The Geocache Identification Form* is an application for registration and placement of a geocache on lands administred by the DCNR-Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry. Please supply all the information requested. You must present the form in person to the State Park or State Forest office where you'd like to place the geocache. The geocache site location is subject to review by the Park Manager/District Forester or designee. Completion of a Geocache Agreement Form is required following review of your information.

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BACKGROUND

Geocaching has become a new endeavor on Pennsylvania’s State Park and State Forest lands.  The idea is to have individuals set up caches throughout the state and share the locations of these caches through the use of coordinates and clues.  Once found, a cache may provide a wide variety of exchangeable items, clues or scenic/historic sites. The Geocache community uses the Internet extensively for posting cache locations.  The following is a list of caches/waymarks found in our State Parks/State Forest Lands and in need of Department approval.  A link has also been provided to help define each type of cache.

The following guidelines apply to all geocaches on State Park and State Forest lands:

• Placement of geocaches on lands administered by the DCNR - Bureau of State Parks / Bureau of Forestry requires authorization of the Park Manager / District Forester or designee. This authorization will be considered through a review process, including a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory search (PNDI) that insures its location is compatible with other park and forest activities.
  
  
• Virtual caches will no longer be handled as geo-caches, but rather as waymarks.  Discretion must be used by the Park Manager/District Forester to determine whether or not the site of the waymark is a hardened surface due to existing foot traffic or if the waymark is located in an ecological sensitive area in need of protection.  A waypoint located in a compacted area will be exempt from an agreement and will be handled at the park/forest level.  However, if the waymark presents potential environmental impact, department approval must be sought and a PNDI search must be conducted.
  
  
• A geocache contact person responsible for necessary upkeep of the site must be identified prior to approval by the Park Manager / District Forester or designee.
  
  
• There should be no earth disturbance or vegetative impact to any approved site. Nor should the cache be readily discernable by the general public.
  
  
• All cache seekers, or cache owners must abide by park/forestry hours and all other park/forestry rules and regulations.
  
  
• Cache(s) shall not be placed in a plastic (PVC) pipe.  Park Managers/District Foresters should use their discretion to determine what is a permissible container to house the cache(s) contents
  
  
• The cache may not be placed within Natural Areas, Penn Nursery perimeter fence, seed orchards, or Wild Plant Sanctuaries, or on stream banks, riparian zones, wetlands, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, exemplary natural communities, ecologically sensitive areas, unique geological features, dam structures, or unsafe areas.  You must contact the Park Manager / District Forester for possible additional restrictions or questions concerning the proposed location.
  
  
• A cache may remain at the approved site for no more than three years at which time it must be removed, the site restored to its original condition, and the Park Manager / District Forester informed in writing of the removal. This will control cache abandonment and assist in preventing renegade trail development to the site.  Certain conditions may constitute the re-approval of an existing cache that has been on State Park or State Forest lands for three years.  If the cache remains a viable attribute to the visitor experience and does not have a current or foreseeable environmental impact on the site, it can be considered for re-approval.  Park Managers/District Foresters should use their discretion to determine if the cache(s) meets the aforementioned conditions.
  
  
• Unauthorized geocaches on State Park or State Forest lands will be removed and treated as abandoned property, and the responsible person may be cited for littering.
  
  
• The placement of a “Premium Member only Geocache” will not be permitted on State Park/State Forest lands.  These caches require a monthly fee to access their coordinates and therefore make it impossible for the Department to monitor their locations.  All caches on public lands shall be available to the public without a fee.
  
  
• Responsible party shall delete site location(s) from all publications and/or website(s) within seven days of removal.