Recreation Facility Analysis
Background
The Carson National Forest is proposing future management of developed recreation sites
through a process called “Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA).” Every national forest in the
nation will also complete this process in 2008.
We want to provide healthy, safe, and well-maintained recreation opportunities that are
important to local communities and visitors to our area. Through the RFA process, the overall
goals of our recreation site program are to:
- Focus resources on the most appropriate recreation opportunities to meet changing public desires and demands.
- Maintain or enhance visitor satisfaction with the sites and services provided.
- Meet quality health and safety standards at all developed recreation sites.
- Be financially sustainable.
- Be environmentally sound.
- Maintain community sustainability.
Many of our facilities had been built 30-50 years ago and have reached the end of their
useful life without significant deferred maintenance investment. Other facilities receive little
or no use, and no longer serve the demand that existed in years past. The fundamental
premise of the program of work is to create an inventory, which is sustainable and flexible
enough to be annually adapted to any changes in demand, available resources, and
opportunities.
At each forest, the RFA process involves several steps: gathering inventory and financial
data; identifying the forest recreation niche; evaluating each developed recreation site
against established national criteria (including conformance with the forest niche, financial
efficiency, and environmental and community sustainability); and ranking the recreation sites
according to those criteria. Using this analysis, as well as professional judgment and
assessment of our ability to meet current and future demand, the Forest has documented a
proposed 5-Year Program of Work. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this
proposal. |
