A lot of RV clubs are coming on board with the "Leave No Trace" Scheme and are urging RV'ers to be self contained when camping if possible. Some are also urging local councils to provide overnight parking on town showgrounds and other rest or free camping areas only to those who are fully self contained. What is the LNT? See this link for history;
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 18th of June 2009 05:11:02 PM
Basil Faulty said
05:33 PM Jun 18, 2009
I'm selfcontained, with our own shower, loo and clothes washer. We have found though that some parks are now putting a fee on campers if they DON'T use the parks facilities. The motive with some people will always be for their own profit at the expense of everything else, while offering platitudes about keeping the environment clean etc.... I take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints and though having a social evening around a campfire may sound nice it is not LNT....
Cruising Granny said
09:16 PM Jun 18, 2009
Vic, I think you're preaching to the converted.
"Leave No Trace is not a new concept". It's been around at least 30 years of my travels.
In fact it has become so apparent in many free parks and national parks no bins are provided, so visitors are "forced" to take their rubbish with them.
That's leave no trace.
If Councils provide any services they usually expect to be rewarded, even if it's only to cover cleaning costs.
You get what you pay for. You get nothing for nothing.
We are not an exclusive bretheren. Travellers and nomads have to do their share and pay their way, and leaving no trace and taking our rubbish away is a small fee to pay for the privilege of "free camping". Enjoy the lifestyle. Cheers Chris
Vic41 said
09:34 PM Jun 18, 2009
Hmmm......Many not converted either Granny (environmental vandals)........The move to join the scheme is more recent and it is being promoted that unless you have joined the scheme (membership fee applies) and display the LNT sticker you may be excluded by Councils from using some facilities they provide.
It is a code of conduct that you have to sign an application to join and to get your sticker (to be displayed on your RV and be part of it. Although the name is the same, LNT (see link http://www.lnt.org.au/ this has no connection to the CMCA Leave No Trace scheme which was devised by the CMCA and has spread to other caravan clubs etc.
See information on the link below, there is a lot more to this than you realize.
As well as reading the link above, these are the rules below for anyone that joins the scheme as a member;
1. To stay in any Rest Area for a maximum of 5 nights, unless otherwise posted, or for the period that the Accommodation Vehicle can be self contained. (If the vehicle capabilities are 2 days this will become the limit. If the vehicles capability is for longer than 5 days, 5 days shall be the limit, unless otherwise posted.) It is obvious that every user of an RV has differing demands of their RV and will use the facilities on board in a manner that suits their needs and travelling habits. For example, some users will require more in the way of water per day than others. The use of public facilities will also need to be taken into account in determining the capacity of an RV. It is therefore difficult to determine an exact amount of water that is required for any RV for a given period of time. If your RV has limited facilities, these limitations must be taken into account when staying in one location. It is incumbent on all users of the Leave No Trace scheme to honour their Declaration and adhere to their RVs limitations according to the spirit of the Code of Conduct. Remember to use water wisely and respect any local water restrictions.
2. To obtain permission to stay from the relevant authority where applicable, and to obey any posted regulations. (It may be necessary to obtain a permit from the controlling authority. In some instances a fee may be payable. Where authorities have posted signs, these will override any other considerations) Respect any location that may not be sign posted or listed in any publication. Many locations throughout the country, especially in more remote regions, offer the opportunity to stay overnight. Please remember that these locations will only be available if you uphold the spirit of the Code of Conduct. Respect any person of authority that may request you to move on.
3. To not use awnings, chairs or barbeques unless in a designated camping area. (Be aware of my surroundings and only camp in appropriate areas. For example, it may not be acceptable to set up overnight camp in a roadside rest area.) Not all locations are suitable for camping. Many locations may be suitable for just one nights rest. Please use good judgment when you decide to set up camp. Members of the public are sympathetic to an overnight rest, but are not so sympathetic to those who set up camp in an inappropriate location. Camp fires and laundry hanging from trees are certain to attract unwanted attention. Please only camp in locations that are obviously camping locations.
4. To not drive in any area or use hydraulic jacks or other levelling devices such as wooden blocks when damage may occur to soft surfaces. (Heavy vehicles may damage soft surfacescause damage.) Many locations are hard based but some are grassed. These areas can easily be damaged. Authorities will be reluctant to allow the use of these locations if users cause damage to surfaces that would require continual maintenance. Users of large, heavy vehicles should be especially cautious where they park.
5. To always leave an area cleaner than I find it. It is very easy to spend five or ten minutes picking up garbage in a rest area. This single act will do more for your welcome than almost any other act. Please use a pair of gloves and put any rubbish into a plastic bag and place into any bins at the location.
6. To always take care of the natural environment. (If they are permitted, keep camp fires small, and do not collect firewood from inappropriate areas. Do not cut living foliage, pick wild flowers or disturb wildlife.)
7. To park my vehicle so as not to obstruct reasonable passage, exit or access to other vehicles or property. Please be courteous and do not park in a manner that impedes the movement of other vehicles. Many rest areas also serve as access points for local properties. Be aware of any tracks or gates. Do not park in rest areas that are used by heavy transports in a manner that impedes their movements. Always try to park to one side so that they can see you as they enter the area. Trucks are an important part of our economy, and the misuse of rest areas by RVs may jeopardise the privilege to use the site.
7. To not park overnight or camp within line of sight of a Caravan Park unless in an approved overnight rest area. Caravan parks are an important part of the RVing way of life. It is essential that we support caravan parks whenever it is possible. However, we need to realise that not all caravan parks support stopping in locations other than in a commercial park. Please do not provoke any adverse response by parking where this may happen.
9. To dispose of all rubbish, and grey and black water in an appropriate manner. (All grey and black water MUST be retained in holding tanks or suitable sealable containers at all times, unless permitted to drain grey water onto the ground by a controlling authority.) This is the key to the Leave No Trace scheme. When you leave a site, ensure that you only leave tyre marks. Wherever practically possible, use public dump points and rubbish bins. Before setting out to remote areas, ensure that grey and black water holding tanks are empty. Where there is absolutely no alternative, please refer to the CMCA Bush Camping Code.
10.To display the Leave No Trace vehicle sticker on the front passenger side of my self-drive vehicle windscreen, or for towed units, on the window closest to the entrance door, and to remove it prior to my disposing of the vehicle.
11.To purchase fuel, food or supplies as a form of thanks, whenever feasible. As you travel this country, be aware that the various authorities have made many locations available to you, to encourage you to stay in their area. A simple way of showing your appreciation to these authorities is to patronise business in the area. Authorities will support your visits, especially if their constituents are happy and supportive of the facilities that the authorities have supplied.
FYI Vic
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 18th of June 2009 10:39:49 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_No_Trace
This is what is being implemented and proposed for RV travellers in Australia;
http://www.cmca.net.au/pages/motorhoming_information/environmental_issues/leave_no_trace/index.php
Vic
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 18th of June 2009 05:11:02 PM
I take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints and though having a social evening around a campfire may sound nice it is not LNT....
It is a code of conduct that you have to sign an application to join and to get your sticker (to be displayed on your RV and be part of it. Although the name is the same, LNT (see link
http://www.lnt.org.au/ this has no connection to the CMCA Leave No Trace scheme which was devised by the CMCA and has spread to other caravan clubs etc.
See information on the link below, there is a lot more to this than you realize.
http://www.atcmcc.org.au/clubnews.php?newsid=LNT
As well as reading the link above, these are the rules below for anyone that joins the scheme as a member;
1.
To stay in any Rest Area for a maximum of 5 nights, unless otherwise posted, or for the period that the Accommodation Vehicle can be self contained. (If the vehicle capabilities are 2 days this will become the limit. If the vehicles capability is for longer than 5 days, 5 days shall be the limit, unless otherwise posted.)
It is obvious that every user of an RV has differing demands of their RV and will use the facilities on board in a manner that suits their needs and travelling habits. For example, some users will require more in the way of water per day than others. The use of public facilities will also need to be taken into account in determining the capacity of an RV. It is therefore difficult to determine an exact amount of water that is required for any RV for a given period of time. If your RV has limited facilities, these limitations must be taken into account when staying in one location. It is incumbent on all users of the Leave No Trace scheme to honour their Declaration and adhere to their RVs limitations according to the spirit of the Code of Conduct. Remember to use water wisely and respect any local water restrictions.
2.
To obtain permission to stay from the relevant authority where applicable, and to obey any posted regulations. (It may be necessary to obtain a permit from the controlling authority. In some instances a fee may be payable. Where authorities have posted signs, these will override any other considerations)
Respect any location that may not be sign posted or listed in any publication. Many locations throughout the country, especially in more remote regions, offer the opportunity to stay overnight. Please remember that these locations will only be available if you uphold the spirit of the Code of Conduct. Respect any person of authority that may request you to move on.
3.
To not use awnings, chairs or barbeques unless in a designated camping area. (Be aware of my surroundings and only camp in appropriate areas. For example, it may not be acceptable to set up overnight camp in a roadside rest area.)
Not all locations are suitable for camping. Many locations may be suitable for just one nights rest. Please use good judgment when you decide to set up camp. Members of the public are sympathetic to an overnight rest, but are not so sympathetic to those who set up camp in an inappropriate location. Camp fires and laundry hanging from trees are certain to attract unwanted attention. Please only camp in locations that are obviously camping locations.
4.
To not drive in any area or use hydraulic jacks or other levelling devices such as wooden blocks when damage may occur to soft surfaces. (Heavy vehicles may damage soft surfacescause damage.)
Many locations are hard based but some are grassed. These areas can easily be damaged. Authorities will be reluctant to allow the use of these locations if users cause damage to surfaces that would require continual maintenance. Users of large, heavy vehicles should be especially cautious where they park.
5.
To always leave an area cleaner than I find it.
It is very easy to spend five or ten minutes picking up garbage in a rest area. This single act will do more for your welcome than almost any other act. Please use a pair of gloves and put any rubbish into a plastic bag and place into any bins at the location.
6.
To always take care of the natural environment. (If they are permitted, keep camp fires small, and
do not collect firewood from inappropriate areas. Do not cut living foliage, pick wild flowers or disturb
wildlife.)
7. To park my vehicle so as not to obstruct reasonable passage, exit or access to other vehicles
or property.
Please be courteous and do not park in a manner that impedes the movement of other vehicles.
Many rest areas also serve as access points for local properties. Be aware of any tracks or gates. Do
not park in rest areas that are used by heavy transports in a manner that impedes their movements.
Always try to park to one side so that they can see you as they enter the area. Trucks are an
important part of our economy, and the misuse of rest areas by RVs may jeopardise the privilege to
use the site.
7.
To not park overnight or camp within line of sight of a Caravan Park unless in an approved
overnight rest area.
Caravan parks are an important part of the RVing way of life. It is essential that we support caravan
parks whenever it is possible. However, we need to realise that not all caravan parks support
stopping in locations other than in a commercial park. Please do not provoke any adverse response
by parking where this may happen.
9. To dispose of all rubbish, and grey and black water in an appropriate manner. (All grey and
black water MUST be retained in holding tanks or suitable sealable containers at all times, unless
permitted to drain grey water onto the ground by a controlling authority.)
This is the key to the Leave No Trace scheme. When you leave a site, ensure that you
only leave tyre marks. Wherever practically possible, use public dump points and rubbish bins.
Before setting out to remote areas, ensure that grey and black water holding tanks are empty. Where
there is absolutely no alternative, please refer to the CMCA Bush Camping Code.
10.To display the Leave No Trace vehicle sticker on the front passenger side of my self-drive
vehicle windscreen, or for towed units, on the window closest to the entrance door, and to
remove it prior to my disposing of the vehicle.
11.To purchase fuel, food or supplies as a form of thanks, whenever feasible.
As you travel this country, be aware that the various authorities have made many locations available
to you, to encourage you to stay in their area. A simple way of showing your appreciation to these
authorities is to patronise business in the area. Authorities will support your visits, especially if their
constituents are happy and supportive of the facilities that the authorities have supplied.
FYI
Vic
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 18th of June 2009 10:39:49 PM