Pennsylvania State Park Caches - Permission Contact Info

4.1k · July 26, 2002

I got this today from Charlie Meade:

quote:
Dear Jenn,

After meeting with our Office of Counsel regarding this matter, the following change was made to the draft geocaching guidelines.

Geocaching is not considered an inherently dangerous or hazardous activity. The indemnity clause contained in the Geocaching form is a standard clause in agreements that are considered to be potentially hazardous. An example of such activity would include the use of a rifle range on state forest property.

Therefore, we have decided to remove #6 on the Geocache Permission Form, which reads:

6. RESPONSIBLE PARTY agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless DEPARTMENT and its agents from any claim for injury to any person or damage to any property sustained as a result of the placement or existence of the geocache or as a result of the use of the geocache by any other person with any device or for any purpose.

We anticipate that the geocache policy will become final within the next week or two. A method of distributing this information is being discussed, including the possibility of placing these documents on our web site. I will send you the final documents via email when they become available.

Charlie

July 26, 2002

Yiha!! Congrats PA!! Good Job Jenn and all

July 26, 2002

Thx all!! One down with a good step forward!

From what I learned yesterday, we are not the only ones targeted for this kind of action.

Bikers, hikers, etc will be hit also.

We just happen to be the first ones.

I'd like to know how they intend to enforce all of these changes with only a handful of rangers?

9.1k · July 26, 2002

This is a great accomplishment! Thanks, Miss Jenn and all others who wrote letters to achieve the change in the proposed form.

As stated by several of us, the State's form is FINE to sign, without the indemnity clause. If anyone disagrees with that, or wants a plain-English translation of what any of the other paragraphs are trying to say in legalese, please post here or e-mail me through the site.

I would now suggest that we do the following:

1. Get signed agreements for all existing caches in State parks which previously did not have permission.

2. Follow the process for all new caches, AND get to know your local park's ranger/manager to work on cache placement and selling them on our sport/hobby.

3. Show that we are good citizens by: (a) following cache-in, trash-out. ( following the terms of the agreement by performing responsible cache maintenance, avoiding damage to natural setting, etc. © encourage others to place and maintain caches ONLY in compliance with the rules.

Separately, I am in the middle of putting together a master posting that contains links to every discussion forum where the issue of permission from state and local officials has been discussed. Don't ya think that would be useful? I'm going to argue that it should have its own forum category so that people in every state don't have to re-invent the wheel, and we can demonstrate to different park administrators how some of their counterparts in other locations have dealt with geocaching.

Well, now I'm so happy, I will be thinking about placing a LEGAL cache in a state park!

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Daddy, are we there yet? No, .17 to go. Are we there yet? No, .16 to go....."

4.1k · July 26, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by The Leprechauns:
I would now suggest that we do the following:

yep - the fat lady did not sing yet.

They are doing their part; we must follow through and do our part.

July 26, 2002

We have another bad topic going on at Caching in Union County, NJ Parks

July 26, 2002

It's not over yet! We have only just begun! We have to wait and see how they are going to implement and enforce the new policy. I have a sense that they don't really know what they are doing yet. We need to cooperate and work with them to get a policy that is fair and practical. I have sent the following letter to Mr. Meade toward that end:

Dear Mr. Meade,

Thank you for removing the offending paragraph #6 from the “Geocache Identification Form”. It is acceptable to this geocacher in its present form but I remain concerned that it is too complicated, contains too much legalese, and has provisions that cannot be enforced by the department or cache owners. It will discourage the hiding of geocaches in our state parks. That would be a shame. I am offering my own version of the “Geocache Identification Form” which has been reviewed by other geocachers on our discussion boards. This form is much easier for geocachers to understand and live with. I also think that it is more flexible. The department can make changes to the policy without changing the form. I have included this form as a Microsoft Word Document in an attachment to this email Please feel free to use it, modify it, abuse it, or throw it in the trash. I am just trying to be constructive rather than just being critical. Please allow us the opportunity to review the final draft of your geocaching policy and registration form.

I am also concerned about how this policy is going to be enforced. There are, as you know, many geocaches already hidden in Pennsylvania State Parks. I hope that you will offer an opportunity for the owners of these caches to properly register them with the state. I also want to make you aware that there is going to be a continuing problem with unauthorized geocaches being hidden in the state parks. There is no mechanism on geocaching.com or any other geocaching website to automatically make geocachers aware of regulations pertaining to any specific cache that they hide or seek. It would not be practical for them to implement such a system. It is unfortunate that all cache owners do not seek out the park managers to ask permission before they hide a cache but you should expect that this will continue to be the case. Some will hide geocaches without being aware of the regulations. Park managers will have to be vigilant and watch the website to see if there are any unauthorized geocaches in their park. I would hope that park managers will be reasonable and offer an opportunity for these persons to properly register their cache after the fact and give them a stern lecture about asking permission first. The geocaching community may be of some help in getting persons with unauthorized caches in state parks to register them but you cannot count on that since we are not a real organization with any power to sanction someone who does not play by the rules. The most that we could do is try to make everyone aware of the rules, encourage them to cooperate, and report them and their cache to the authorities. I’m not sure that I or other geocachers would be comfortable in the role of tattle-tale if you would cite them for littering but I think that you will find that the majority of us are committed to keeping geocaching safe, legal, and fun on our public lands. Thank you for your continued attention to this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(aka Quest Master)

Johnny

July 26, 2002

I just read my email from Mr. Meaded and was pumped. Came right over to share it and found that everyone already knew. This is great, I couldn't be happier. We are fortunate that Mr. Meade and the State Parks were willing to listen to us and I want to thank everyone who participated as well. I would have hated to move my cache on Presque Isle.

"...Not all those who wander are lost..."

[This message was edited by mikechim on July 26, 2002 at 10:36 PM.]

9.1k · July 26, 2002

Thanks for the follow-up. As I posted earlier, I much prefer your "plain English" form. I'd be happy with either, but maybe that's just 'cause I understand the legalese.

Your points about enforcement were excellent. Everyone who reads this should consider politely contacting caching buddies who may have an existing cache in a state park. I wouldn't mind receiving such a private e-mail... what I would NOT like is a note from a stranger who sounds like the Geocache Police. Remember, not everyone reads these forums so it's important to spread the word. I put a line about it in my profile!

One of the reasons I'm so pleased with the developments in this thread is that it is such a team effort... people from all over the state, with slightly different points of view but we all agree on a common goal. Several threads in other regions have degenerated into "flame wars" and nothing positive ever resulted. In PA, we all contributed in a positive way.

Note that this thread has set the record for the most-read discussion in the Northeast forums. I hope that people elsewhere are among the 1000+ readers, and can benefit from this example.

If you guys keep writing letters like you have been, there will never be a chance for me to send one of my "lawyer letters." And the world would be a better place....

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Daddy, are we there yet? No, .17 to go. Are we there yet? No, .16 to go....."

July 26, 2002

Perhaps we should include a note on cache pages for the caches in the State Parks, pointing out the necessity of getting a permit. That way every person who hunts the current caches in State Parks and are considering adding one in the area would be aware that the permit is required and is fairly easy to get. The "Permit Required" note would reach all the new and experienced players that may not be aware of the new rules.

July 26, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by The Leprechauns:

One of the reasons I'm so pleased with the developments in this thread is that it is such a team effort... people from all over the state, with slightly different points of view but we all agree on a common goal. Several threads in other regions have degenerated into "flame wars" and nothing positive ever resulted. In PA, we all contributed in a positive way.

They don't call us the "Keystone State" for nothing

Hopefully, this can set an example for other State Park systems to follow. I continue to be amazed at the integredity of the people involved in this passion of ours...especially my fellow Pennsylvanian's. Keep up the diligence!

Smoochnme

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

[This message was edited by smoochnme on July 26, 2002 at 09:21 PM.]

July 26, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by The Leprechauns:

One of the reasons I'm so pleased with the developments in this thread is that it is such a team effort... people from all over the state, with slightly different points of view but we all agree on a common goal. Several threads in other regions have degenerated into "flame wars" and nothing positive ever resulted. In PA, we all contributed in a positive way.

They don't call us the "Keystone State" for nothing

Hopefully, this can set an example for other State Park systems to follow. I continue to be amazed at the integredity of the people involved in this passion of ours...especially my fellow Pennsylvanian's. Keep up the diligence!

Smoochnme

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

[This message was edited by smoochnme on July 26, 2002 at 09:21 PM.]

4.1k · July 28, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by The Leprechauns:
it is such a team effort... people from all over the state, with slightly different points of view but we all agree on a common goal.

Seriously, this has been a most productive thread - and a most productive exchange of ideas beyond these forums. I like it!

Great idea to attach the sample non-legalese Word file!

Good idea about posting a note in one's profile!

Good idea, too, about posting a note within the cache pages that eventually do get the permission.

July 28, 2002

i've been watching this thread to see how things go in nearby PA (I live in Cleveland, and have done some caching in PA) IT's great to see what gets done when we get talking. But the reason i finally popped up a post is with the posting about permission on the cache page. Since Cleveland Metroparks (my local parks) is on board with geocaching (having placed 6 of their own), what they've been doing is posting a note stating that each individual cache has been approved by the metroparks. Of course this may not work in this case (i doubt PA State Parks has a geocaching ID, and the whole state is a lot larger than just one county), but I wanted to let you know that there are precedents out there (Not sure what Ohio state parks will do, but i know that they also have a permit system (but I haven't seen the legalese))

Cache well.. :

"You will kneel before her in her altar in the trees" - Tara MacLean, Let Her Feel The Rain

July 30, 2002

1st I wish to thank all of you for the tremendous amount of time and goodwill you've expended on behalf of this activity.

2ndly it might be fruitful to look at how Maryland is handling this same issue (copy of a recent posting attached):

>>>Geocaching Home » Groundspeak Forums » Northeast » MD Patapsco State Park Guidelines

Author Topic: MD Patapsco State Park Guidelines

birdsfan & birdsfan2

Geocacher posted July 29, 2002 04:03 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After working with the Patapsco State Park officials in MD, I (on behalf of The Maryland Geocaching Society) have negotiated an agreement that allows the current caches to remain in thier parks. Also, while working with Mr. Bruce Wilkins of Patapsco State Park he asked me to develop potential guidelines and a request for approval form for hiding caches in thier parks. After asking me to make a few changes he presented them to Mr. Chris Bushmen, Head of Patapsco State Park who has since approved them and forwarded them for consideration as the guidelines for all Maryland State Park systems. I will update this post if that occurs.

The Maryland Geocaching Society has added this information to the website. If you plan on hiding a cache in Patapsco State Park please review the guidelines and submit the approval form first.

www.mdgps.net/patapsco_guidelines

Also check out our website and forums for other park information as well as caches in Maryland.

www.mdgps.net

Birdsfan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posts: 1 | Registered: September 07, 2001<<<

PS FYI, I can't imagine ANY insurance company (especially since 9/11/01) that would be willing to write a liabiity policy to COA at any cost.

July 30, 2002

Originally posted by CCCooperAgency:

http://www.mdgps.net/patapsco_guidelines

Birdsfan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posts: 1 | Registered: September 07, 2001<<<

Now that is user-friendly. Can we be that friendly in Pennsylvania ?

"When you find it, its always in the last place you look."

July 30, 2002

Originally posted by CCCooperAgency:

http://www.mdgps.net/patapsco_guidelines

Birdsfan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posts: 1 | Registered: September 07, 2001<<<

Now that is user-friendly. Can we be that friendly in Pennsylvania ?

"When you find it, its always in the last place you look."

July 31, 2002

Just saw this on Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint site:

23 July 2002: Geocaches on Pennsylvania State Forest Land must be Registered (Pennsylvania DCNR-Bureau of Forestry)

Geocaching Guidelines have been developed and placed into effect for the Pennsylvania DCNR-Bureau of Forestry on July 23, 2002. Existing geocaches on Pennsylvania State Forest lands will be given 30 days, starting Monday, July 29, 2002, to be removed by the geocache's responsible person for placement. The responsible person must then contact the appropriate local State Forest District Office to obtain and complete the Identification Form and Agreement to place and maintain a geocache.

Those geocaches not removed by TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2002, shall be treated as abandoned property and confiscated by Bureau of Forestry personnel.

Gary // Team Grayrun

In a split second, all your priorities change.

July 31, 2002

I checked the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web site. I couldn't find anything on the announcement of the deadline to remove caches. In fact, a search turned up no references to geocaching.

Gary // Team Grayrun

In a split second, all your priorities change.

August 1, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by Team Grayrun:
I checked the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web site. I couldn't find anything on the announcement of the deadline to remove caches. In fact, a search turned up no references to geocaching.

Gary // Team Grayrun

_In a split second, all your priorities change._

Are these procedures now in place? I wonder how they can be in place without some attempt at public notification?

I, like Team Grayrun, search their site almost daily looking for some sort of information on this. I would think they would use the internet to get information to people who participate in an activity organized through the internet! Duh!

When I see something official from them (DCNR), I will act properly. Until then, second hand information which has not been validated with any references will be ignored.

Smoochnme

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

August 1, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by smoochnme:

Are these procedures now in place? I wonder how they can be in place without some attempt at public notification?

I, like Team Grayrun, search their site almost daily looking for some sort of information on this. I would think they would use the internet to get information to people who participate in an activity organized through the internet! Duh!

When I see something official from them (DCNR), I will act properly. Until then, second hand information which has not been validated with any references will be ignored.

Smoochnme

http://www.contrabandent.com/cwm/s/otn/animals/goldfish.gif

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

This is an email I got from Charlie Meade a few days after we received word that #6 (that kinda sounds odd, anyway) was removed.

"Mike,

Thanks for your comments.

We are working on ways of getting the word out once the policy is finalized. There will be something on the DCNR website pertaining to this. We are also planning on issuing a press release....."

So I'm assuming nothing is official yet, my guess is they may have but the other info out just to make people more aware of what's going on. Then they'll say ok here's the deal.

"...Not all those who wander are lost..."

August 1, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by mikechim:

This is an email I got from Charlie Meade a few days after we received word that #6 (that kinda sounds odd, anyway) was removed.

"Mike,

Thanks for your comments.

We are working on ways of getting the word out once the policy is finalized. There will be something on the DCNR website pertaining to this. We are also planning on issuing a press release....."

So I'm assuming nothing is official yet, my guess is they may have but the other info out just to make people more aware of what's going on. Then they'll say ok here's the deal.

"...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I figured that its still sorta a waiting game. Thanks for the info.

It was those dates given on the other site that made it look "official" and caused me to wonder what was up. Agencies usually don't "probe" with information that specific.

Smoochnme

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

August 1, 2002

People who love sausage and respect the law should never see either one being made.

Why are we learning about this from Buxley’s? Did the DEPARTMENT notify geocaching.com or did geocaching.com drop the ball on this one?

I had thought that we were being more than a little premature in assuming that the application of the DCNR geocaching policy would automatically be fair and reasonable. It has recently been suggested that we may be required to sign a release at the park office before we can even look for a geocache. Intolerable! The bureaucrats are running amok and you can be sure that the Bureau of State Parks and the Bureau of Forestry are working together on this. Their language is the same. They are making and implementing policies that regulate geocaching without a public review process. They don’t even bother to tell us about it! This topic on the forums here didn’t even get started until the park manager at Presque Isle took it upon himself to send something to geocaching.com. The policy makers have failed us! I am very disgusted with this process. It just isn’t right and it may be illegal. The DEPARTMENT should consider that it could be exposing itself to a lawsuit if it confiscates a geocache. Mr. Meade, who by his own admission, is not a geocacher and is “relatively new to this endeavor” formulated and distributed a geocaching policy to park managers without any input from geocachers. Problems began right away with the “Geocache Identification Form” which remains flawed in spite of us getting one really offending paragraph removed from it. It’s too complicated, there are parts of it that just don’t make sense, and there are provisions that cannot be enforced. It appears that they have borrowed some legal language from a standard disclaimer form that would be used for a rifle range and applied it to geocaches. I said it before and I’ll say it again. We’re talking about hiding a box of toys in the woods! I believe that the DEPARTMENT is overly concerned about liability issues pertaining to geocaching which is not any more or less dangerous than other park activities. This most recent policy which has come down to us from the Bureau of Forestry is an outrage. We have to go and remove our cache and then register it before we can put it back where it came from. Are they serious? What is the point of this exercise? Are they clueless are just plain stupid? Are they really going to confiscate my cache 30 days from last week if I don’t obey some senseless rules that they didn’t even bother to tell me about? Grrrrrrrr! I can promise that I will have hidden ten unauthorized caches for every one of mine that is confiscated under these circumstances.

We have done some good work here and I remain committed to working with our public officials to get a policy that is fair and practical. We have won one battle but we can still lose the war. We must act now! We may have to live with whatever they come up with in the coming weeks. Keep up the letter writing campaign and send in as many suggestions as you can think of. Request that they give us an opportunity to comment on their policy before it is put into effect.

Maryland's State Parks is working with geocachers. Pennsylvania should do the same!

Here is some food for thought:

The Bureau of state parks is responsible for “developing, maintaining, and preserving the public lands it administers for the purpose of promoting healthful outdoor recreation and education.”

The purpose of the State Forests according to law are “To provide a continuous supply of timber, lumber, wood, and other forest products; to protect watersheds, conserve the water and regulate the flow of rivers and streams of the State and to furnish opportunities for the healthful recreation to the public”.

Johnny

August 1, 2002

Well put, Quest Master!

Our caching plans for this Saturday included placing a cache off an excellent trail in a State Forest. I guess we'll have to hike a little farther than we had planned to make sure we're beyond the State Forest boundary and into the State Game Lands . . . unless, of course, the State Game Commission posts its geocaching "policy" tomorrow.

What a load of crap . . .

Gary // Team Grayrun

In a split second, all your priorities change.

August 2, 2002

It would behoove the Forestry & State Parks Depts. to look up the DEFINITION of the word "abandoned" in good old Daniel Webster's...

abandoned: 1. wholly forsaken or deserted.

That is the first meaning given to the word. Do these folks have a better understanding of the English language than Daniel Webster or our forefathers who wrote the Constitution?

Some geocaches receive more visits than the park/forest itself would receive in an average month without the geocache. The parks folks are always SAYING that they are looking for new ways to draw in more park visitors. So which is it?

I say they're shooting themselves in the foot over this.

PS I emailed the forestry dept. address provided and that gentleman in turn referred me to a webpage listing the district offices. I then emailed the Michaux State Forest to request information and forms on geocaching and to date have received nothing. Not so much as a courtesy reply! What gives!!!

August 2, 2002

I contacted Mr. Meade to invite him to participate in our forums. We have nothing to hide. Right? This is the closest thing we have to an actual organization. I apologized personally to him for making some false statements in this forum. I think that we would all agree that he has been responsive to the geocaching community.

I received the following response from Mr. Meade at the Bureau of State Parks:

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxx,

Forestry has recently implemented their geocaching policy. I have forwarded your email to the Recreation Section for their response. Parks and Forestry are separate bureaus, therefore it is not proper for me to speak on their behalf.

The geocaching community have always been welcomed to comment on our proposed policy. As a matter of fact, several suggestions I have received from geocachers has been incorporated into (or removed from) the draft.

However, a statement in the forum that one would be required to sign a release prior to looking for a geocache are baseless and unfounded. Therefore, it serves no purpose for me to respond to such irresponsible comments.

I believe I have shown a willingness to work with the geocaching community. However, unfounded statements such as this will only serve to degrade this process.

My contact information is listed on several postings on the Geocache forum. I have in the past, and will continue to address all comments and suggestions from the geocaching community. I have made it a point to personally respond to every email I receive on this matter.

The final draft is being reviewed at this time. After it is approved, but before it is implemented, I would be glad to forward it to you. You may post it on the forum if you wish.

Charlie Meade

Park Manager

PA Bureau of State Parks

Operations Section

P.O. Box 8551

400 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551

Voice 717-787-2191, Fax 717-783-5017 mailto:Cmeade@state.pa.us

The good news here is that we may still have an opportunity to change the proposed geocaching policy if there is anything in it that we really don't like.

The other good news is that there is no truth to the rumor that anyone will be required to hunt for a cache.

The bad news is that we have not yet heard from the Bureau of Forestry.

Johnny

August 2, 2002

Last Weekend a friend of mine was hiking and had a conversation with some DCNR employees/rangers about geocaching. I was told the conversation was very positive and in fact both of the rangers said that they would like to promote geocaching within the state parks and forests. Their biggest concern was caches placed on sensitive areas and mentioned several nearby caches they were concerned about.

I too have had similar conversations with DCNR field people and was very much encouraged with their attitude. To me, these are the people that matter the most. Their concerns about one particular cache is VERY valid. If anyone is curious about which one...send me an e-mail.

I am somewhat stunned that Forestry has implimented a new "policy" without any public notification. I'm pretty sure that something like this would at least be required to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. No matter how hard I search, I can find no details on what needs to be done to register a cache on a State Forest.

So, within the next few days I will venture to each of the State Forest Offices I have caches placed and attempt to register them. I'm anxious to find out what happens. Thankfully, I only have four caches on three of the State Forest.

I hope in the future DCNR will consider a downloadable cache registration form which can be e-mailed back to the department for approval. Kinda like what we have now on geocaching.com. Boat registrations and fishing licenses, among other things, are currently being sold and distributed in this manner.

I strongly believe that both Parks and Forest will see the benefits of geocaching to their respective Bureau's mission. Most who actually work in the Parks and Forests already do. It is most important that we do not create a "Us vs Them" mentality in this process.

Lets keep doing what we have been doing. Give them our thoughts, let them process all of it, and be patient until they give us something to work with. If what they give us dosen't quite work, then we'll give them our thoughts again and restart the process until we have something both sides can work with.

Smoochnme

"The trail will be long and full of frustrations. Life is a whole and good and evil must be accepted together"

Ralph Abele

August 2, 2002

Mr. Meade has provided me with the latest DRAFT of the new geocaching policy for state parks and the latest DRAFT of the Geocache Identification Form. I am very pleased that they have removed the legal stuff . I emailed him to ask about the "Cache ID Number" but he didn't get back to me yet. We'll probably have to wait until Monday to find out what they mean by this. I am concerned that they may be talking about the geocaching.com waypoint number which wouldn't work since it cannot be known until the cache is listed on the website. Another possibility is a number assigned by the park managers. I guess that we would be required to get a number from the park office in advance so that we could write it on the cache container before we hide it in the park. It probably is not wise to speculate. We'll just have to wait and see what he says. In the meantime, he has said that they will be meeting again early next week to discuss this further. Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Here are the documents: Did I mention that these are just a DRAFT. This means that NOBODY should be printing them out and sending them in.

DRAFT

DCNR - Bureau of State Parks

Geocaching Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Geocaching has become a new endeavor on Pennsylvania’s state park and forest lands. The idea is to have individuals set up caches all over the state and share the locations of these caches and the coordinates on the internet. Global Positioning System (GPS) users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide a wide variety of cache items. The cache visitor is asked to leave an item in the cache for the one they remove. The Geocache community uses the Internet extensively for posting cache locations.

The following guidelines apply to all geocaches on state park land:

? Placement of geocaches on lands administered by the DCNR - Bureau of State Parks requires written authorization of the Park Manager or designee. This authorization will be considered through a review process, which insures its location is compatible with other park activities.

? A geocache contact person responsible for necessary upkeep of the site must be identified prior to approval by the Park Manager or designee.

? There should be no earth disturbance or vegetative impact to any approved site. Nor should the cache be readily discernable by the general public.

? Cache(s) shall not be placed in a military ammo box or PVC pipe. A transparent type container is required (Tupperware, Gladware, Pretzel Barrel, etc.)

? Cache ID number must be clearly visible on the exterior of all geocache containers. The ID number should be placed on container(s) using a permanent type marker or weatherproof tag.

? The cache may not be placed within Natural Areas or Wild Plant Sanctuaries, or on stream banks, riparian zones, wetlands, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, exemplary natural communities, ecologically sensitive areas, unique geological features, Dam structures, or unsafe areas.

? A cache may remain at the approved site for no more than five years at which time it must be removed, the site restored to its original condition, and the Park Manager informed in writing of the removal. This will control cache abandonment and assist in preventing renegade trail development to the site.

? Unauthorized geocaches on state park lands will be removed and treated as abandoned property, and the responsible person may be cited for littering.

? Responsible party shall delete site location(s) from all publications and/or website(s) within seven days of removal.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & NATURAL RESOURCES

BUREAU OF STATE PARKS

GEOCACHE IDENTIFICATION FORM

This agreement is made this _____ day of _____________________, by and between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks (”DEPARTMENT”) and _____________________________ (“RESPONSIBLE PARTY”).

The RESPONSIBLE PARTY desires to place a geocache at the following location(s) in ________________________________________ State Park:

SITE NAME (if any): ___________________________________________

ID # _______________

TOWNSHIP: _________________________________________________

COUNTY: ___________________________________________________

LATITUDE: __________________________________________________

LONGITUDE: ________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (if needed)_________________________

___________________________________________________________

SITE NAME (if any): __________________________________________

ID # _______________

TOWNSHIP: ________________________________________________

COUNTY: __________________________________________________

LATITUDE: _________________________________________________

LONGITUDE: _______________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (if needed)________________________

__________________________________________________________

SITE NAME (if any): _________________________________________

ID # _______________

TOWNSHIP: _______________________________________________

COUNTY: _________________________________________________

LATITUDE: ________________________________________________

LONGITUDE: ______________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (if needed)_______________________

_________________________________________________________

SITE NAME (if any): _________________________________________

ID # _______________

TOWNSHIP: _______________________________________________

COUNTY: _________________________________________________

LATITUDE: ________________________________________________

LONGITUDE: ______________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (if needed)_______________________

_________________________________________________________

The DEPARTMENT is willing to permit the RESPONSIBLE PARTY to place the above geocache(s), subject to the following conditions:

1. Geocache container description (size, color, container, material): ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

2. This permission is in effect for the period beginning _______________ through _____________________ (not to exceed 5 years); however, the permission may be revoked at any time by the DEPARTMENT acting through a Park Manager or designee.

3. REPONSIBLE PARTY is not permitted to do the following:

a. Earth disturbance or vegetative impact to the approved geocache site.

b. Move or alter approved geocache location.

c. Allow the insertion of hazardous or pornographic materials in the geocache container.

d. Place cache(s) on a Dam structure

d. Other (state “no other conditions” or list other conditions): ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4. The cache may not be placed within Natural Areas or Wild Plant Sanctuaries, or on stream banks, riparian zones, wetlands, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, exemplary natural communities, ecologically sensitive areas, unique geological features, Dam structures, or unsafe areas.

5. Park Manager or designee shall be notified by the RESPONSIBLE PARTY when the cache is moved or removed.

__________________________________ ________________________________

Printed Name of Responsible Party Responsible Party signature

___________________________________

Street

___________________________________

City State Zip

(____)_____________________________

Phone Email address

___________________________________

Park Manager or designee date

Original – Park Office files

Copies to – Regional Park Office, Central Office Operations Section

It bears repeating one more time for good measure: These documents are draft versions of the policy and permission form. Don't Use Them!

Johnny

August 2, 2002