Resource-based Recreation Management Studies

Several of Resource Dimensions’ partners are specialists in the arena of recreation and tourism management, with particular emphasis in the area of natural resource-based activities, and their human dimensions. Together we have conducted a wide variety of studies for an extremely diverse clientele across the nation. Below we list a small sampling of the RRM team’s recent projects.

Rattlesnake Wilderness and National Recreation Area Project
Together with the American Public Land Exchange, Dr. Wright assisted in the conflict resolution process to mediate between goals of the Montana Power Company and Lolo National Forest following the passages of federal legislation that established these areas. Public involvement requirements were prescribed by NEPA. The process included the assemblage of several land exchange alternatives which were reviewed by the public and assesses for implementation. In the Rattlesnake watershed, the BLM coal lease bidding rights worth $14.3 million were traded for fee simple title to 21,027 acres of power company holdings to concluded the project and land transfer.

Scenic River Visitor Study.
For the National Park Service, Niobrara National Scenic River, Dr. Davenport conducted qualitative content analysis on the motives, perceptions, and natural resource values of visitors for use in development GMP. A total of 923 visitors in 422 groups were contacted and interviewed onsite. Indicators of quality recreational experiences were examined and perceptions of crowding identified. Comparative analysis on values that visitors assign to the Wilderness Area and values they assign to the rest of the National Scenic River was conducted using a questionnaire administered to 556 visitors just outside the Wilderness Area. Prepared and presented final report.

Socioeconomic Analysis and Recreational Facilities Assessment
For Douglas County, WA and in coordination with several regional land use and transportation projects Resource Dimensions conducted community socio-demographic assessment and socioeconomic analysis to evaluate current recreation opportunities available and determine the potential for new resources. Active and passive regional facilities throughout the County are provided by a mix of federal, state, and local agencies including the BLM, BOR, Bonneville Power Administration, the State Parks and Recreation Commission, WDFW, and the Chelan—Douglas County Public Utility Districts and Port Districts. Active regional facilities provided by these agencies are typically associated with the Columbia River and its surrounding natural resource amenities. Assessment included evaluation of day use and camping facilities, as well as passive regional recreational activities as hiking, hunting, fishing, nature watching and photography.

National Park General Management Plan Revisions EA
Public Involvement and Values Survey
For the National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dr. Gustanski, developed the public involvement plan to evaluate GMP criteria and alternatives. Developed web-based and mail-in surveys, conducted interviews, participated in public meetings, developed coding structure, conducted content and issue analysis of public comments (verbal and written); mapped respondent concerns, conducted survey analysis, and prepared technical reports relative to GMP revisions; contributed to web site design and content.

Alaska Habitat Guides Project: Economic Overview of Fish and Wildlife Use
For the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Ginny Fay conducted a comprehensive analysis and prepared report on the economic role of commercial fishing, sport fishing, hunting, subsistence, and non-consumptive use of fish and wildlife in the Alaska economy. Other major projects included development of an entry limitation program and regulations and fiscal modeling of Alaska commercial fisheries.

Yellowstone National Park Winter Visitor Analysis: An exploration of the nature of recreation experiences and perceptions of management change
For the National Park Service, Dr. Mae Davenport conducted an assessment using qualitative data and content analysis techniques to examine meanings ascribed to recreational activities, experiences, and setting characteristics for Yellowstone National Park. She identified factors shaping visitors’ attitudes toward management decisions, developed interview guide, conducted interviews, performed all qualitative content analysis, and prepared reports for NPS.

Recreation and Tourism Analysis
Lower Snake Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Study and EIS
For the US Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Chuck Harris, lead the multidisciplinary team in developing research approach, survey design and conducted data collection, regional research, socioeconomic analyses, coding, qualitative analysis and evaluation of the recreation and tourism impacts related to the Lower Snake River and proposed Salmon migration feasibility study. Prepared various NEPA compliant reports.

Denali National Park and Preserve Community Transportation Plan
For the Denali National Park, Ginny Fay worked with Park Staff and the transportation consulting team to design a community transportation system to improve transportation and shuttle bus service for visitors to Denali National Park. The project sought to both provide a lower cost and more efficient system for businesses serving Denali visitors, and to improve transportation options for seasonal employees in the Denali area.

Evaluation of the Pennsylvania 4-H Sportfishing Program
For the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Dr. Wang evaluated the sport fishing program in terms of its usefulness and viability as a curriculum to provide children with the opportunity and ability to become anglers, regardless of location or socioeconomic constraints. In selected counties, short surveys and focus groups were administered to PA youth, ages 10-12 in both rural and urban 4H settings. Preliminary findings indicate that parental attitude towards fishing and social inclusion of youth is an important influence on a child’s experience and attitude towards fishing. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. Data was gathered using several survey formats, including: questionnaires, focus groups, and surveys. Data from surveys and the evaluation were coded and translated using SPSS.

Evaluation of Recreational and Scenic Area Activity Values for the Middle Snake River
For the Idaho State Attorney General’s Office, Dr. Chuck Harris conducted research, data collection, qualitative assessment and economic values analysis of recreational and scenic activities for the Middle Snake River and prepared full report for the Attorney General’s Office.

Owyhee Subbassin Plan
For the Bureau of Land Management, Erin Seekamp, developed and implemented surveys for both on-site distribution along the Owyhee Wild & Scenic River Corridor, and mail. Responses were coded and data sets were analyzed. The report prepared for the BLM addressed visitor use, socioeconomics, demographics, regulations, and trip expectations.

Alaska Visitor Statistics Program
For the Alaska Village Initiatives, the Alaska Wilderness Recreation Wilderness Association, National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ginny Fay conducted multiple demographic and economic analyses and attitude, values and opinion surveys of non-resident visitors. The surveys sought to evaluate visitor interest in rural communities, cultural tourism and wilderness values.

Qualitative Interviews and Quantitative Surveys for Region 6
USDA Forest Service Wilderness Areas
For the USDA Forest Service, Erin conducted a series of visitor surveys, mail surveys and on-site interviews on US Forest Service Lands within Region 6. The purpose of the survey process was to examine visitor’s wilderness experience: including biophysical, socio-cultural, and psychological experiences. Text-based data from in-depth field interviews was coded, and analyzed; report on findings was prepared and delivered to the USDA Forest Service.

Linking Heritage Landscapes and Ecosystem Management
Mount Hood National Forest
For the USDA Forest Service, Dr. Wang, analyzed the integration of ecosystem management and heritage management, especially with regard to American Indians in Mount Hood National Forest (Oregon). Four fundamental principles of ecosystem management were used to guide the heritage resources management process including use of an ecological perspective, forming partnerships, promoting grass-roots participation, and using scientific knowledge learned over the course of the project. A technical report was prepared for the Mount Hood National Forest, Zig Zag Ranger District.

Jefferson National Forest Visitor Realignment Project and
Resource Management Plan Update EIS
For the USDA Forest Service, Erin Seekamp led development of the public involvement process which included conducting visitor survey and stakeholder interviews in connection with plan revisions and updates. The project sought to fully integrate public participation into the forest planning process, recognizing that it is for the public, as well as for the resources on national forest lands that plans are developed and implemented. Interview sought to identify public perceptions of environmental quality relative to Jefferson National Forest lands. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using QSR*NUDIST, a program similar to Ethnograph, designed to aid in analysis of complex qualitative data.