o: ozmtngeocachers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ozmtngeocachers] New MDC Geocaching Guidelines
Reply-To: ozmtngeocachers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I discovered yesterday when I called MDC seeking permission to
place a
cache on one of their areas, that there are now new guidelines that
have to be followed.
Here's a copy of what I received in the mail today:
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GEOCACHING / LETTERBOXING
SPECIAL USE PERMIT CONDITIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
DEFINITION AND/OR CODE REFERENCE
Cache or Geocache - a hidden container typically holding a pen/
pencil,
logbook, and trinkets.
Geocaching - a treasure hunt which involves using a Global
Positioning
System (GPS) unit, map coordinates, and clues posted on geocaching
websites to find the location of a hidden container.
Letterbox - a hidden container typically holding a rubber stamp and a
logbook.
Letterboxing - a treasure hunt which involves using clues posted on
letterboxing websites to find the location of a hidden container.
Multi-cache - a series of caches in which one container is located by
using information found in the previous container.
3 CSR 10-11.110 General Provisions. (1) The following activities are
allowed on department areas only where and as authorized by this
chapter or by signs and area brochures or by a special use permit
issued by the area manager; swimming, sailboarding, sailboating,
skateboarding, boating, entry on areas closed to public use,
bicycling, camping, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, removal of
water, commercial use, vending, fires outside of designated camping
areas, rock collecting, digging and other soil disturbance, field
trials, horseback riding, ranging of horses and other livestock,
possession of pets and hunting dogs, caving, rock climbing,
rappelling, paint-balling, scuba diving, water skiing, geocaching and
letterboxing, the use and possession of vehicles and aircraft, the
use
of decoys, and the use or construction of blinds and tree stands.
INFORMATION (from the applicant)
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates for the proposed
container location Written description of the proposed container
location, if a GPS location is not available Written description of
the proposed container and initial contents.
CONSIDERATIONS
1. Primary public uses are fishing, hunting, nature observation, and
conservation education.
Primary public uses are encouraged on all Department areas, with few
exceptions. Other public uses of Department areas may be appropriate
and are evaluated locally using statewide Public Use Guidelines.
Geocaching and letterboxing are "other" uses in which the public may
enjoy and learn about fish, forest, and wildlife resources. Area
managers must consider and balance site-specific natural resources
management, primary public uses, and staff time necessary to monitor
the activity. As with any "other" public use, geocaching/letterboxing
will not be appropriate on every area.
2. A Special Use Permit is required for geocaching/letterboxing to
control potential user conflicts, and to enable area managers to
ensure that the container is safe and family-friendly.
3. Natural Areas are specially-designated areas that may be contained
within a Conservation Area or on their own through public or private
ownership. Natural Areas represent the natural character, diversity
and ecological processes of Missouri's native landscapes.
Containers may be placed on many, but not all Natural Areas owned or
managed by MDC.
Following is a list of areas on which geocaches/letterboxes may be
permitted:
- Barn Hollow NA
- Big Buffalo Creek Forest NA
- Bradyville NA
- Brickyard Hill Loess Mound NA
- Brush Creek NA
- Bryant Creek NA
- Buffalo Hills NA
- Burr Oak Woods NA
- Caney Mountain NA
- Castor River Shut-ins NA
- Danville Glades NA
- Dark Hollow NA
- Diamond Grove Prairie NA
- Donaldson Point NA
- Dupont NA
- Eck Memorial NA
- Elmslie Forest NA
- Engelmann Woods NA
- Golden Seal NA
- Grand Bluffs NA
- Hughes Mountain NA
-Indian Trail NA
- McCormack Loess Mounds NA
- Morris Prairie NA
- Osage Prairie NA
- Paint Brush Prairie NA
- Pawnee Prairie NA
- Pelican Island NA
- Pipestem Hollow NA
- Poplar Bluff Forest NA
- Prairie Slough NA
- Quercus Flatwoods NA
- Reifsnider Forest NA
- Royal Gorge NA
- Spring Creek Gap Glades NA
- Spring's End Forest NA
- St. Francis River NA
- St. Francois Mountains NA
- Star School Hill Prairie NA
- Stegall Mountain NA
- Sunklands NA
- Taberville Prairie NA
- Weldon Spring Hollow NA
- Whetstone Creek NA
- Yellow Creek NA
4. Ensure that an individual is identified on the Special Use Permit
(SUP) as the responsible permit holder, not just a group or
organization.
5. Area managers should check containers upon initial placement to
ensure that (a) it is properly labeled with SUP number (create
number/id record), (b) it is located in a safe, appropriate place,
and
(c) its contents are safe and family-friendly. Area managers may
consider either taking a digital photo of the in-place container, or
requiring the permittee to do so as a condition of the permit.
6. Area managers should monitor permitted containers at a frequency
that allows the identification of resource damage/management issues,
such as a trail being developed. Containers should be removed or
relocated before significant resource damage occurs.
7. Area managers should monitor the area to be aware of any
unauthorized containers. Upon discovery of an unauthorized container,
the area manager should coordinate with the Conservation Agent to
have
a seizure tag placed on the site before confiscating the illegal
container, then use Protection Division guidelines to document and
process the illegally placed container (similar to when unlabeled
deer
stands or traps are found).
CONDITIONS (In addition to the 10 standard conditions in the Special
Use Permit)
11. Containers may not be placed in sensitive archaeological,
historical, or ecological areas such as historic buildings, caves,
glades, or locations that contain rare plant species. Permittee must
consult area manager regarding the possibility of such sites before
placing the container.
12. Multi-containers are limited to three (3) total locations on one
conservation area, but are considered as one container requiring only
one permit.
13. The permittee is limited to a maximum of two (2) permits at any
given time on a specific conservation area.
14. The permittee is required to clearly label the container with the
Special Use Permit number.
Unlabeled containers will be considered unauthorized, and will be
confiscated and reported to the local Conservation Agent.
15. Permittee accepts the possibility that a container may be stolen,
damaged or destroyed by other area users, or as a result of common
natural resource management activities, such as prescribed burns.
16. The permittee will follow up to ensure that all communication
regarding the existence and location of the container includes a
reference/hotlink to http://mdc.mo.qov/18290.
17. The permittee is responsible for checking the container and its
contents at least once every two months to ensure that its contents
are family-friendly and do not contain food, alcohol, drugs,
firearms,
or dangerous items. The permittee must notify the area manager if a
container is missing or is removed prior to the permit expiration
date.
18. Permittee accepts that the area manager may remove the container
if it becomes unsightly, the surrounding natural resources are
adversely affected, or the container contains items that are not
family-friendly.
19. No digging or disruption of soil or vegetation is permitted when
placing a container.
Lifting or moving rocks is prohibited.
20. Containers may not be placed in locations that could potentially
endanger those searching for them, e.g., on cliffs or bluffs, in or
near bodies of water, or in areas prone to frequent flooding.
21. Geocaching/letterboxing permits are valid for a maximum period of
one year from the approval date. Prior to the end of the permit
period, the permittee is responsible for contacting the area manager
if s/he desires to renew the permit for an additional year. Area use
and management, environmental conditions, container location, visitor
impacts, and requests from others will be evaluated when considering
renewal requests. Failure to contact the area manager to renew a
permit will result in removal of the container(s).
