Army Corps Of Engineers Geocaching Policy

[Buy_The_Tie]

Have a look-see…

[greyhounder]

Geocaching in the CFR — that is too funny!!!

😆

Bec

[bnb]

I get errors trying to read this. Care to enlighten me?

Thanks.

[Cheesehead Dave]

So, a government body that has no problem with geocaching.

Someone needs to hook them up with the NPS… 😉

[cheezehead]

Ummmm. I’m not getting anything either……

[Cheesehead Dave]

@cheezehead wrote:

Ummmm. I’m not getting anything either……

Greyhounder? Mac? Check.
Me? Mac? Check.

What are y’all using to open it up?

[bnb]

Click on download. Adobe PDF reader tries to open. Errors out.

[Cheesehead Dave]

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
441 G STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20314-1000
CECW-CO
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER, MAJOR SUBORDINATE COMMANDS AND
DISTRICT COMMANDS, ATTN: CHIEFS, CONSTRUCTION- OPERATIONS DIVISIONS
SUBJECT: Geocaching at Civil Works Projects
1. Purpose. Geocaching may be allowed on public lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 (CFR 36) and any
applicable State or local rules and regulations, provided the activity is conducted in a non-
obtrusive manner. Geocaching can be an appropriate and compatible recreational activity on
public land and water, as long as common sense guidelines are followed. Some Corps projects
have used the popularity of the sport as an innovative tool to distribute information, such as
water safety, in geocaches on Corps-managed lands.
2. What is Geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor adventure activity for users of global
positioning systems (GPS). Individuals and organizations set up geocaches (caches) all over the
world and share their locations, often through the Internet. Numerous websites are available,
with one of the most popular being httr,://www.neocachina.com/. GPS users can then find the
caches through published coordinates and site descriptions. Most commonly, a geocache is an
object or container holding small objects for exchange. The finder may remove the enclosed
“prize” and leave another, sign a logbook, or utilize a number of variations. Some “caches” are
simply locations with unusual vegetation or unique land features the cache owner wants the
cache hunter to experience (virtual caches). There is also a derivative form of the sport that
searches for published coordinates of an existing historical monument, plaque, or benchmark.
While geocaching has become the standard name for the sport, other terms include Navicaching,
GPS Orienteering, GPS Stash Hunt, and Benchmarking.
3. Policy.. In accordance with 36 CFR 327.19 or 327.21, District Engineers, or their designees,
may develop permit systems or policies to track and/or control placement of geocaches on
project lands, provided this use does not conflict with project missions or security. Simplicity
and ease of compliance should be emphasized. Information needed from the proposed geocache
owner will include the cache coordinates (location), histher name, and histher address and phone
number. The intent of collecting this information is to keep track of the location and number of
caches on the project and to contact the owner if the cache needs to be removed. During
application, the project should ask the proposed cache owner to provide a current picture form
of identification with an address to confirm the applicant’s identity. This information is
voluntary, however the applicants request can be denied for failure to comply with the
information request. The project is required to store this information in a secure manner.
Geocache objects or containers should be clearly identified as such when placed on public lands.
Transparent containers are required, due to homeland security issues. Caches should not contain
alcohol, illicit, or other inappropriate materials. It is the due diligence responsibility of the
Project Operations Manager to work with the cache owners and jointly conduct periodically
cache inspections to insure they are not being used for illicit and/or inappropriate materials.
a. Individuals or groups that participate in geocaching activities on Corps projects must
assume responsibility for coordinating these activities with the appropriate Corps project. This
will help prevent potential conflicts with management activities, such as controlled bums,
timber sales, wildlife planting activities, etc.
4. Restrictions. It is the due diligence responsibility of the Project Operations Manager to
establish designated areas where geocaching will be allowed and other areas where it will be
restricted. Geocaching activities will not be allowed to occur in restricted areas where there
could be conflicts with project missions, project security, or the safety of the general public.
Examples where geocaching would not be allowed include but are not limited to:
a. In designated restricted areas.
b. If the cache, directly or indirectly, would negatively affect ecologically, environmentally,
or socially sensitive areas (threatened or endangered species, critical habitats, cultural resources,
tribal lands without consent, etc.).
c. In areas that may pose safety risks, such as unstable banks, cliffs, or other potential
hazards.
d. Where geocaching activities may interfere with established public uses, such as
launching, picnicking, swimming, etc.
e. Below normal operating pool levels.
f. Where geocaching activities may interfere with the operation of the project.
g. In areas where the security of the project and/or public safety would be at risk.
5. Management Considerations. Management considerations at individual projects may
require other permanent or temporary measures to ensure that geocaching activities are
compatible with other project uses. For example, a project may need to prohibit geocaching
during active management in an area for timber harvest, prescribed burning, hunting, or other
wildlife management activities. Some projects may want to encourage and actively participate
in geocaching activities to promote the Corps message in a positive way.
a. In certain instances, it may be necessary to issue a Special Event Permit in compliance
with Title 36, 327.21. Conditions that may warrant the need for a Special Event Permit may
include one-time activities that are publicly advertised, commercial in nature, involve large
numbers of participants, provide cash prizes or other significant awards, have the potential to
conflict with other uses of an area, etc.
b. If a cache must be removed from public lands for operational, safety, environmental,
cultural, or other reason, a reasonable effort should be made to contact the cache owner and
request removal. If the owner cannot be found, or the cache is not removed within a reasonable
time, the cache may be removed and impounded as abandoned property, under 36 CFR 327.15.
6. Summaw. In general, geocaching can be a fin and appropriate recreational activity at Corps
projects, provided the security or missions of the project are not compromised. It provides an
opportunity for positive interactions and partnerships with local groups involved in this activity.
Monitoring of web sites and communication and participation with these groups can form
healthy relationships with benefits to all involved. Working with these groups can prevent
undesired behavior and promote the Corps as a willing partner. Regulation should be based on
common sense needs of specific projects or regions, with minimum permitting burden on the
recreating public.
7. Point of Contact. The point of contact is Mr. Tim Toplisek, CECW-SAD, (202) 761-4259.
FOR THE COMMANDER
MICHAEL B. WHITE
Chief, Operations
Directorate of Civil Works
CECW-CO
SUBJECT: Geocaching at Civil Works Projects

[bnb]

Oh, and a stupid PC.

[greyhounder]

@Cheesehead Dave wrote:

@cheezehead wrote:

Ummmm. I’m not getting anything either……

Greyhounder? Mac? Check.
Me? Mac? Check.

What are y’all using to open it up?

Bec

[hogrod]

I read this yesterday before there were any posts and had no problems opening this pdf in the adobe reader 7.0, maybe the people having issues are using an older version or different program.

Alittle side note….. the othe day I downloaded the file off here showing the location of wifi hotspots. I believe it was a GPX, I just wanted to view these on a map and see them, when I tried to open that file in mapsource I got errors. I was able to open into gsak and export a new GPX file and open that in mapsource just fine.

just tired again and got same error with that file again, its located here.
http://wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4427&highlight=wifi

[Author]

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