WA State Parks Revises Geocaching Directive

[+hydnsek]

I'm thrilled to announce that, based on discussions with WSGA, Washington State Parks (WSPRC) has revised its Geocaching Directive to make it easier for geocachers to place and maintain caches in state parks. Woo hoo!

 

• WSPRC Geocaching Directive, revised 12/2012 (with caching permit)
  
• Cache Placement Permit (only)
  
• Memo to Director Hoch recommending adoption of the revised Directive
  

The changes are substantial - they adopted everything we requested! - but the key ones to know:

 

• WSGA is identified in the Directive as the organization representing geocachers in Washington State.
  
• Permits are now approved primarily by park managers, who will coordinate the stewardship review in a timely fashion. An entire layer of approval has been eliminated (sending them to regional managers for sign-off, which is where they usually got stuck).
  
• Permits no longer have to be renewed annually. They can have unspecified end dates, unless the park manager says otherwise.
  
• You are no longer required to physically check on your caches every 90 days. "Adequate oversight and maintenance" can be handled via monitoring of online logs, with visits only as needed to keep the cache in good condition.
  
• If a cache has issues and/or must be removed and the owner is not responsive, WSGA will be notified and given a chance to handle the situation before the cache is disposed of.
  
• Cache owners are no longer automatically liable for restoration costs associated with adverse impacts from a geocache placement.
  

WSPRC did add a new clause of their own: All existing caches in state parks will be required to comply with the Directive. There are several older caches that still don't have permits or the required State Park language on their pages; their owners now must bring them into compliance or they will be removed. WSGA will be working with the parks, cache owners, and Groundspeak to take care of this in the next couple months.

 

Go here for more details and well-deserved kudos to those who made it happen.

 

As most of you know, WSGA was founded 10 years ago to represent geocachers at a time when WA State Parks wanted to ban caching. What a fitting conclusion to our 10th anniversary year to have completed the club's original goal!

Edited January 13, 2013 by hydnsek

[+Sol seaker]

Thanks so much!!! To all who were involved with this project, thank you!!!

 

You've done a great service to WA State cachers, both old time cachers, and new cachers, including many younger cachers who have never been to these State Parks!

 

We've got some of the most beautiful State Parks anywhere. It's great more people will be gaining incentive to get out and see them!

 

Thanks!!!

[+hydnsek]

bump. Some folks were asking about this, and it had fallen off the first page.