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Getting permission from government agencies


hzoi

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While the guideline for permission has been relaxed somewhat recently, government agencies may still require permission, or even permits, in some areas.

 

I led a discussion on earthcaches this weekend at CacheFest Oklahoma, and as part of that, I promised to bump the topic that had my permission email in it. Since that'san older thread, I thought I'd just put it in a new topic.

 

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Hello,

 

I am looking for permission to create an earthcache based on [, based on research available here:

 

[links to references]

 

An earthcache is a geocache that has no physical container and requires people to answer questions to log their find. based on earth science lessons. In order to get started, I need permission from park staff.

 

This is not my first earthcache. I currently manage [total] earthcaches in different areas of the United States. Over the past several years, I have worked with [agencies] to place earthcaches on park property. (Note 1)

 

As I mentioned to [person you spoke with], (Note 2) I want to ensure this cache is designed responsibly, putting the park's needs first and foremost. I will make any necessary changes to the cache location or description before publishing (Note 3), and I will design the experience to make sure that people completing this earthcache would stay in areas that would have no more impact than any other visitor to the park.

 

I anticipate bringing visitors to [subject] in the vicinity of [coordinates] and having them examine the [feature] there from [publicly accessible area].

 

If you'd like to see examples of earthcaches I placed at [other places] after working with park staff, you can see them here: (Note 4)

 

[links]

 

I'm available by email at [email] or by cell at [phone] if you have any questions or need more information.

 

If I have not sent this to the right folks for review, I would appreciate you forwarding this to the right official(s).

 

Thanks for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

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Notes

 

1. Obviously, if this IS your first earthcache, this part's not so helpful. But maybe replace it with, "I'm working with an experienced earthcache reviewer, who has a considerable amount of experience working to ensure that earthcaches are placed appropriately, including in protected areas like this one."

 

2. Normally, I'll call a park (or visit in person) to see who I should be talking to, even if I already know who the right point of contact is (because I looked at the regional wiki for that area). First, it's easy to miss an email (or to get one stuck in a spam filter). But people don't normally ignore conversations. Second, talking to a live human is a good way to demonstrate that you have a sincere interest and aren't just some kook from the internet. Third, park staff know their location and might have recommendations for a good spot, or access to additional sources that you didn't find, or even let you know about another feature in the park that would also be a good earthcache.

 

3. How to let park staff see your earthcache before review? I usually pull up my draft earthcache, then print to PDF and attach the file to my email. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done.

 

4. Again, if this is your first earthcache, not super helpful. But you could instead just link them to other earthcaches that have been placed in environmentally sensitive areas, to show the land manager how someone else did it and that's how you intend to do it as well.

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Thank you so much for sharing that with the forum. That answers many of the questions people have when trying to get permission to place an EarthCache. 

I particularly like that you suggest going in person for the first approach at least. It is so much more likely someone will want to help you if they have met you. I guess it is harder to say "No" in person. 

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You know, this reminds me of one of my earthcache "wish list items."  I wish there was a way that I could post and file my land owner permission permits only in the edit page. That way only the reviewers, Groundspeak, and I could see them, but they remain out of public view. Most of my government applications have my address, phone numbers, email addresses, and other things that I would not like seen in a log note. Some state require a new permit be filed annually, so this allows a safe place to store these.

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On 7/27/2024 at 6:53 AM, Awesnap said:

I wish there was a way that I could post and file my land owner permission permits only in the edit page. That way only the reviewers, Groundspeak, and I could see them, but they remain out of public view.

 

These should go in reviewer notes before publication, which are archived at publication and are not public.

 

As far as renewed, post-publication permits go, while you should maintain them for your files, you don't need to post these to the cache. Just hang onto them. If Groundspeak or a reviewer needs to see them, they'll ask.

 

(I would have posted this as my reviewer alter ego, but since I started this thread as hzoi, I'm keeping it going as hzoi.)

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