This in particular is the reason I'm glad that geocaching hasn't become anything like a national phenomenon. There are enough stashes in my area (Maryland) and as long as the number of participants is limited, it appears we're 'flying under the radar'. If millions of people were doing this, I'm sure there would be a lot of trampled over wilderness. As a Boy Scout of many years I know how to be kind to nature, so I'm glad the unmwashed multitudes are planted in front of the TV instead of caching. :)
Unless and until the (either state or federal) park service removes all caches on park lands, I'm hoping it's a 'live and let live' kind of activity. I don't plan on disturbing anything I wouldn't ordinarily disturb and I'm assuming other cachers are doing the same.
If someone is going to maintain that it's a 'criminal' activity, I'm going to take the position that I'm already a criminal. I speed. I don't always come to a complete stop at stop-signs. I jaywalk. I'll drive after consuming one or two glasses of wine with dinner. I've taped programs on Television and shown or even given them to my friends without express written permission. And... I geocache in national parks. The government has criminalized much of what I do almost every day.
This isn't to say that I think people should encroach on a bald eagle's protected habitat, but a geocache 20 feet off a marked trail? I don't believe I'm doing any harm, just like me driving 45 in a 40 isn't doing any harm.
That's just my opinion. Of course, I could be wrong.
Alex Johns
-----Original Message----- From: B. Hunt [mailto:patw@teleport.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 11:07 AM To: gpsstash@yahoogroups.com Subject: [gpsstash] National & State Parks OFF LIMITS!
Most of us realize that it is against the law to stash a cache in ANY national park.
Here in New York State, it is also agains the law to stash a cache in ANY state park. "Prohibited to leave any personal property...."
It might be advised to check the New Jersey laws as they affect Hi Point and Stokes Forest.
The topic was explicitly discussed as it pertains to geocaching at our local Department of Environment Control and they issued a department policy reenforcing the general state law.
Note, that Rocky River Cache (a beautiful hike and experience, by the way) is, under this provision, an illegal stash. In fact, the trail head is specifically posted as off-limits ANY trespassing from December 1 to March 31. Purpose here is to protect the winter habitat of the bald eagle. The state purchased the river valley specifically for this purpose.
I appreciate that this subject is extremely disappointing news for all geocaching and would be delighted to be corrected. Anyway, all responsible participants would do well to check on their local laws and regulations.
Please tell me I'm wrong! ....patrick
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