National Forests and Geocaching

[+Mousetrap]

Here is something we found on the web that we didn't know. Has anyone else seen it??

It seems to pretain to ALL national forests.

The fee is $57 per year.

 

FOREST SERVICE MANUAL

SOUTHERN REGION (REGION 8)

ATLANTA, GA

FSM 2700 – SPECIAL USES MANAGEMENT

CHAPTER 2720 – SPECIAL USES ADMINISTRATION

Supplement No.: 2700-2006-1

Effective Date: April 4, 2006

Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.

Approved: CHARLES L. MYERS, Regional Forester Date Approved: 03/20/2006

2724.44 - Treasure Hunting

1. This designation includes the temporary placement of personal property for the

purpose of geo-caching. 36 CFR 261.10(a) requires a special use authorization for

occupancy and use of National Forest system land. This is further supported by 36 CFR

261.10(e) that prohibits abandoning personal property on National Forest system land.

2. Screen proposals to locate traditional (physical) caches using 36 CFR 251.54.

Authorize traditional caches on FS 2700-5 Temporary Special Use Permit. The GPS

coordinates of the caches must be included on the permit. Charge the regional minimum

fee.

3. Traditional cache containers shall not exceed 12” on any side (height, width, or

depth). Containers must be non-breakable, animal resistant, and have a closing

mechanism to prohibit content exposure to wildlife and the environment. Containers

must be permanently marked with the Holder’s permit ID, Name, address, and telephone

number. Caches may not contain food, alcohol, tobacco, weapons of any type, fireworks,

drugs, or other similar items. Caches may not be buried or hidden under water. Caches

may not be placed in dangerous, inappropriate, or protected areas and habitats.

4. Virtual caches do not require an authorization. A virtual cache is a physical

object that can be referenced through latitude and longitude. A virtual cache could be a

geologic or unique feature or unusual landmark. Encourage use of virtual caches

opposed to traditional caches.

5. Activities similar to geo-caching (for example, GPS Stash Hunt, Benchmark

Hunting, Letterboxing, Geo-Poker) shall be administered in accordance with Geocaching.

Competitive events involving a participation fee will be authorized as a

recreation event.

6. The activity of searching for geo-caches is a personal recreation pursuit and

does not require an authorization.

7. Forests may adopt more restrictive policy on geocaching activities, such as

restricting geocaching to virtual caches only.

[+steve p]

The fee is $57 per year.

What is the $57 fee for? Nothing in the text references a fee.

[+Mousetrap]

The fee is $57 per year.

What is the $57 fee for? Nothing in the text references a fee.

The fee is for the permit.

[+Renegade Knight]

This is what I found that with enough work you could see fitting.

 

The following are prohibited: (a) Constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communications equipment, or other improvement on National Forest System lands or facilities without a special use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan, unless such authorization, contract, or operating plan is waived pursuant to 251.50(e) of this chapter.

[+J-Way]

What is the $57 fee for? Nothing in the text references a fee.

See the end of rule #1, "Charge the regional minimum fee." This is for the permit, and I assume Mousetrap looked it up to establish the amount of $57.

 

But I'm laughing at the rule #5, which includes "GPS Stash Hunt" and "Benchmark Hunting". The name GPS Stash Hunt hasn't been used in years, and Benchmark Hunting involves finding physical objects placed decades ago. Also, I note that "Terracaching" isn't included

[+Happy Humphrey]

Being four years old, of course it's out of date. If it's not updated soon it may make no sense at all.

Virtual Caches haven't been allowed for years. Waymarking isn't mentioned. As this is such old legislation, I expect that it can just be ignored.

 

In any case, what's to stop someone placing a cache and posting coordinates on Navicache (or on their own personal web page?).

[Max Cacher]

The fee does NOT apply to ALL national forests

 

Max