[GeoStL] Challenging the NPS ban on geocaching RE: Re: FW: ohiobill contacting you from Geocaching.com
- From: "Jim Bensman" <jbensman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 08:54:48 -0500
In working on my letter to the NPS over the removal of my cache, I have
looked a lot closer at NPS regulations and policies. I have found that not
only does the NPS regulations the NPS claims prohibit Geocaching not apply,
I have also looked at the NPS regulations and policies on managing
recreation. These regulations and policies very clearly do not allow the
NPS to simply ban a recreational use. For example, the NPS must allow a
recreational use "if they are appropriate to the purpose for which the park
was established and they can be sustained without causing unacceptable
impacts to park resources or values." I have also found some good language
in the law that established the Ozark National Scenic Riverways as one of
its purpose is the, "use and enjoyment of the outdoor recreation resources
thereof by the people of the United States."
I think the NPS's response to the letter I am preparing has the potential to
be precedent setting and a means to challenge the NPS's nationwide ban of
Geocaching on any NPS managed land. So I think it is very important to get
in comments to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways opposing the NPS's
outright ban.
I have the email address for the park. What I would suggest doing is: 1)
Place my letter to the NPS on SLGA's web site; 2) Place an alert on the web
site (and other places) urging people to write the NPS asking for the
elimination on the outright banning of Geocaching; and 3) Have SLAGA send
the Ozark National Scenic Riverways a letter asking them to meet with us to
discuss the issue.
What do others think?
I hope to have my letter finished today.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of glenn l nash
> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 12:46 PM
> To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [GeoStL] Re: FW: ohiobill contacting you from Geocaching.com
>
>
> wow, good detective work..
>
> glenn
> --
>
> On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 12:14:10
> Jim Bensman wrote:
> >The Park Service web site was back on line today so I was able
> to track him
> >down. He is after all a ranger on the Ozark National River:
> >
> >William D. O'Donnell
> >PARK RANGER (INTERPRETATION)
> >
> >It is time to challenge them. The first step will be a letter to the Park
> >Superintent. I am also going to draft something to challenge the NPS's
> >nationwide refusal to allow caching on any NPS lands.
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> [mailto:geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Glenn
> >> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 7:34 PM
> >> To: SLAGA
> >> Subject: [GeoStL] FW: ohiobill contacting you from Geocaching.com
> >>
> >>
> >> Our friend, and a special friend of Myotis, is back. He seems friendly
> >> enough this time but I wonder why the Ranger doesn't use his
> >> official Ranger
> >> address like Ranger Wally did?
> >>
> >> Earl, do you know ranger Ohio Bill?
> >>
> >> When he trashed Myotis caches we thought he was a crackpot. If
> he is not I
> >> don't want to aggravate him but I would like to chat with him
> >> some to see if
> >> he talks like a ranger.
> >>
> >> Heck, that won't work, Myotis can chat like a lawyer and he
> doesn't even
> >> play one on TV. :) Anybody want to chat with the ranger?
> >>
> >> Glenn
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Geocaching.com User Email BOT [mailto:emailer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> >> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 7:17 PM
> >> To: glnash
> >> Subject: ohiobill contacting you from Geocaching.com
> >>
> >> THIS IS AN AUTOMATED EMAIL MESSAGE FROM GEOCACHING.COM
> >> This user has given you their email address, so simply reply to
> >> this message
> >> to contact them directly. Please send any abuse complaints to
> >> contact@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> ---------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> User ohiobill has contacted you with the following message:
> >>
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I'd like to thank you VERY MUCH for making this a virtual cache. I am a
> >> National Park Service Ranger at Ozark National Scenic Riverways,
> >> responsible
> >> for, among other things, Devils Well.
> >>
> >> The Park Service considers "real caches" to be simply litter. In
> >> most parks
> >> they are just retrieved and thrown away, in some we cite the
> leaver if we
> >> can find them.
> >>
> >> It would be great for everyone concerned if the idea of ONLY
> doing virtual
> >> caches in national parks could become a cornerstone of geocaching
> >> ethics. It
> >> would be sad for a cool hobby if it became real confrontational.
> >>
> >> Thanks for doing the right thing, and maybe you can help spread this
> >> message. Most national parks do watch the website, and some
> folks can be
> >> rather gung-ho.
> >>
> >> By the way, I have climbed those stairs a million times and have
> >> no clue how
> >> many steps!
> >>
> >> Thank you,
> >>
> >> Ranger Bill
> >>
> >> The user has also sent you their email address (or reply to
> this message):
> >> ohiobill@xxxxxxx
> >>
> >>
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