----- Original Message -----

From: TeamShack

To: azgeocaching@listserv.azgeocaching.com

Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 10:24 PM

Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Tucson Mountain Park

Friends,

It recently came to my attention that Pima County Parks and Recreation has put a ban on caches within the boundries of the Tucson Mountain Park.  I’ve never been one to sit by and have things like this go by without finding out the source of the problem so I sent off a letter which follows.

 

Hello,

My name is Scott and I have been GeoCaching for eight years now.  I was recently told that GeoCaching is not allowed in the Tucson Mountain Park and am writing to find out why this is the case.

 

One of the largest reasons I like to GeoCache is that it gives me the opportunity to visit areas that I would otherwise have never seen.  GeoCaching has taken me to many spots with breath taking views, natural beauty, and sites of historical  significance.  For me, caching is a family event.  Every time we go caching, it gets the kids away from video games, and me some much needed exercise.  Geocachers are very active in a practice we call CITO or Cache In Trash Out.  It seems that everywhere you go these days, you will find the trash of others tossed on the ground.  We hike in to the cache, and pick up trash as we hike back out. 

 

Another aspect of GeoCaching is that we strive to make as little impact on the environment as we can.  Follow established trails, don’t disturb wildlife or plant life.

 

With values such as this, it is difficult to understand why we are being denied the use of these public lands while others are allowed.  I would like to know the reasoning behind the ban on GeoCaching in the Tucson Mountain Park, and would request that this limitation be reviewed and removed.

 

I got a reply right away and you can read it for yourself.

 

Because of past cases of resource damage and safety concerns, Geocaching has never been formally allowed in Pima County Parks. We have only aggressively enforced this prohibition where we find caches that have been located in places that are, or may potentially, damage park resources, create new undesignated trails or create safety issues accessing the cache. The Geocaching community has not approached us at Tucson Mountain Park with Geocache site location requests in past. 

 

We are looking at revising Park Rules and are considering a new Rule specific to Geocaching that would only allow it to occur if cache locations are approved by NRPR prior to placement.

 

When done responsibly and with knowledge/permission of the land owner, Geocaching can be a legitimate activity on park lands. Most Geocachers do have a strong land ethic, unfortunately, not all do. As is often the unfortunate case, public agencies must regulate for the irresponsible user and not the responsible one.

 

I hope this explains our position

 

Kerry Baldwin

Natural Resource Division Manager

 

Once again, I replied to Mr. Baldwin right away with the following...

 

Mr. Baldwin,

Thank you for the prompt reply.  I agree with you that not all Geocachers have the strong land ethic, but that can also be said of other land users unfortunately.  We have rules on where caches can and cannot be placed, and one or two individuals in each state that are responsible for approving cache locations to ensure that natural resources are preserved and safety standards are followed.  It would be very easy to have those reviewers ensure that the cache locations have been approved by NRPR prior to being approved and published on the GeoCaching web site. 

 

I would be more than happy to help facilitate the approval or removal of current cache locations in all Pima County Parks as well as work with you to ensure that all future locations are approved prior to being placed if you do indeed revise the Park Rules specific to GeoCaching.

 

I provided my contact information to Mr. Baldwin and he called me within about two hours of me sending the email.  He took me up on the offer and will be inviting me to present at the next meeting where the rules are being discussed for revision.

 

Rather than mounting an army and trying to corner them on this one, lets try to open up caching by being responsible concerned advocates.  I will continue to keep the community updated on this issue and would appreciate comments, suggestions that anyone may have.

 

Scott of TeamShack

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