Getting a WA State Park Permit...

[+swaninwa]

We talked to a Ranger yesterday about placing a geocache in a WA State Park. I think it will be approved, he was very receptive and likes geocaching, etc. I was pleased at how supportive he was and how the whole meeting went...

 

I've read everything I can find on how to go about placing a cache in one of our State Parks, but one thing I can't seem to find the answer to is --

 

What do I send to geocaching.com when I submit the cache? Is just telling them I have a permit enough? Do they need contact numbers, names, a copy of the permit? Anything?

 

I'd like to get this right the first time, if at all possible, to avoid delays or other problems. Any advice or suggestions are most welcome!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Teri

(swaninwa)

[+Lookout Lisa]

We talked to a Ranger yesterday about placing a geocache in a WA State Park. I think it will be approved, he was very receptive and likes geocaching, etc. I was pleased at how supportive he was and how the whole meeting went...

 

I've read everything I can find on how to go about placing a cache in one of our State Parks, but one thing I can't seem to find the answer to is --

 

What do I send to geocaching.com when I submit the cache? Is just telling them I have a permit enough? Do they need contact numbers, names, a copy of the permit? Anything?

 

I'd like to get this right the first time, if at all possible, to avoid delays or other problems. Any advice or suggestions are most welcome!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Teri

(swaninwa)

Hi Swaninwa!

 

Here are the guidelines for WA State Parks. You can find this information here also. Click on 'Land Use' link at the left, then on 'State' in the top middle. Everything you ever needed to know -and then some!!

 

Guidelines for Cache Placement in State Parks

 

In an effort to promote a working relationship with the Washington State Park Service, please adhere to these guidelines (doc|pdf) for placing a cache in any Washington State Park. This Directive is official as of July 6, 2006. The guidelines are quite reasonable. We would strongly encourage everyone with a cache in a state park to go and get a permit retro actively

 

Before a cache may be placed within a park, the cache owner/ placer should schedule a meeting with the ranger or manager responsible for the park in question. As some park personnel are aware of GEOCACHING, others are not, be prepared to explain our sport/game.

WSGA suggests the following:

 

* Have a brief, yet concise explanation of GEOCACHING.

* Emphasize Cache In / Trash Out as a benefit to the park.

* Do some research of the area to determine where you would like to place a cache container.

* Take photographs of the area in which you would like to place the geocache. Show these to the ranger and offer to accompany him/her to that location.

* Have your cache container prepared and ready to hide, show them the contents to reassure them everything in it is safe.

* If the ranger determines the site you've selected is not acceptable, ask for suggestions for another location.

 

Cache Containers:

 

While many rangers may prefer transparent containers, depending on the park, you might be able to use ammo cans or other similar opaque containers. The following are minimum requirements for containers. Individual parks may have other/ additional requirements.

 

* Containers should be reasonably watertight.

Ammo cans, Lock-N-Lock, or similar plastic storage boxes are acceptable.

Gladware, Ziplok, and other similar disposable containers are not to be used in the parks.

* Plastic containers should be transparent, and be clearly marked with a GEOCACHING label.

* Ammo cans should be in good condition and repainted black, dark gray, or brown and be clearly marked with a GEOCACHING label.

* WSGA members should place a WSGA member label on caches, when labels become available.

* Contact information should be on the outside of every container, especially ammo cans. (Required for WSGA members)

* Contact information should include:

User Name

Contact Phone # (where you can be reached)

 

There should also be a GEOCACHE letter which has the cache name, waypoint #, and coordinates on it. WSGA also recommends that a business card or a 2" X 4" label with the contact information be securely attached to the inside of the container with clear package tape, double sided tape, or spray adhesive.

Placement of Caches:

 

* The geocache may be placed on Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission managed property only by written permission from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

* The following items shall not be placed in the geocache: Food items; illegal substances; medications; personal hygiene products, pornographic materials; inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials or weapons of any type. Log books are required for each cache and are to be provided by the owner of the cache.

* It is the visitor’s responsibility to orient themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.

* Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.

 

* DO NOT BURY CACHES!

* Avoid dangerous areas, such as cliffs, areas prone to rock slides, along the banks of swift flowing rivers, etc.

* Cache sites should be accessible from existing trails, and no more than 10 feet from the trail, unless specifically approved by a park ranger. (No bushwhacking to get to a cache.)

* Caches should be covered in such a way to make them unnoticeable to non-cachers.

* Hollow logs and tree stumps are acceptable with ranger approval.

* Geocaches must be re-approved annually by the park staff. It may be prudent to change the location of a geocache every twelve months if a social trail is beginning to form.

* Please observe park hours, nighttime cache hunts are not recommended (permitted) in state parks.

 

Park personnel have the final say about all caches within the boundaries of the parks they serve. Please remember that the park rangers are on duty to protect the lands and the various user groups within the parks. If they take actions you feel are not appropriate, do not argue with them. Bring your concerns to the WSGA Advocacy Committee and let us work out any problems.

 

The following notice is required on all geocaches placed within Washington State Parks.

 

1. The geocache may be placed on Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission managed property only by written permission from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

2. The following items shall not be placed in the geocache: Food items; illegal substances; medications; personal hygiene products, pornographic materials; inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials or weapons of any type. Log books are required for each cache and are to be provided by the owner of the cache.

3. It is the visitor’s responsibility to orient themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.

4. Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.

 

Copy the text below and paste it exactly as it appears into your own html.

 

<!--- Begin State Park sanction --->

 

<table>

<tr>

<td>

<img src="http://www.geocachingwa.org/images/stateparklogo.jpg" align="left">

</td>

<td>

<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#005200">

<ol>

<li>The geocache may be placed on Washington State Parks and Recreation

Commission managed property only by written permission from the

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

<li>The following items shall not be placed in the geocache:

Food items; illegal substances; medications; personal hygiene

products, pornographic materials; inappropriate, offensive, or

hazardous materials or weapons of any type.

Log books are required for each cache and are to be provided

by the owner of the cache.

<li>It is the visitor’s responsibility to orient themselves with

policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.

<li>Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.

</ol>

</td>

</tr></td>

</table>

 

<!--- End State Park sanction --->

 

Cheers!

[+swaninwa]

Hi Lookout Lisa--

 

Thanks, I've read all that, and we're following the guidelines--

 

BUT, unless I'm missing something this does not tell me what geocaching.com needs from me as far as proof of permission when I submit the cache for approval...

 

That's what I'm looking for that I can't seem to find the answer to...

Edited October 13, 2007 by swaninwa

[Team Misguided]

Hi Lookout Lisa--

 

Thanks, I've read all that, and we're following the guidelines--

 

BUT, unless I'm missing something this does not tell me what geocaching.com needs from me as far as proof of permission when I submit the cache for approval...

 

That's what I'm looking for that I can't seem to find the answer to...

 

When you submit your cache page make sure that you have included the section of .html that Lookout Lisa posted above. That puts the State Park required information into a nice format including the State Parks logo. I ask that you put the name and contact information of the park ranger that you worked with to get your permit into a reviewer note.

 

Generally there is no need to forward a copy of the signed permit to us, as long as we have a way to verify the permit (by having the contact info for the park ranger) then we can proceed with the cache review.

[+swaninwa]

AWESOME! That's what I needed to know. Thanks TeamMisguided for clearing things up for me, and thanks Lookout Lisa for posting the HTML. I should know in a few days. The people at the park seem to be really cooperative. A volunteer was nice enough to call us and let us know that the ranger was out sick today, and would call us when he returned to work. I imagine we'll have our answer early next week, and I already have his business card with all of his contact information, so once we get the go ahead we'll proceed from there. I think we've covered all the bases....THANKS AGAIN to the both of you!!!!