IDENTIFYING CRITICAL ISSUES IN RECREATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT: IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT-RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP1

ABSTRACT: The “nominal group” process is a proven technique to systematically arrive at a consensus about critical information needs in recreation planning and management. Using this process, 41 managers who attended a 1983 conference on river management identified 114 specific information needs grouped under 11 general questions. Clearly, some concerns of administrators are researchable; many are not.     

IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION HABITATS: THE RECREATION HABITAT ANALYSIS METHOD1

ABSTRACT: This paper describes a concept for identification and ranking of outdoor recreation habitats using principles of ecology as a guide. The Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) is a commonly used technique for assessment of human impacts on the vigor of wildlife species, and serves as the model for the Recreation Habitat Analysis Method (RHAM). Recreation activities are dependent on habitat attributes for their success just as are wildlife species. A sample model is described for recreation activities at large, multipurpose lakes. RHAM could be applied to recreation experiences in a variety of settings including smaller water bodies and riparian and terrestrial ecosystems.     

RIVER AMENITY EVALUATION: A REVIEW AND COMMENTARY1

ABSTRACT: During the past 15 years a number of methods have been developed that purport to evaluate the amenity values of rivers. Most methods are designed to identify the physical, biological, cultural, and esthetic features of a river or river corridor that are conducive to recreation, preservation, and other amenity values. This paper reviews and comments on 13 methods that evaluate amenity values. The methods are reviewed and discussed under three general headings: River Recreation Potential Evaluation, River Esthetic Evaluation, and River Preservation Evaluation. A final section of the paper identifies areas where improvements and further research are needed.     

ASSESSING THE DIRECT EFFECTS OF STREAMFLOW ON RECREATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW1

ABSTRACT: A variety of methods have been used to learn about the relation between streamfiow and recreation quality. Regardless of method, nearly all studies found a similar nonlinear relation of recreation to flow, with quality increasing with flow to a point, and then decreasing for further increases in flow. Points of minimum, optimum, and maximum flow differ across rivers and activities. Knowledge of the effects of streamflow on recreation, for the variety of relevant activities and skill levels, is an important ingredient in the determination of wise streamflow policies.     

SAGE: A NEW PARTICIPANT-VALUE METHOD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT1

SAGE, a proposed method for environmental assessment, focuses on eliciting and incorporating value weights in multiple-objective decision making. In this method, the value weights are inferred from the tradeoffs that people make in choices about alternatives. These weights are applied to scaled scores for accounts based on measurable attributes of each objective. In order to indicate the political ramifications of decisions and to facilitate sensitivity analysis, the values held by various groups are presented in matrix from arrayed by group affiliation or by judgment types that share common values. Results of a trial application of SAGE to a land use/watershed management problem in a growing urban area are presented.