Recreation Facility Analysis
Clearwater National Forest

Background The Clearwater National Forest has always placed a high priority on providing a variety of quality recreation opportunities for our visitors to enjoy. Over the years the Forest has worked to maintain our facilities and develop new ones, but there is still more to do. Many of our sites were developed 30 to 40 years ago when our visitors had smaller vehicles and different interests. While visitor’s preferences have changed in some areas, others needs have remained the same. To respond to these conditions and national direction, the Forest is implementing the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) process for developed recreation sites. The final result of the RFA process is a program of work containing a list of prioritized actions. This program of work will allow the Forest to more effectively manage our developed recreation sites. Recreation Faclilty Analysis document - pdf 1.2 mb

Contact Information Send comments to: Diana Jones, Project Coordinator By mail: Diana Jones RFA Coordinator Clearwater National Forest 12730 U.S. Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544 By phone: (208) 476-8239 By e-mail: dljones@fs.fed.us

What is Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA)?

RFA is an analysis tool developed nationally to help forest align their developed recreation site with the unique characteristics of the forest, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations, and revenue. National forests across the country are undertaking this process. RFA has three strategic goals:

• Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest
• Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards
• Eliminate or reduce recreation site deferred maintenance

Seven Step Process

A seven step process is used to evaluate and prioritize sites for action. The results are contained in a proposed 5-year program of work. Public feedback is sought to ensure that these actions are sound and responsive to visitor needs. Annually, phases of the program of work are implemented; additional public participation is conducted at that time.

The RFA process involves seven steps, each bringing the Forest’s developed recreation sites in closer alignment with the Forest’s unique characteristics, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations and revenue.

STEP 1: Prepare Site Inventory and Financial Data
The inventory of recreation sites is updated, along with estimates of the costs for operation and maintenance and deferred maintenance for each recreation site.

Inventory and data collection was completed by recreation staff in late-September 2006. See Recreation Site list.

Step 2: Identify Unit Recreation Program Niche

Recreation visitor use, market data and public input are examined to determine the focus of the forest’s recreation program. This will include a map that displays the forest’s recreation setting and a summary paragraph that characterizes the forest’s recreation program. This will include a map that displays the forest’s recreation setting and a summary paragraph that characterizes the forest’s unique recreation program or “niche.”

Step 3: Identify Operational Efficiencies
Recreation Sites are examined to determine if efficiencies can be undertaken to further reduce site expenditures and eliminate deferred maintenance while maintaining recreation opportunities. A proposed set of management options is developed for each site to reduce costs or provide services in other ways.

Step 4: Rank Recreation Sites

Recreation sites are rated through the use of a series of questions involving the sites’ conformance with the forest recreation program niche; their financial and operational efficiency; their effects on environmental sustainability; and their effects on community stability. Forest recreation planning group will develop a proposed ranking of sites.

Step 5: Propose a 5-year Program of Work to Stakeholders
The proposed 5-year program of work for recreation sites is prepared based upon the analysis completed in the previous four steps. Broader discussions with stakeholders are sought to explore alternative ways of operating sites or building new partnerships.

Step 6: Finalize 5-year Proposed Program of Work
The 5-year program of work for recreation sites is refined, based upon the broader discussions with public.

Annually, site-specific steps are proposed to implement the 5-year program of work for recreation sites. Prior to implementation of individual projects, national Environmental Policy Act and other agency coordination requirements are completed.

Step 7: Implementation

Public Participation

We recognize that many of the special places on the Clearwater National Forest are important to you and we welcome your comments and suggestions during this process. Your participation is important to ensure that the results of the RFA process meet overall visitor needs and offer the best recreation opportunities in the right places.