NPS Policy on GPS Usage

[RichardM]

The NPS has just issued an update to their policy on GPS activities (Geocaching, etc).

http://www.nps.gov/policy/GPSguidance.pdf

[STARLITDARKNESS3]

Thanks for the update....

[RichardM]

I hadn't heard of GPS Disc Golf (aka Geospatial Disc Golf) until reading that document. 

[presidio]

The NPS has just issued an update to their policy on GPS activities (Geocaching, etc).

This brings to mind a very old cartoon (70s) that showed a Corps of Engineers supervisor bursting through a door that said (in reverse, on the glass) 'Dam Building Division'. The caption said 'Look lively men, our topographic mapping division has located a stream without a dam'.

Updating this to the NPS.....'Look lively men, our policy branch has found an activity we haven't yet thrown an excess of regulations over'.

I especially like the part where they are encouraged to talk to each other internally to find out that one hand hasn't done something the other doesn't know about. That's real coordination.

They just can't have the unwashed masses doing something without express permission.

[badknees]

The NPS has just issued an update to their policy on GPS activities (Geocaching, etc).

This brings to mind a very old cartoon (70s) that showed a Corps of Engineers supervisor bursting through a door that said (in reverse, on the glass) 'Dam Building Division'. The caption said 'Look lively men, our topographic mapping division has located a stream without a dam'.

Updating this to the NPS.....'Look lively men, our policy branch has found an activity we haven't yet thrown an excess of regulations over'.

I especially like the part where they are encouraged to talk to each other internally to find out that one hand hasn't done something the other doesn't know about. That's real coordination.

They just can't let Guess we can't have the unwashed masses doing something without express permission.

In general the regs are implemented to protect the resources......However............. I know there is somebody out there trying to figure how much to charge for and what needs to be on the permit.

[RichardM]

...
Updating this to the NPS.....'Look lively men, our policy branch has found an activity we haven't yet thrown an excess of regulations over'.

I especially like the part where they are encouraged to talk to each other internally to find out that one hand hasn't done something the other doesn't know about. That's real coordination.

They just can't have the unwashed masses doing something without express permission.

It all goes back to the conflicting NPS goals of providing for both recreation and preservation.  In this case, there have numerous instances at national parks of geocaches being in sensitive areas with resulting damages.  The park personnel need to be advised of any activities which could lead to destruction or degradation of resources.  Doesn't mean they're going to outlaw or over-regulate every new activity us tourists come up with, but they do need to be prepared to address them.  If we could all agree to not provide a need for resources to be protected, the NPS wouldn't have nearly as much work to do.

[STARLITDARKNESS3]

I have participated in 'searching' for geocaches (not in NP) and have found that, at least the ones I have found, there is no damage to the resources... Not much different than placing a sign into the ground that says,,, 'hey, look here'   At any rate, I don't mind that they are not allowed in Big Bend, the virtual caches are pretty much what we do here on this site....  we share locations of great experiences with each other...   

[Casa Grande]

.....virtual caches...   

hm, good one

[STARLITDARKNESS3]

.....virtual caches...   

hm, good one

ha, yea, VBB