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Re: NPS regulations (was: Newbie Question)
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28796 by GoSox
Jul 13, 2006 3:07pm
Thread (disabled) Board
GoSox wrote:
Quote except that I can not find anything that tells me that the NPS has asked letterboxers not to plant them on *our* land.


Here is what I have discovered so far, in a very quick internet search. I'm sure there's quite a lot more out there, but I haven't yet found the specific section of NPS regulations that contains the letterbox/geocache prohibition. When I have a little more time, I'll go hunting on the NPS website and see if I can come up with it. Until then, here are a few specific mentions.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota):
"SECTION 2.22(a)(2) PROPERTY
... The practice of geocaching, letterboxing or similar activities are prohibited."

Prince William Forest Park (Virginia):
"36 CFR 2.22--PROPERTY
Only National Park Service approved “Geocache” or “Letterbox” sites are permitted. (Note: See the Visitor Center for coordinates for the approved Geocache site.) [Refer to Section 1.5(f)]"

BEAR FACTS
Planning Trends and Information from California State Parks February 2005 [newsletter]:
Locating a cache on National Park Service parkland is a violation of federal regulations established to protect fragile habitat and historic and cultural resources. Before placing a cache on State Park land or in a regional or local park, you should contact park personnel directly."

BOSTON GLOBE--Hikers, you've got mail!
By Ned Bristol, Globe Correspondent May 15, 2005:
"Government agencies have reacted to letterboxing in different ways. The state of Connecticut plants its own boxes to encourage people to take advantage of its 32 state forests. National Park Service lands, on the other hand, are generally off limits to letterboxing. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is developing guidelines for placing boxes on state lands."
Re: NPS regulations (was: Newbie Question)
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28837 by TheDreadPirateQueen
Jul 16, 2006 6:11pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Here is what I have discovered so far, in a very quick internet search. I'm sure there's quite a lot more out there, but I haven't yet found the specific section of NPS regulations that contains the letterbox/geocache prohibition. When I have a little more time, I'll go hunting on the NPS website and see if I can come up with it.


Go ahead and knock yourself out, but the NPS doesn't actually have a systemwide policy in place regarding geocaching or letterboxing. However, according to the Code of Federal Regulations, burying or abandoning personal property in national parks and forests is prohibited and is considered littering, and is thus a punishable offense. This is the regulation under which you will be cited if a park ranger discovers your letterbox in his or her National Park without having received permission.

SD