Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2001 Recreation, Livestock Grazing, and Protected Resource Values in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Lael Palmer Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Other Life Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Palmer, Lael, "Recreation, Livestock Grazing, and Protected Resource Values in the Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument" (2001). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1430. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1430 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. RECREATION, LIVESTOCK GRAZING, AND PROTECTED RESOURCE VALVES IN THE GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT by Lael Palmer A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE In Recreation Resource Management M jor Pro ssor LAlAN~ole Ke{illifl7/hltil:li?7/ Ha ~scCoy omas Kent Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2001 11 ABSTRACT Recreation, Livestock Grazing, and Protected Resource Values in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by Lael Palmer, Master of Science Utah State University, 2001 Major Professor: Dr. Mark Brunson Department: Forest Resources This thesis reports the results of a project which identified differences in characteristics of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument user groups as they related to their perceptions of how they experience the Monument as recreationists. It explored opinions of four groups: hikers vs. hunters and pre-designation users vs. post-designation users. Responses of these groups were compared for attribution of perceived resource damage, feelings of crowding, acceptability of management action, and importance of identified monument values to their visit. In addition, characteristics of the users were examined to determine if demographic characteristics accounted for differences in perception toward the resources. Finally, how these groups perceived grazing livestock and multiple uses on the monument was examined. Significant differences were found between most categories in hunters and hikers. Pre- designation visitors and post-designation visitors differed only in a few categories. (124 pages) III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Mark Brunson for sharing encouragement and knowledge. Dr. Brunson was key in my desire to start this degree, in addition to giving me his valuable guidance to complete it. He provided me with academic insight, practical advice, and hands-on help. He is a talented mentor, leader, and friend. I would also like to thank my committee members, Nicole Haynes and Dale Blahna, for their willingness to participate in this process, and for their feedback and guidance. The managers and staff at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument have been cooperative and helpful during this process as well. I would like especially to thank Barb Sharrow for her support and interest in this project. Thanks to Doug Reiter and other IORT friends for their advice and encouragement. I was glad to find so much friendship and support among the other students in the IORT offices. It made it easy to come to campus every day, knowing that such people were around. Finally, thanks to my parents, Allen and Lori Palmer, who show me how important it is to be educated, no matter the setting, no matter my other goals. They have given me the ability to find joy through learning, both formally and informally. They have also helped me to keep things in perspective, and encouraged me when I needed it most. Without them, I never would have corne so far in this, and in life. Lael Palmer IV CONTENTS Page ABSlRACT .................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................... 111 LIST OF TABLES . .. VI LIST OF FIGURES VIll CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION. .. 1 Study Site ............................................................. 3 Thesis Organization ..................................................... 7 References . 8 2. RECREATIONISTS ' RELATIONSHIP WITH A NEWLY DESIGNATED NATIONAL MONUMENT: A COMPARISON OF HUNTERS AND HIKERS ..... 9 Abstract ............................................................... 9 Introduction . 9 Literature Review . .. 1 1 Hypotheses ........................................................... 18 Methods ............................................................. 20 Results ............................................................... 25 Discussion . 32 Conclusion ........................................................... 34 References . 35 3. RECREATIONISTS' RELATIONSHIP WITH A NEWLY DESIGNATED NATIONAL MONUMENT: A TEST FOR "DESIGNATION EFFECTS" ......... 38 Abstract . 38 Introduction . 38 Literature Review ...................................................... 40 Study Context ......................................................... 44 Hypotheses ........................................................... 45 Methods ............................................................. 46 Results . 51 Discussion . 63 Conclusion ........................................................... 67 References . 69 v 4. RECREATIONISTS' RESPONSES TO LIVESTOCK GRAZING IN THE GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT ............... 72 Abstract . 72 Introduction . 72 Literature Review ...................................................... 75 Hypotheses ........................................................... 78 Methods ............................................................. 79 Results . 84 Discussion ............................................................ 93 Conclusion ........................................................... 94 References . 95 5. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS .................................... 97 References .......................................................... , 101 APPENDICES .............................................................. 103 Appendix A: Survey Instrument and Cover Letters . .. 104 Appendix B: Contact Points and Sampling Schedule ......................... , 115 VI liST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Hiker/ Hunter Survey Response Rates ...................................... 24 2 Hunter and Hiker Demographics .......................................... 25 3 Visitors Who Encountered Monument Resources ............................. 26 4 Reported Importance of Monument Natural Resource Values ................... 27 5 Reported Support of Fees ................................................ 29 6 Responses to Possible Management Action .................................. 30 7 Responses to Possible Limitations and Closures .............................. 31 8 Hiker Survey Response Results ........................................... 50 9 Length of Stay at the Monument .......................................... 51 10 Whether Visitors Visit Was Influenced by Designation ........................ 52 11 How Visitors Obtained Information ........................................ 53 12 Importance of Monument Features ......................................... 54 13 How Often Visitors Saw Monument Features During Their Trip ................. 55 14 Describe the Conditions of the Following Monument Features ................... 56 15 Possible Benefits of Recreation at the Monument ............................. 57 16 Leisure Activities Participated in While at the Monument ...................... 58 17 Where Visitors Spent the Night During Their Visit ............................ 59 18 Responses to Human Activities and Management Practices ..................... 60 19 Support of Restrictions and Fees .......................................... 61 20 Perceived Feelings of Crowding ........................................... 61 21 Demographic Characteristics ............................................. 62 Vll 22 Comparisons with a Summer 1996 Survey .................................. 63 23 Frequency of Cattle Sightings by Hunters and Hikers .......................... 84 24 Frequency of Sighting Evidence of Cattle by Hunters and Hikers ................. 84 25 Recreationists' Judgements of Vegetation Impacts ............................ 85 26 Perceived Sources of Vegetation Impact .................................... 85 27 Cattle Added or Detracted from Recreation Experience ........................ 86 28 Variety of Uses Added or Detracted from Recreation Experience ................ 87 29 Frequency of Cattle Sightings by Pre- and Post-Designation Users ............... 88 30 Frequency of Sighting Evidence of Cattle by Pre- and Post-Designation Users ...... 88 31 Recreationists' Judgements of Vegetation Impacts ............................ 88 32 Cattle Added or Detracted from Recreation Experience ........................ 88 33 Variety of Uses Added or Detracted from Recreation Experience ................ 89 34 Demographic Characteristics as Influences upon Perceptions of Cattle ............ 90 35 Ordinary Least Squares Estimate on Responses About Whether Seeing Cattle Added or Detracted from Visit ......................... 91 36 Ordinary Least Squares Estimate on Responses About Whether Knowing the Area Is Open to a Variety of Uses Added or Detracted from Visit ............. 92 37 Ordinary Least Squares Estimate