This Land, Your Land

North Carolina's national forests are proposing new limits on geocaching and metal detectors on forest lands as a means to protect special areas and historical artifacts from damage.

Geocaches, hidden containers that game participants try to find by using GPS coordinates or other navigational techniques, would be prohibited in wildernesses, experimental forests (such as the Bent Creek Experimental Forest near Asheville) or Wild and Scenic River corridors.

The second rule would limit possession or use of metal detectors to approved areas, primarily swimming beaches like those at Lake Powhatan in the Pisgah National Forest, Jackrabbit Mountain in the Nantahala, Flanners Beach in the Croatan, and Kings Mountain Point in the Uwharrie. Forest visitors could still get permission to use metal detectors to find lost personal property in other areas.

“Many archaeological sites on the forest have been significantly damaged from treasure hunting, by those who loot sites to sell artifacts, and by others just unaware that it’s illegal to disturb and remove artifacts from federal land without a research permit. Existing laws protect historical sites like early farms and logging camps as well as Native American artifacts,” Mary Noel, the forest lands and planning staff officer, said in a news release.

Comments on the proposed rule changes can be mailed before March 15 to the National Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, 28801, or sent to comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us.