Ocotillo Wells Off Road Area

[+SKILLET]

Ocotillo Wells District

 

Geocaching Policy

 

 

Purpose:

 

The purpose of the Ocotillo Wells District Geocaching Policy is to successfully manage the popular activity of geocaching within the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, Heber Dunes SVRA, and the area known as the Freeman Acquisition. The term Geocaching will be used generally to represent not only Geocaching, but related similar activities such as Letter Boxing, Bench Marking, etc.

 

 

 

Goal:

 

The goal of this policy is to provide guidance for the public taking part in Geocaching so that the activity can continue in a safe manner while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources that are within the Ocotillo Wells District, as well as maintaining public safety. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes the popularity of this activity as well as the opportunity it offers for high quality recreation for individuals, groups, and families. Additionally, Ocotillo Wells District hopes that all participants in this hobby practice the "Cache In Trash Out" (CITO) policy described on the Geocache Website.

 

 

 

Authority:

 

California State Parks Division of Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation is responsible for managing all activities within the Off Highway Vehicle Parks within the California State Park System. Ocotillo Wells District retains all rights and authority to authorize and manage the activity of Geocaching within its boundaries. If the District Superintendent or Designee determines that a cache was placed in violation of this policy the District Superintendent or Designee retain the right to remove the cache. If a cache is removed, the Ocotillo Wells District will attempt to contact the cache owner and return the cache. If the owner cannot be contacted the Ocotillo Wells District will handle the cache as lost property as described in the DPR Lost and Found Policy.

 

 

 

Cache Placement:

 

Use environmentally friendly behavior when placing and/or seeking a cache. This would include, but not limited to, not causing damage to natural or geologic features, not bothering wildlife, staying on trails, not collecting naturally occurring items, or any other activity that could damage any natural resource. Please leave the area the same or better than it was when you arrived.

 

Use all due caution when placing a cache. Caches should not be placed in areas that would place a person in any danger. Some examples of a dangerous spot would be inside mud caves, on top of ledges, at the base of overhanging cliffs, etc.

 

Placement of the cache shall not require any change to the natural environment such as digging. The person hiding a cache may use nearby items, such as rocks, to aid in concealing the cache, if the items are loose on the ground.

 

Caches should not be placed within washes that will likely lead to the cache being swept away during flash floods. The flash floods that occur in this area take large amounts of water down stream into the sensitive San Sebastian Marsh. If a cache is placed within a wash, care should be taken so that it will not become dislodge and become merely litter.

 

Caches shall not be placed near or cause any travel near natural or historically sensitive areas.

 

Marks shall not be placed on any natural features to aid in the locating of a cache.

 

Caches shall not be placed within any State Park Structure or Facility.

 

Caches shall not be attached to any historic or archaeological or geologic feature.

 

 

Cache Containers:

 

Containers shall be of a sturdy nature that can withstand the desert environment. Hardened plastic is not recommended as the desert environment can quickly destroy plastic and then the container itself and its contents become merely litter.

 

Containers shall have the ability to be secured in a fashion that would not allow any wildlife to gain access to the contents of the cache.

 

Containers should be moderate in size. Containers shall not be larger that 8" X 12" X 4" in size.

 

Containers shall be marked 'Geocache' and the name of the cache as it appears on the Geocaching website.

 

 

Cache Contents:

 

Contents shall be of a family friendly nature, appropriate for all ages, and not be offensive.

 

Contents shall not be perishable, such as food, etc.

 

The cache should contain a log book for finders of the cache to log their visit.

 

 

 

 

Ocotillo Wells District is an advocate of responsible outdoor recreation and recognizes the enjoyment, fun, and recreation associated with Geocaching. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes that, in most cases, Geocaching is consistent with California State Parks Mission. Ocotillo Wells District retains the right to remove a cache that it feels is in an inappropriate location, is causing undue impact on the park resources, or for any reason is deemed inconsistent with the mission and/or statutes of the California State Park System.

 

 

Now These are some REGS we can live with.

 

Hello ABDSP are you listening

Edited August 25, 2008 by SKILLET

[+Toby's Gang]

Ocotillo Wells District

 

Geocaching Policy

 

 

Purpose:

 

The purpose of the Ocotillo Wells District Geocaching Policy is to successfully manage the popular activity of geocaching within the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, Heber Dunes SVRA, and the area known as the Freeman Acquisition. The term Geocaching will be used generally to represent not only Geocaching, but related similar activities such as Letter Boxing, Bench Marking, etc.

 

 

 

Goal:

 

The goal of this policy is to provide guidance for the public taking part in Geocaching so that the activity can continue in a safe manner while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources that are within the Ocotillo Wells District, as well as maintaining public safety. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes the popularity of this activity as well as the opportunity it offers for high quality recreation for individuals, groups, and families. Additionally, Ocotillo Wells District hopes that all participants in this hobby practice the "Cache In Trash Out" (CITO) policy described on the Geocache Website.

 

 

 

Authority:

 

California State Parks Division of Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation is responsible for managing all activities within the Off Highway Vehicle Parks within the California State Park System. Ocotillo Wells District retains all rights and authority to authorize and manage the activity of Geocaching within its boundaries. If the District Superintendent or Designee determines that a cache was placed in violation of this policy the District Superintendent or Designee retain the right to remove the cache. If a cache is removed, the Ocotillo Wells District will attempt to contact the cache owner and return the cache. If the owner cannot be contacted the Ocotillo Wells District will handle the cache as lost property as described in the DPR Lost and Found Policy.

 

 

 

Cache Placement:

 

Use environmentally friendly behavior when placing and/or seeking a cache. This would include, but not limited to, not causing damage to natural or geologic features, not bothering wildlife, staying on trails, not collecting naturally occurring items, or any other activity that could damage any natural resource. Please leave the area the same or better than it was when you arrived.

 

Use all due caution when placing a cache. Caches should not be placed in areas that would place a person in any danger. Some examples of a dangerous spot would be inside mud caves, on top of ledges, at the base of overhanging cliffs, etc.

 

Placement of the cache shall not require any change to the natural environment such as digging. The person hiding a cache may use nearby items, such as rocks, to aid in concealing the cache, if the items are loose on the ground.

 

Caches should not be placed within washes that will likely lead to the cache being swept away during flash floods. The flash floods that occur in this area take large amounts of water down stream into the sensitive San Sebastian Marsh. If a cache is placed within a wash, care should be taken so that it will not become dislodge and become merely litter.

 

Caches shall not be placed near or cause any travel near natural or historically sensitive areas.

 

Marks shall not be placed on any natural features to aid in the locating of a cache.

 

Caches shall not be placed within any State Park Structure or Facility.

 

Caches shall not be attached to any historic or archaeological or geologic feature.

 

 

Cache Containers:

 

Containers shall be of a sturdy nature that can withstand the desert environment. Hardened plastic is not recommended as the desert environment can quickly destroy plastic and then the container itself and its contents become merely litter.

 

Containers shall have the ability to be secured in a fashion that would not allow any wildlife to gain access to the contents of the cache.

 

Containers should be moderate in size. Containers shall not be larger that 8" X 12" X 4" in size.

 

Containers shall be marked 'Geocache' and the name of the cache as it appears on the Geocaching website.

 

 

Cache Contents:

 

Contents shall be of a family friendly nature, appropriate for all ages, and not be offensive.

 

Contents shall not be perishable, such as food, etc.

 

The cache should contain a log book for finders of the cache to log their visit.

 

 

 

 

Ocotillo Wells District is an advocate of responsible outdoor recreation and recognizes the enjoyment, fun, and recreation associated with Geocaching. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes that, in most cases, Geocaching is consistent with California State Parks Mission. Ocotillo Wells District retains the right to remove a cache that it feels is in an inappropriate location, is causing undue impact on the park resources, or for any reason is deemed inconsistent with the mission and/or statutes of the California State Park System.

 

 

Now These are some REGS we can live with.

 

Hello ABDSP are you listening

 

 

Wow. This sounds entirely reasonable to me. I wonder why this is so hard for other organizations to grasp.

[+"lostguy"]

Ocotillo Wells District

 

Geocaching Policy

 

 

Purpose:

 

The purpose of the Ocotillo Wells District Geocaching Policy is to successfully manage the popular activity of geocaching within the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, Heber Dunes SVRA, and the area known as the Freeman Acquisition. The term Geocaching will be used generally to represent not only Geocaching, but related similar activities such as Letter Boxing, Bench Marking, etc.

 

 

 

Goal:

 

The goal of this policy is to provide guidance for the public taking part in Geocaching so that the activity can continue in a safe manner while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources that are within the Ocotillo Wells District, as well as maintaining public safety. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes the popularity of this activity as well as the opportunity it offers for high quality recreation for individuals, groups, and families. Additionally, Ocotillo Wells District hopes that all participants in this hobby practice the "Cache In Trash Out" (CITO) policy described on the Geocache Website.

 

 

 

Authority:

 

California State Parks Division of Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation is responsible for managing all activities within the Off Highway Vehicle Parks within the California State Park System. Ocotillo Wells District retains all rights and authority to authorize and manage the activity of Geocaching within its boundaries. If the District Superintendent or Designee determines that a cache was placed in violation of this policy the District Superintendent or Designee retain the right to remove the cache. If a cache is removed, the Ocotillo Wells District will attempt to contact the cache owner and return the cache. If the owner cannot be contacted the Ocotillo Wells District will handle the cache as lost property as described in the DPR Lost and Found Policy.

 

 

 

Cache Placement:

 

Use environmentally friendly behavior when placing and/or seeking a cache. This would include, but not limited to, not causing damage to natural or geologic features, not bothering wildlife, staying on trails, not collecting naturally occurring items, or any other activity that could damage any natural resource. Please leave the area the same or better than it was when you arrived.

 

Use all due caution when placing a cache. Caches should not be placed in areas that would place a person in any danger. Some examples of a dangerous spot would be inside mud caves, on top of ledges, at the base of overhanging cliffs, etc.

 

Placement of the cache shall not require any change to the natural environment such as digging. The person hiding a cache may use nearby items, such as rocks, to aid in concealing the cache, if the items are loose on the ground.

 

Caches should not be placed within washes that will likely lead to the cache being swept away during flash floods. The flash floods that occur in this area take large amounts of water down stream into the sensitive San Sebastian Marsh. If a cache is placed within a wash, care should be taken so that it will not become dislodge and become merely litter.

 

Caches shall not be placed near or cause any travel near natural or historically sensitive areas.

 

Marks shall not be placed on any natural features to aid in the locating of a cache.

 

Caches shall not be placed within any State Park Structure or Facility.

 

Caches shall not be attached to any historic or archaeological or geologic feature.

 

 

Cache Containers:

 

Containers shall be of a sturdy nature that can withstand the desert environment. Hardened plastic is not recommended as the desert environment can quickly destroy plastic and then the container itself and its contents become merely litter.

 

Containers shall have the ability to be secured in a fashion that would not allow any wildlife to gain access to the contents of the cache.

 

Containers should be moderate in size. Containers shall not be larger that 8" X 12" X 4" in size.

 

Containers shall be marked 'Geocache' and the name of the cache as it appears on the Geocaching website.

 

 

Cache Contents:

 

Contents shall be of a family friendly nature, appropriate for all ages, and not be offensive.

 

Contents shall not be perishable, such as food, etc.

 

The cache should contain a log book for finders of the cache to log their visit.

 

 

 

 

Ocotillo Wells District is an advocate of responsible outdoor recreation and recognizes the enjoyment, fun, and recreation associated with Geocaching. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes that, in most cases, Geocaching is consistent with California State Parks Mission. Ocotillo Wells District retains the right to remove a cache that it feels is in an inappropriate location, is causing undue impact on the park resources, or for any reason is deemed inconsistent with the mission and/or statutes of the California State Park System.

 

 

Now These are some REGS we can live with.

 

Hello ABDSP are you listening

 

 

Wow. This sounds entirely reasonable to me. I wonder why this is so hard for other organizations to grasp.

Perhaps this should be forwarded to that Mark Jorgensen fellow at ABDSP so that he may somehow become enlightened by others that are actually friendly and receptive to ideas that are not their own. It's just amazing that places so close can have such different ideas about geocaching. Octillo Wells is the bomb.

[+The Fossillady]

I love Ocotillo Wells and sure glad there are folks out there that enjoy the game.

[+karstic]

Do you have a link to this that is someplace official?

[+SKILLET]

Do you have a link to this that is someplace official?

 

I sent an E-mail to the head ranger that I got the requirements from to find out.

[+karstic]

Do you have a link to this that is someplace official?

 

I sent an E-mail to the head ranger that I got the requirements from to find out.

 

Any response?

[+SKILLET]

Do you have a link to this that is someplace official?

 

I sent an E-mail to the head ranger that I got the requirements from to find out.

 

Any response?

 

Not yet. I'm going out in a couple of weeks and Will stop by the Ranger Station and meet him and have a talk. I always believe a face to face talk is better then E-mails.

[+SKILLET]

Do you have a link to this that is someplace official?

 

I sent an E-mail to the head ranger that I got the requirements from to find out.

 

Any response?

 

Not yet. I'm going out in a couple of weeks and Will stop by the Ranger Station and meet him and have a talk. I always believe a face to face talk is better then E-mails.

 

 

Got an E-mail from the Ranger and he said they will be posted soon.

 

As soon as they are posted I will add a link.

[+SKILLET]

OK here is the link

 

 

GEOCACHING POLICY

 

 

 

[+Toby's Gang]

OK here is the link

 

 

GEOCACHING POLICY

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting it. Maybe ABDSP will see the part about CITO and realize the benefit of Geocaching.