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The U.S. Forest Service is enacting two closures to better protect special areas and historical artifacts from damage.
The first order prohibits leaving geocaches in Wildernesses, Experimental Forests or Wild and Scenic River corridors. The second limits the possession or use of metal detectors on National Forest lands.
Under these closures, geocachers are still allowed to advertise and seek out “virtual” caches in these areas - virtual caches reference already existing features such as waterfalls and scenic vistas.


One popular area that is affected by this rule is the Bent Creek Experimental Forest near Asheville. A list of all affected areas is posted on the forest website (www.cs/unca/nfsnc)
The Forest Service said in a statement that they're implementing the order to protect wilderness and avoid interaction with research activities.
Federal regulations already require geocachers get permission from the local ranger district office prior to leaving a cache anywhere on the forest.


The agency said that an unmarked/unapproved geocache was left in an
ammunition box not far from Asheville. The box appeared to be a threat to public safety and cost law enforcement personnel a lot of time investigating it, according to the forest service.
The second rule prohibits possession or use of metal detectors outside of designated 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, according to the forest service.


Several forest areas have been identified that will remain open to recreational metal detecting for modern items like coins – primarily swimming beaches. These include Lake Powhatan Swim Beach, Jackrabbit Swim beach, Cheoah Point Swim Beach, Flanners Beach (Croatan NF) and Kings Mountain Point Beach (Uwharrie NF).


Permission for one-time use of metal detectors to help find lost personal property could still be granted by Forest Officers.- story by Asheville Citizen-Times

Thanks Stew for the article