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Post by NorthWes on Oct 6, 2009 9:21:53 GMT -9
A friendly reminder regarding several issues about caching on the Chugach National Forest: 1) Most of western Prince William Sound (the area east of Whittier, for practical purposes) has been declared a 'Wilderness Study Area' since the Exxon Valdez oil spill. As a result, those lands are off limits to cache placements (wilderness and caching are mutually exclusive on federal lands, generally...). The land manager section of the GeocacheAlaska website has a low-res map showing those area boundaries. Note that state parks in that area are open to placement possibilities. 2) A ranger just asked me to remind cachers about 36 CFR 216.31 - the regulation regarding where vehicles can be operated on the National Forest. His request came about because of my comments regarding illegal logging I'd observed and reported just 100 yds north of the 'Devils on Horseback' cache ( GC1FBRB - a dandy of a cache placed and well-maintained by Williwaw). Some folks are driving past the turnaround where Williwaw has told cachers to park and begin walking. That 'road' beyond the turnaround at the Devils Pass Trailhead is actually now just a fire trail, and driving on it subjects you to the possibility of a fine and jail time! Rangers will be aggressively patrolling near that cache looking for illegal firewood cutting right now, so avoid problems and don't drive where you shouldn't (and if you're not sure or the sign's missing - you're still liable, as you're supposed to check the access rules before you go) Here's the regulation: It is prohibited to possess or operate a motor vehicle on National Forest System lands on the CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST other than in accordance with these designations (CFR 261.13) Violators of 36 CFR 261.13 are subject to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both (18 U.S.C. 3571(e)).This prohibition applies regardless of the presence or absence of signs. The ranger staff of Glacier Ranger District (based in Girdwood) of the Chugach National Forest has visited many of the active caches on their part of the Forest, as part of their backcountry patrols. They welcome caching as an activity, as long as cachers keep their hides well-policed, don't create social trails, don't promote otherwise illegal activity, and continue to practice CITO. They have access to the geocaching.com website and this local website, monitoring the 'game' with a steward's eye as it impacts their land manager responsibilities. Be on your best behavior on Chugach National Forest lands to keep our good reputation intact!
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Post by ladybugkids on Oct 6, 2009 19:50:45 GMT -9
Thanks, NorthWes! I uploaded the Chugach National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps to the GeocacheAlaska! website here.
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Post by li1gray on Oct 11, 2009 19:49:32 GMT -9
NorthWes and LBK, Nice update on the requirements got home from MN and figured I could sit and do some extended reading on this area as well as reading the land manager page on the site, Thanks for the updates!
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