[DMflyer]

On 2/19/2010 6:32 PM, Rob Maile wrote:
>
>
> Here is the letter I sent on behalf on NCGO. I wanted it there today
> while it's still uppermost in their minds and clearly in the media. I
> expect a reply next week, if not I will push them for one. If I get
> nothing, or a form letter simply asking for more public comment on the
> their proposal, I think we should organise a response from all NC
> Geocachers, especially the locals.
>
> The main point is that yes, for these extra sensitive areas a workable
> Geocaching policy IS required. But I am asking them to NOT take the easy
> route and recycle the State Park policy, which is unworkable as is (but
> NCGO is working on that). It would be a step back for Goecaching in NC
> if this land was effectively put off-limits while other states are
> moving forward and embracing it.
>
> If locals could look for editorials in the press and send me the links,
> I'd also appreciate it.
>
> Letter is here. I'd also welcome feedback from you guys.
>
> Dear Terry Seyden / Forestry Service
>
> I am writing as the current President of the North Carolina Geocachers
> Organization ( NCGO, http://www.ncgeocachers.org ), which serves to
> promote the activity of Geocaching as an environmentally-conscious
> educational activity. We have many relationships with many local, county
> and State organizations (for instance, we are about to be listed as a
> resource of the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education; our
> website for them is under construction as I speak). We also perform many
> service projects throughout the State with environmental concerns. I
> have a listing of 15 or so service projects held recently in the
> Asheville area; for example in the Gorges State Park and the RiverLink
> clean-up on the French Broad , all co-ordinated through NCGO.
>
> With these things in mind, I read, with some concern, the proposal for
> limiting Geocache placement in Wildernesses, Experimental Forests or
> Wild and Scenic River areas.
>
> There are many controls already on the placing of Geocaches (
> http://www.geocachin...guidelines.aspx ) but we recognize the
> need for an extra set of regulations in special areas. Our group
> certainly does not advocate for uncontrolled placement of geocaches in
> these areas, that is a time bomb waiting to happen...and it seems like
> it did happen when someone placed an unmarked Geocache close to a trail
> without specific permission in a sensitive area. We and many other
> Geocaching sites list details as to how a cache is to be placed, and the
> permission required to hide them. Firstly, I apologize on behalf of the
> Geocachers that have placed such containers in your area but would like
> to reassure you that we do our hardest to ensure Geocaches are placed in
> a responsible fashion.
>
> Part of NCGO's mandate is to educate property managers on Geocaching
> and to work with them to allow Geocaches in such a controlled fashion.
> For instance, we have systems in place with various local, County and
> State authorities. Many of these are now understanding the benefit of
> Geocaching in bringing people to their areas, particularly when they
> read of success stories and schemes in other States. Importantly, we are
> intent on working with NC State Parks to provide a workable Geocache
> Permit System. The one they currently offer, and I imagine similar to
> the one you are proposing, is actually completely prohibitive to the
> placing of Geocaches for the following reasons:
>
> -The main listing site for all Geocaches is http://www.geocaching.com .
> For a cache to be listed it has to be placed with the intent of being
> there for longer than three months. The State Park Permit System only
> allows for a placement of less than three months. Each cache undergoes a
> review process by the website, and even if a cache has a State Permit it
> cannot be listed and therefore will never be visited.
>
> -Virtual caches are no longer listed on geocaching.com. These were
> disallowed from the site a few years ago due to over use. Only one form
> of virtual Geocache is now allowed, which must specifically refer to a
> geological feature. Through my conversation with various State Park
> Superintendents, these usually fall under their maximum of 3-month
> "placement", and so cannot be listed on the geocaching.com website.
>
> While each State Park Supervisor can override any of these requirements
> and allow Geocaches for more than 3 months (and some have), I am
> currently planning a set of alternate general permit proposals with the
> State Parks to try and break through this Catch-22 situation and allow
> Park-controlled placement of Geocaches.
> NCGO argues that Geocaching is not just a growing interest for many
> people in North Carolina, it's *already* a major pastime for many
> families. NCGO represents in excess of 1,000 active North Carolina
> Geocachers. It is a good family activity full of exercise and
> educational opportunities. It encourages tourism to other areas of the
> State and country. Indeed, the Asheville Tourism Board worked with us to
> set up a series of town caches a few years ago to promote visiting
> different areas of the town. The first nationally-syndicated primetime
> Geocaching TV travel show, airing from the end of 2010, will be hosted
> by an active North Carolina Geocacher, and will significantly raise the
> public profile of Geocaching and North Carolina. Many County Park
> systems, town and school systems and even some NC State Parks are in on
> the ground floor of this, recognized this fact and allowed controlled
> placement of geocaches. The Boy Scouts of America are using Geocaching
> as a central part of their 100-year Anniversary celebrations this year,
> and we are working with them on numerous Service and Geocaching projects.
>
> Let me re-state NCGO's position on cache-placement: in sensitive areas,
> we do not want uncontrolled placement of Geocaches in sensitive areas
> for the same reasons as you. We do however wish to work with you to set
> up a controlled system with any restrictions that you wish, that will
> actually allow Geocaches to be placed and found...and placed in such a
> way to benefit the Forest Service and encourage the Geocacher to visit.
>
> For any more information or discussion, I'd be willing to email, talk on
> the phone (919-619-8173) or drive on across for a meeting.
>
> Yours Sincerely
>
> Rob Maile
> NCGO President
> http://www.ncgeocachers.org
>
> ----
> Rob Maile PhD
> Assistant Professor of Surgery / Microbiology and Immunology
> NC Jaycee Burn Center
> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
> CB#27599-7120
> 919-966-31xx
> robmaile@med.unc.edu