifacts or located within wilderness areas. California State Parks has developed a team consisting of various stakeholders within the State Park System to address these issues in order to recommend solutions. Team members include representatives from Natural Resources, Concessions, Public Safety, Cultural Resources, Park Operations, Recreation and Planning just to name a few. I work for the Statewide Planning Unit and am the only active geocacher on the team (526 finds).

 

California State Parks, in general, views geocaching as a positive activity but realizes that there needs to be some guidelines. As geocaching becomes more popular the impact to the State's resources increases. We on the team feel that it is better to identify and address the issues related to geocaching sooner rather than later. We also feel that whatever the team recommends, education will play a key role.

Is there a contact address and/or place to submit recommendations and comments?

[+Renegade Knight]

I'd suggest they follow the BLMs lead. The BLM has no specific permiting process and views geocaching as a casual recreational use of their lands. They monitor caches and if one is placed in a sensative spot they will work directly with the cache owner to have it removed.

 

Cultural Resources are often preseved in place and not advertised to protect their locations. Thus caches can be place on them without anyone knowing. Some of these locations rally won't be sensative to a cache and some may be. But the only way to keep the secracy of the location is to monitor caches like the BLM.

 

Historical location need no special rules since vandalism and anything they are concerned about area lready against both the law and geocaching. However keeping caches 50' away from any historical structures would not be a bad idea due to the doofie factor.

 

Traditional cultural locations tend not to apply to state lands unless there is federal money involved...No sure about this angle. Our local tribe happens to clamin the entire USA as a traditional cultural place...

 

Sensative locatoins for flora and fauna are probably already marked and cachers need do nothing more than follow existing park rules.

 

That really only leaves monitoring of caches so they can be removed or moved if there is an impact. Park staff should already be monitoring their parks and noticing any undue wear and tear. It would be fairly simple to check for a cache if something looks odd. Manage by exception rather than proactivly create a lot of work for staff.

[+Hula Bum]

Education is great, I would just caution about anything to official. Case by case is much better or things can turn into a nightmarish permit only kinda process.