[Az-Geocaching] Our Day in Tonto revisited

[Ken]

Libby and I went as land stewards to the conservation law enforcement
seminar held in Prescott Today. Approximately 100-150 officers from Game &
Fish, and various park rangers from the state attended.While there the
instructors began discussing Geocaching and how it has had a negative impact
on some archeological sites. My belief is that they formed these opinions
based upon the poorly written article in the Arizona Repulsive.

During this seminar I was able to speak to the various instructors and
educate them about our hobby. As a result they gave me some time to speak to
the group and give an impromptu presentation about Geocaching.  I encouraged
the members to check the website and address any of their concerns through
the internet. After making my presentation I had several members approach me
and said that they had changed their minds and do not consider it as serious
a threat as they had been led to believe. I think I left them with a
positive impression.

The archeological community does have legitimate concerns about placing
caches in archeological sites.The consensus of the archeologists is that
placing caches near these sites is extremely damaging. I have learned that
moving objects, i.e.rocks & stuff while hunting for a cache, can destroy the
historical significance of the site. There are severe criminal and civil
penalties that can be assessed if damage is done to these sites. Since there
are many unpublished archeological sites throughout the state I encouraged
the members of the Conservation Law Enforcement community to log on the
Geocaching web site to check there respective areas for caches that may be
placed, or near unknown archeological sites. If you happen to get an e-mail
from one of them requesting you remove a cache, please do so. I believe the
majority of them left with a more positive outlook about our hobby.

Also, I had the opportunity to speak to a Sergeant with the Navajo Nation
Police Department. He told me that they will not allow any geocaches on
their lands. If you are caught on their lands without a permit you can be
arrested. This is just a reminder to please not place any caches on tribal
lands.

It still amazes me how much damage one poorly written and researched
newspaper article can cause.

Ken
WhereRwee?
A.K.A.
Geocaching Land Steward ;)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Team Tierra Buena" <teamtierrabuena@earthlink.net>
To: <listserv@azgeocaching.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 5:41 PM
Subject: RE: [Az-Geocaching] Our Day in Tonto revisited


> > My point is why hasn't like anyone who knows the complete list of
> caches in
> > the Wilderness Area done that????? or why didn't the Rangers do that
> when
> > they got the Coords for the Caches???
>
> Most cachers would rather be caching than playing Cache Cop. And I doubt
> anyone knows the "complete list of caches in the Wilderness Area". And
> even if they did, someone else will come along and place a new one, just
> as happened here.
>
> Understandably, I think, the Rangers couldn't care less whether anyone
> mistakenly goes to the cache site or not, as long as there's no cache
> there when they arrive. They don't understand how the game is played,
> nor do they want to or have the time to. It's not their job. Granted,
> they're probably not thinking about the potential for extra traffic or
> someone tramping about in the site area looking for something that isn't
> there. More likely they figure if they just remove it, word will get out
> quickly enough and people will stop going to the site. That strategy
> worked rather well in the case of the original Superstition caches they
> confiscated.
>
> Steve
> Team Tierra Buena
>
>
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