Public Lands Planning & Management

RSG Inc. » Environment, Energy & Acoustics » Public Lands Planning & Management

RSG has developed a nationally recognized practice in the field of public lands planning and management. A primary focus of this practice is to support decisions about how to reconcile tensions that often exist between accommodating public demand for outdoor recreation on public lands and protecting the natural and cultural resources of these areas and the quality of visitors’ experiences.

We have conducted studies throughout the United States, addressing nationally significant issues such as user capacity planning, scenic air tour management, and alternative transportation planning. We work closely with public lands agency officials to translate research results into meaningful strategies for on-the-ground management and planning.

Our work in public lands planning and management is supported through a variety of funding sources, including the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit in Parks program, the National Park Service’s (NPS) Natural Sounds Program, the Federal Aviation Administration, the NPS Natural Resources Protection Program, and individual national park units.

 

Areas of Expertise

  • User capacity planning and management studies
  • Visitor use computer simulation modeling
  • Alternative transportation planning studies
  • Acoustic and social science research for managing park soundscapes
  • On-site, mail, and Internet survey research
  • Traffic monitoring, analysis, and microsimulation modeling
  • Transportation facility design and transit operations planning
  • Policy development and scenario planning and analysis

Examples of Our Work

  • Developed conceptual framework and analytical models for supporting management of carrying capacity in Yosemite National Park
  • Conducted visitor survey studies to support development of Air Tour Management plans in Haleakalā and Hawaii Volcanoes National parks
  • Developed integrated vehicle traffic, pedestrian, and transportation noise models to support management of shuttle service in Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Conducted a visitor survey and observation study to support management of resource impacts from off-trail hiking on the summit of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park
  • Conducted a survey, observation, and computer modeling study of visitor use on the Half Dome Trail in Yosemite National Park to support visitor safety and risk management

  • Practice area manager published more than 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals and given over 50 paper presentations at national and international conferences concerning public lands management and planning

  • Practice area manager served as visiting social scientist in Yosemite National Park from January to May 2007 to help the park establish its Visitor Use Social Science Branch within the Division of Resources Management and Science