Milwaukee County Caches

[kansas64]

A reviewer made me aware of the following link:

http://www.milwaukee.gov/GeoGuidelinesPlacer22359.htm

As you can see these are the guidelines for caches in Milwaukee County Parks. As you can see by the section Moving or Removing Caches ongoing efforts in Cache Rescue may violate these guidelines. Additionally, and more importantly it indicates there is to be a 3 year lifespan for a cache (note I know this document is at least 18 months old and there is no date of publication on the website) so the question is are older caches in these areas in violation?

I bought this to the attention of several board members and got anything from “I will look into it” to “So” to “We would hate to ruin things in Milwaukee and so we will not upset the applecart and ask”

Given this how would you if elected choose to handle this issue?

[K0rpl]

The reviewers have had conversations with Milwaukee County Parks, and they results have been very favorable. I feel that this is a Reviewer situation to handle, and not a WGA Board member.

In reading the guidelines, they do not appear to be that far off of what Geocaching.com states in their cache placing guidelines.

I am sure, that if after the three year time period, if you discussed it witht eh parks Department, there would be no problem in allowing it to remain,

[Team Black-Cat]

If older caches are in violation, I’m not sure how this is an issue for the WGA BOD. I don’t even think it’s a reviewer issue. It seems like it’s more a contract between individual cache hiders and the Park Department.

Cache Rescue seems to be similar in that the one doing the rescue should fill out the required form. Once again, not an issue for the BOD or cache reviewers. It could, however, be noted somewhere on the cache rescue page.

[-cheeto-]

Thanks for sharing this county’s cache placement policy with me.

I agree with Team Black Cat’s response especially about the cache rescue and adding information such as this to the submitted rescue mission, if known. Since the LCG game admin and primary mission submitter is up for BOD election, I’m sure he’ll see this 😀

As for older caches that may be in violation to this policy, isn’t it up to the land manager to address that concern with the cache owner in violation or for them to contact Groundspeak? Typically that’s what happens when a cache owner has not gotten proper permission to place. To expect our WGA BOD to address this or even our reviewers is probably unrealistic.

If you are concerned about a specific Milwaukee county cache and it’s permission or impact on the land, you could contact the owner and send them a link to this policy page as a courtesy.

[Team Deejay]

As someone who has spent a lot of time working with this particular parks department, I can tell you that they will not object to geotrash being removed. They are really just trying to get notified when the cache gets archived. They are not necessarily looking to get older caches removed (I asked). In fact, the new guidelines (not yet on the website, but shared with the public at the excellent event held by Pawn of Chaos) include renewable permits and cache numbers assigned to each new permit for easier tracking. The current policy seems to be working well with quick turnarounds on permits and suggestions given to those few who manage to try to put a cache where they don’t want them. Overall, this partnership seems to be working well.

[thepharmgirl]

Q: Milwaukee County Parks has clear guidelines that require a written form to be submitted prior to both cache placement and removal, as well as a 3-year limit on each cache. Does cache rescue violate these guidelines and what, if anything, should be done about caches that are over the 3-year limit? How would you respond to these questions if brought to you?

A: Well, Dean, I think Deejay just answered it all for you regarding Milwaukee County’s policy so I am going to leave that part alone. I guess we just needed to know the right person to ask. But why wasn’t the board able to help guide you to him? And who is in charge of updating the guidelines to make it available to all?!

I think this brings up a really good follow-up question:

How do you think the WGA can be a better source of information regarding specific cache hiding regulations?

On the board (unless there is large negative feedback about this idea), I would be willing to spearhead a project with willing WGA members to create a database under the “Hiding a Cache” category that would include updated cache hiding regulations, necessary submission forms, and contact information for EVERY Wisconsin County. I know that Washington County Parks want this (they were very angry to learn that geocaches were placed in Sandy Knoll without their permission), but I do not currently see a link for Washington County.

Yes, I know it may “upset the apple cart” and yes, it scares me that they’ll say NO and then what??! I’ve been there as a cache hider! But when I think about it, it’s also irresponsible to NOT ask permission. I think it’s crucial for the WGA to build and maintain strong relationships with various county and state park officials and for us to promote a positive image of geocaching so that we can continue to enjoy caching in the parks.

[-cheeto-]

I would be willing to spearhead a project with willing WGA members to create a database under the “Hiding a Cache” category that would include updated cache hiding regulations, necessary submission forms, and contact information for EVERY Wisconsin County.

Excellent Idea Anne. If were building a database, why stop at County? There are city regulations out there as well. Also, if we know of specific land manager contact information within the State DNR that could also go into this database of information.

The toughest part to an idea like this is keeping it updated. But with 900+ active members in our organization you would think keeping things like this updated would be possible.

This would be an excellent way for the WGA and our website presence to help “work with land owners/managers on geocaching policies”… one of the primary purposes of the WGA and part of our “mission statement”.

[Barry Butrymowicz]

Ive seen on other state association websites, where they have had individual county regulations posted, only problem with this is the new cacher that is not yet a part of the origination, but a email from the reviewer, with a link to the info, could get new members to join the WGA

[thepharmgirl]

@sweetlife wrote:

Ive seen on other state association websites, where they have had individual county regulations posted, only problem with this is the new cacher that is not yet a part of the origination, but a email from the reviewer, with a link to the info, could get new members to join the WGA

Right, that’s what I was thinking. 😀

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