Caching In Washington State Parks

[+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy]

I was talking to the Ranger for Confluence and Squilchuck State Parks today and he told me that State Parks just came out with a specific policy on Geocaching. He said they'll be allowed by permit. Certain restrictions will apply, but they are common sense things like no weapons, porn, not in "sensitive" areas. I described a local multi-cache Sanctuary to him that takes the cacher through a natural area in his park. I told him that the owner has it disabled right now because of a seasonal closure for the birds. I explained how the multi works and that the final cache location was outside the park. He was very interested and said that it sounded like it was encouraging the kind of use they wish they had more of. He said wow, I had know idea this was that involved. I tried to find the new policy on the State Parks web page, but it isn't there yet.

 

Sounds like the WSGA folks have done great work in their talks with State Parks. Way to go!

[Team Misguided]

Thanks for the heads up on this. We received the proposed regulations about six months ago and they were very reasonable. I've held off posting them until they were finalized. We are going to get in touch with our contact at the State parks and see if we can get something official.

[+Ambrosia]

I was talking to the Ranger for Confluence and Squilchuck State Parks today and he told me that State Parks just came out with a specific policy on Geocaching. He said they'll be allowed by permit. Certain restrictions will apply, but they are common sense things like no weapons, porn, not in "sensitive" areas. I described a local multi-cache Sanctuary to him that takes the cacher through a natural area in his park. I told him that the owner has it disabled right now because of a seasonal closure for the birds. I explained how the multi works and that the final cache location was outside the park. He was very interested and said that it sounded like it was encouraging the kind of use they wish they had more of. He said wow, I had know idea this was that involved. I tried to find the new policy on the State Parks web page, but it isn't there yet.

 

Sounds like the WSGA folks have done great work in their talks with State Parks. Way to go!

Scared me for a minute, xy, when you said you told the ranger about Sanctuary! Made my heart go pitter pat.

 

Good thing he liked it.

[+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy]

Figured It was safe because you didn't put anything IN the park, you just brought visitors in to walk the trails and read the signs. He seemed VERY impressed.

[+Ambrosia]

[+justybug]

nice job. i just had a good experience with a land manager too. i'm surprised by positive responses. that's just sad.

oh well, i'll take a yes any day!!

good work!

[+shunra]

I was talking to the Ranger for Confluence and Squilchuck State Parks today and he told me that State Parks just came out with a specific policy on Geocaching. He said they'll be allowed by permit. Certain restrictions will apply, but they are common sense things like no weapons, porn, not in "sensitive" areas. I described a local multi-cache Sanctuary to him that takes the cacher through a natural area in his park. I told him that the owner has it disabled right now because of a seasonal closure for the birds. I explained how the multi works and that the final cache location was outside the park. He was very interested and said that it sounded like it was encouraging the kind of use they wish they had more of. He said wow, I had know idea this was that involved. I tried to find the new policy on the State Parks web page, but it isn't there yet.

 

Sounds like the WSGA folks have done great work in their talks with State Parks. Way to go!

What does "by permit" mean? Is it an individual permit required per cache, like in my local State Park?

 

And will the permit cost $10, again, like in my local State Park?

 

And if the answer to any of these questions is "no", will this new specific policy override my local ranger's discretionary rulings, or will he be allowed to make up his own rules, regardless of general SP geocaching policies?

[+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy]

Don't know. WSGA is checking in with State Parks for the official story.

[+OccidentalErrant]

Hmmm,, I live in Vancouver WA. Do you have a web site URL for WSGA?

[+Right Wing Wacko]

Hmmm,, I live in Vancouver WA.  Do you have a web site URL for WSGA?

Washington State Geocaching Association (WSGA)

 

The web page is not always up to date... but we're trying toi change that.

Edited February 22, 2005 by Right Wing Wacko

[+OccidentalErrant]

Thanks Right Wing... Nice GIF, BTW.

[Team Misguided]

What does "by permit" mean? Is it an individual permit required per cache, like in my local State Park?

 

And will the permit cost $10, again, like in my local State Park?

 

And if the answer to any of these questions is "no", will this new specific policy override my local ranger's discretionary rulings, or will he be allowed to make up his own rules, regardless of general SP geocaching policies?

The info we got from the State Parks guy 6 months ago indicated that there would be no fees. The 'Permit' consisted mainly of an information/contact info sheet. It gives the rangers and option to say no to a location if it's environmentally sensitive.

 

We are just waiting for a response to our email to be able to provide more info. When we do I'll make sure we ask about the $10 fee in our favorite State Park.

[+TotemLake]

Ranger Mike Barry advised the same thing you did here when I was speaking with him about Squilchuck.

[Team Misguided]

Update

 

We have heard back from our contact at the Park Dept. The proposed policy is being circulated to the Park Managers, but as of this time it is not official. Because of this I still think it's best not to post the proposed policy as it may change. I have read over the current version and it is very similar to the current geocaching.com guidelines. As said before, it mainly requires you to ask permission and fill out a contact information sheet. Some parks may ask us to comply with the guidelines in the new policy even though it is technically not official.

 

My best recommendation at this point is to ask permission. The park managers I've talked with only want to know what's going on in their parks, most have been very supportive of our sport/activity/hobby. They just want to know what's going on in their park.