Another Geocaching Ban

[+ATXTracker]

A large amount of caches have been archived, and geocaching has been banned from a big chuck of public lands in North Carolina as the result of a badly placed ammo can which worried local law enforcement.

 

It is not final yet, they are taking comments at: comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us

 

Here is a link: http://www.ncgeocachers.org/forum/phpBB3/v...117&start=0

 

or see cache: GC145MP archive log for the link.

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

Judging from this post by the person most actively working on a solutiuon...

 

I had a long phone chat with the Planning Manager for the NFS with regard to

caches within Wildernesses, Experimental Forests or Wild and Scenic River

corridors and, as we guessed, they want them removed ("in the near future"... I

took this as within the next couple of week) and a case-by-case basis for future

cache placement will be set up. A recent incident with a large unmarked ammo box

set this in motion and feel that they have a case, as also argued by some

cachers in the WNC Caching groups, for protecting these areas. I'll pass this info on to

NCReviewer. We will have their Geocaching regulations in hand very soon and will

add it to the NCGO site when we do. Comments from the public are still welcomed

on this issue.

 

In contrast, and after a lot of talking, they are very keen to promote

Geocaching as an activity for their **other properties** (Pisgah etc) and are

wanting to work with NCGO to add it to their listed facilities. If we work well

with them, I think they will be open to controlled placements in even their

sensitive areas if we so wish.

 

Your OP seems a bit alarmist, but not unusual for these forums. Soesen't this post say that they are well on the way to work out something mutually benefitial??

[+DragonsWest]

It's worth reviewing the BLM standing on placing caches in Fort Ord, California, once a haven of caching, now with only a scant few and some considerable effort for caches to go through for approved placements.

 

The intent here is to show they may be in favor of some limited, controlled cache placements, but that "limited" and "controlled" could prove a higher hurdle than many wish to bother with.

 

Dear Treasure Cacher:

 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) welcomes “treasure cachers” to the Fort

Ord Public Lands and we hope that enjoy your visit to this ecologically

unique and diverse area. At Fort Ord, the BLM is carefully managing this

activity to ensure that your visit is safe and enjoyable, and that the

sensitive natural, cultural, and historic resources are protected for

current and future generations. The cache you are searching for has likely

been posted on one of the many “treasure cache” related websites such as

geocaching.com, letterboxing.org, atlasquest.com, etc. When looking for

this cache, we ask that you take note of our public use restrictions on the

land that include:

 

· Please use only trails that are signed open and shown on our Fort Ord

Public Lands Trail Maps. Cross-country travel, use of unsigned trails and

bushwhacking is not allowed.

· Please limit your cache searches to daylight hours. The BLM lands

are closed from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.

· Enjoy your cache hunting on foot, hoof or bicycle wheel because

vehicle use (including motorcycles, ATV’s and four-wheel drives) are not

allowed on the BLM road and trail systems.

· When considering a treasure to leave, please remember that this is a

family-friendly sport and never leave anything pornographic, offensive, or

flammable. Please never leave food items.

 

Caches that have been approved by the BLM will never be more than 20 feet

from one our designated trails or roads, so save the effort looking far off

trail. Also, be sure to avoid tampering with anything that is not within a

clear container because there is still a chance that dangerous military

artifacts may be in the area. Always obey signs that indicate closed areas

that include habitat restoration sites and dangerous munitions sites. And

remember, the lands you visit are home to several species of rare and

endangered plants and animals, so please tread lightly and respect the

natural environment.

 

If you have any questions about your visit to this area, feel free to

contact the BLM at (831)394-8314 or (831)630-5000.

 

Please note, a member of a local caching org checked into this and finds many strings attached, including possible cost ($) of placement and approval period for one year, subject to renewal review, etc.

Edited March 1, 2010 by DragonsWest

[+edscott]

Sounds like it is being worked out. Probably best if the pot doesn't get stirred by any of us that don't know all the facts.

[+Snoogans]

Looks like a knee jerk reaction and Rob @ NCGEO has addressed it well initially.

 

My torch and pitchfork will stay in the shed for now.

 

TOO BAD THERE'S NO REAL DATA ON GeoTourism TO THROW IN THEIR FACE TOO....

[+Destitute]

The way it looked to me was that they archived caches in the wilderness areas. The NC forestry service is especially protective of them. I don't have a problem with that.

One of my favorite caches was archived in Shining Rock Wilderness of the Pisgah National Forest, but there are still several caches near the trailhead that are not in the wilderness area.

 

I'm sure there were more caches eliminated that I didn't notice.

[+FreeBird65]

Did the process of gaining permission for the cache fail?