Coosa Valley Cachers

gridlox · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: WMA's

I was thinking that the WMA's had some specifications reguarding caching, but apprently it's basically up to the individual land owner or manager unless they are on state own lands. Unfortunately, those are prohibited.

This the word I got from Erik (one of our local cache approvers)

Quote:

The WMA’s don’t have consistant rules re. geocaches. WMA’s that are on state owned land prohibit them, unfortunately. Those in the Chattahoochee National Forest are ok with them, but they have to abide by the USFS rules. In the Dawson Forest near Dawsonville they’re prohibited in one WMA, but ok in another, again due to who owns the land.

Sand-Man · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

There actually are some rules concerning land usage and WMA's. Berry is a good example. The reason for the changes to the land usage policies started because the WMA folks didn't like Berry giving permission for folks to use land that they lease and control. The only reason that usage is allowed on the WMA area at Berry is because the WMA and Berry made an agreement to allow certain types of activities and Berry can not charge a fee as they did for many years with equestrian activities. There is a fellow at Berry (I think I sent Gridlox the name) who could give you some good firsthand information about WMA land rules and maybe even give you some contact information for someone with the WMA to contact. I’m finding out that some of these reviewers go on feelings instead of facts…..

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Sandy

sledgehampster · Site Admin Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 108

WMA leases the land from Berry. WMA has rules and regs but those are trumped by Berry as the land owner.
I am in contact with WMA over Berry, please be patient.

gridlox · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:59 am Post subject:

Sand-Man wrote:

The reason for the changes to the land usage policies started because the WMA folks didn't like Berry giving permission for folks to use land that they lease and control.

Where'd you get that info? Like Jackie said, Berry is the landowner, so they have the final say so on what does and doesn't happen on the property that the WMA leases from them. From all outward appearances it looks as if Berry & the WMA have a good relationship as far as what is allowed in what areas.

I've heard it "rumored", by more than a couple of folks, that Berry started looking at changing it's land use policies due to the horse riders and off road bicyclist not willing to stay on the common trails and creating their own trails where they were not supposed to be. Since there were really no designated trails, Berry really didn't have a leg to stand on to enforce where folks could and could not go. Other than just banning everyone that wasn't a student or faculty member. Now that the trail designations have been put into place they have at least a beginning to preserving the nature areas of the campus that were being destroyed by folks that thought they could just go wherever they wanted. Sad

The horse riders in particular were a big problem because they were taking their horses "into" the reservoir water to drink and cool down after the long trek to the top of the mountain. Since that is Berry's main water source I can definately see why they would be upset. Probably why the horse riders took the biggest hit when the designated trails were put into effect. I see on the designated horse trails that they aren't even allowed on the main trail to the reservoir now. Confused

Hiking/Running/Cycling share 40 miles of available trails while Horseback riding only gets 15 miles. Shocked

Ouch!
Considering Berry has a equestrian program, you would have thought they would have been more willing to accomodate more trails to the horse riders. Sad

As far as the comment about reviewers going on feelings rather than fact, I personally know Erik and can guarantee you that he would not just give us false info because he didn't care to find out the truth. Unfortunately, that may be the case out in your neck of the woods in OK, but I'll stand by any of our reviewers around here to be fair and honest. Wink

D-man

Sand-Man · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

I got the information from Berry College. Yes they own the land and they decided to lease a large portion of the property to the WMA folks. Who by the way, have a contract with Berry that gives them exclusive rights to the property. This is where Berry butted heads with the WMA. Berry was charging a fee from the equestrian folks to use trails that are on the land that the WMA leases. The problems with the reservoir were only a small part of the equestrian issues. One of the local Floyd Co. equestrian clubs was even advertising exclusive use of equestrian trials on Berry as part of their membership drive. The lease cost WMA a good sum of money and they don't take an encroachment of the contract very lightly. After much debate and deliberation with Berry the WMA decided through an agreement with Berry to allow usage of certain areas but could not charge a fee.. Hence the policy of charging 15 to 25 bucks a year per rider has been abandoned. Now all riders have to do is register. I got lots of useful information from Berry while I was there and I would encourage you and CVC to go over there and talk to Berry. I was pleasantly surprised at their willingness to share information and provide the background for the land usage policy changes.

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Sandy

Sand-Man · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

Actually Berry is looking at ways to restrict any access to the reservoir and not just the equestrian folks. Considering the way the world is changing and the potential threat I sure don't blame them. Anyone could walk right up and put anything they want in Berry's drinking water....

I've also heard first hand accounts of folks skinny dipping up there at night..... and having whoopee in the water.... and they were students...

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Sandy

Sand-Man · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

[quote="gridlox"]

Sand-Man wrote:

As far as the comment about reviewers going on feelings rather than fact, I personally know Erik and can guarantee you that he would not just give us false info because he didn't care to find out the truth. Unfortunately, that may be the case out in your neck of the woods in OK, but I'll stand by any of our reviewers around here to be fair and honest. Wink

D-man

I'm sure that reviewers are the same around the world and I am not going to speculate on their honesty and I don't mean to slam them, but it is evident by the listings being on the site that this rings true, someone did not do their homework. I'm sure they are good people but they screwed up... which is human... which means I'm human.. Shocked

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Sandy

sledgehampster · Site Admin Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 108

sledgehampster wrote:

WMA leases the land from Berry. WMA has rules and regs but those are trumped by Berry as the land owner.
I am in contact with WMA over Berry, please be patient.

To repeat the above. I am in contact with WMA that has jurisdiction over Berry. I have submitted some questions and am waiting for a reply. Please be patient and above all avoid personal attacks and flaming of other members regardless of differences of opinion...

Sand-Man · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject:

Well what fun would that be if we didn't jump in a big pile now and then....

I think it is great to contact as many organizations as possible about this issue, since it does seem to be an issue. All I have reported on this forum is what I was told by Berry. I still think it would be good to invite representatives from Berry and/or WMA to a meeting to speak and let them clear up any misinterpretations and answer questions.

When you get down to the bottom line though, it’s Berry’s rules that will have to followed regardless of what we think….

They negotiate the rules with the WMA before they go out to the public.

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Sandy