Recreation Resources

Introduction to RR Credits

The West currently leads the nation in outdoor recreation participation with over 80% of residents in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Utah reporting that they regularly participate in at least one outdoor recreation activity.  The top seven recreational activities (out of 26) cited by those visiting Western national forests are, in order, viewing scenery, relaxing, hiking/walking, viewing wildlife, driving for pleasure, downhill skiing, and fishing. Survey data for the six national forests in the Greater Yellowstone region report the same top five with “viewing wildlife” ranked #2.

Recreation use trends in the Greater Yellowstone region have been examined recently by specialists from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, six national forests and two national wildlife refuges. Their review of recreation trends in the spring, summer and fall months revealed that:

•          The region’s national forests, which receive visitation primarily from local areas, are likely to see significant increases in recreation use as adjacent communities expand their populations. Semi-primitive front country near these rapidly growing communities is already showing the result of cumulative pressure from both residents and visitors.  These are the places that will require focused attention in the near future to prevent unacceptable resource damage and visitor conflict.

•          Three major challenges expect to confront recreation managers in the future:  1) the need to proactively address issues associated with new types of recreation due to changing technology, 2) the need to manage social conflict, particularly between the growing interest in “quiet”, accessible recreation and the growing interest in adrenaline/challenge recreation, and 3) the need to secure alternative sources of funding for recreation infrastructure needs, planning, use management and monitoring.

The GY-Framework responds to these agency concerns by encouraging its projects to address the issue of recreational carrying capacity on adjacent or nearby public lands.  Points will be given to those developers who work with land management agencies to minimize the impact of their development on recreation resources and help construct public recreational facilities.  Within this credit category, additional points will be given to those who seek to 1) educate their constituencies via interpretive signage and programs, 2) reduce user conflicts and encourage ethical outdoor behavior and 3) help resolve public/private land and river access issues.

A credit for demonstrating sustainable operations is also provided in this category. Points are awarded for greening any existing commercial recreation operation, such as golf course, ski resorts, hunting/fishing guide services, etc. as demonstrations of treading lightly on the land.

Recreation Resources Design Team

Core Team Members

Ward Dominick, 7D Ranch, Cody, WY

Jonas A. Grenz, Moonlight Basin, Bozeman, MT

Cari Hanson, Montana Yellowstone Expedition Foundation, Emigrant, MT

Eirik A. Heikes, CTA Architects Engineers, Billings, MT

Robin McClure, McClure Custom Homes, Cody, WY

Brian Rippy, CTA Architects Engineers, Bozeman, MT

Jane Ruchman, Gallatin National Forest Recreation Manager, Bozeman, MT

Clark Swan, Merrill Lynch, Billings, MT

Garth Taylor, Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Falls, ID

Lindsey Waggoner, Big Sky Institute / PBS&J, Bozeman, MT

Facilitator

Chuck Tooley, Business Communication Consultants, Inc, Billings, MT