Tourism & Outdoor Recreation &……..
NEPA?
I
“
’m from the
Government, and I’m here to help you”
Work Together?
HOW DO TOURISM & NEPA FIT? z z z z z z z z
Wildlife Ranching Soil & Water Transportation Systems Land Exchanges Mining Cultural Resources & Tribal Coordination NEPA/Planning
Our Common Customers
A Tourist is a Recreationist 50 miles from Home 8
Federal Agencies Manage Recreation and Tourism HABITAT
Stories
Memories = Good Business
Common Issues
Dramatic Increase in OHV Activity
“Wreckreationists�: Increased Urban Problems in Remote Settings z z z z z
Vandalism Higher crime rate More serious and varied criminal offenses Public health issues Increased need for fire suppression
Increased Pressures on Wildlife z z z z
Fragmentation of habitat Destruction of habitat Poaching Disturbance during critical breeding cycles
Increase Emphasis on Outdoor Education z z z z z z z
Leave No Trace Take It Outside! Programs for kids Wonderful Outdoor World Program School Systems “Living laboratories” Bicultural programs Women in the Outdoors programs
Public Lands BRING ‌‌ Fresh attractions to both domestic and international visitors
ADVENTURE
VARIETY
MORE V A R I E TY
DISCOVERY
S O L I T U D E ???
OFF–ROAD
OPPORTUNITY
A U T H E N T I C I T Y
The environment is the travel industry’s base product. Natural beauty and cultural heritage represent a competitive advantage.
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DEMAND FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND PLACES TO RECREATE CONTINUE TO GROW
Recreation Visitation to Public Land 64 62 60 58 56 Annual visits in millions
54 52 50 1994
1995
1996
1997
BLM’s Recreation Management Information System
Federal Land Management Funding Comparison
9
8.5
8 7 6 5 4 3
1.9
2 1 0
Dollars Per Acre
0.3
Overall increase in Conflicts among Visitors Regarding ALLOCATION of “tourism/recreation habitat�
motorized or non-motorized? horses or hikers? ski or snowmobile? religious site or cultural tourism? watchable wildlife or hunting?
What Tourism Attractions does NEPA influence? z z z z z z z z z
Millions of acres National Monuments National Conservation Areas Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas National Long Distance Trails National Wild and Scenic Rivers National Heritage Areas Visitor Centers Developed Sites: camping, skiing, hunting & fishing
Federal Agencies PROVIDE LINKS TO:
z z z z z
Rec.gov Trip Planning Opportunities Outfitters & Guides Relationships OHV Areas Scenic Byways Gateway Community Relationships
Permitted Recreation Events On Public Lands z z z
Commercial Operations Special Events 32,000 Special Recreation Permits annually
Adventure Tourism 50% of US adults (98 million) took an adventure vacation within the last 5 years, with 57% of these, people who live in the west. 57
Heritage Tourism and Geotourism z z z z z z
One of the fastest growing and profitable Celebration of culture and heritage Celebration of region Respects privacy Maintains concepts of Sustainability Relies on authenticity and conservation
Geotourism A Type of Tourism that
sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place— its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.
What‌. Is A Geotourist?
Tourism and Sustainability GEOTOURISM: Now, celebrate the place UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM : • Overcrowding • Lower quality of experience • Loss of distinctiveness • Erosion of culture and environment
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: First, do no harm.
FEDERAL & TRIBAL CRITICAL TOURISM PARTNERSHIPS WSTPC MOU (Western States Tourism Policy Council)
STPC MOU (Southeast Tourism Policy Council)
NEPA Process: Informed Choices Promote Success
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Partnerships
DATA: 5 Related Influences On Recreation & Tourism z
Economic
z
Demographic
z
Retail & Media
z
Technology & Entertainment
z
Conservation & Environmentalism
DIFFERENCES AMONG FEDERAL PARTNERS z z z z z z
Mission? Organizational Structure? Planning Year? Budget Cycle? Preferred Processes? Difference between law and policy?
Native American Culture
NEPA A Framework for Collaboration
Los Ninos DEl Camino Real de Tierra Adentro The Royal Road of the Interior Lands
Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) National Environmental Policy Act 1969 Section 102 (2)(C) Federal Agencies required to prepare a “Detailed Statement” for……..
Major Actions Significantly affecting quality of the human environment, including…….. Environmental Impacts
Environmental Assessment (EA) Analyzes the environmental impacts Determines level of Significance of……..
Proposed Action. Includes…….. “Scoping” of……. Perceived Issues
FONSI?
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Finding of Significant Impact? = EIS “Detailed Statement� required by NEPA
Define Issues for Resolution Define Alternative Solutions
Impact? of Alternative Solutions Review Analysis Submit YOUR OWN Analysis
Cumulative Impact? “Mitigating” Measure?
MORE!! ALL comments have to be considered… And responded to………. Responses tracked &…. often published
Selection of “Preferred” Alternative Draft EIS Final EIS Record of Decision (ROD) 30-day Protest Period
What Can be Done Now? Technology & Transparency WEB based input GIS “Real-Time” Input Record of Interaction 81
WHERE are We Going?
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Where Will We Be, in 10 Years? What will we wish we had done,
Today?
....
Be More Do More Accomplish More TOGETHER
The Right People In the Right Place At the Right Time
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IF NOT YOU, THEN WHO?
87
LET’S TALK!
HOW CAN WE ALL PARTNER
MORE EFFECTIVELY? Who are our common customers? What’s working? What do we want to keep? What can we fix? What do we have that we don’t want? What do we want to avoid as we move forward? What do we want to create….. that we don’t have?
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