An area that looks like wilderness and one designated as such, are the same but incredibly different. Motorized vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas, and even emergency vehicles (helicopters, for example) require special permission to enter the area below a certain elevation and then land. [quote] What is "Wilderness"? "Wilderness", as we use the term, is in the context of The Wilderness Act of 1964 which is found at Wilderness.net , a good source for educational material. Quoting from Wilderness.net: "Wilderness is the land that is - rare, wild places where one can retreat from civilization, reconnect with the Earth, and find healing, meaning and significance." The following is excerpted from the Wilderness Act: A Wilderness... is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor and does not remain, an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable...". Also excerpted from the act: "Prohibited Uses... No commercial enterprise, no permanent road, no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or motorboats, no landing aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation...". http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS &sec=legisAct Brian Team A.I. _____ From: az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com [mailto:az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com] On Behalf Of Esteban Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 10:10 AM To: listserv@azgeocaching.com Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Caching Group Do you have a link I can read up more on this? I will do a seach myself, but I am curious what "wilderness" means because I can think of MANY caches here in Tucson that would seem to be part of the "wilderness." Please excuse my ignorance and thank you for your patience. I am very, very new to this all. - Esteban (bakura82) On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:06 AM, Brian Casteel wrote: Any area designated as "wilderness", caches are not allowed. Per the Wilderness Act of 1964, such items are deemed trash and thus, are not permitted. Brian Team A.I. _____ From: az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com [mailto:az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com] On Behalf Of Esteban Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 10:03 AM To: listserv@azgeocaching.com Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Caching Group Shadowace, I am new to this all and I really appreciate this information you posted because I honestly had no idea how much trouble the BLM says we should be going to. So, for example, if someone hides a parking lot cache at ABC Supermarket, are they required to contact the BLM first and also the owner(s) of that land in which the parking lot resides for permission? Wow. Also, you said "No wilderness area". What exactly do you mean by this? - Esteban (bakura82) _____ Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 18:11:44 -0700 From: shadowace.az@gmail.com To: listserv@azgeocaching.com Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Caching Group Another thing that was tried as a reason for the last attempt was to make a unified front of cachers to represent ourselves with land managers in regards to placing caches legally with permission. Many land managers are ready to see Geocaching outlawed in this state as well as other states because people simply refuse to follow simple guidelines such as 'get permission' 'no tribal lands' 'no NPS lands' 'No Wilderness areas' Now you begin to create a governing body to organize all this together and form a groups to work on it. Many times it is a local group in the area of the person who gets it going who is then speaking for all cachers in the state. Do you really think you want to be the one going to the BLM and promising that every cache on BLM land will be placed only after obtaining permission from the BLM manager of the area? http://www.blm.gov/az/outrec/geocache.htm Arizona's BLM's Geocaching Game Rules * Identify proposed cache locations to the local BLM office before placing a cache * Do not place caches at archaeological sites * Obtain a BLM permit for any competitive events, contests for prizes, paid participation, or caches hosted by commercial business * Advise BLM if you observe any misuse or abuse of a cache location Do you really want to be the one staking your word that everyone else is following the rules? Honest show of hands, how many truly get permission before placing a cache? I like the idea of a geocaching organization statewide however I also see truth in reality and know as long as groundspeak is open to everyone then many will not follow the rules and I for one no longer wish to stick my neck out with land managers. ~ShadowAce / Dirk ____________________________________________________________ Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching Arizona's Geocaching Resource http://www.azgeocaching.com