Evaluating Planning and Management of Natural Resources Within the Utah State Park System
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Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2021 Evaluating Planning and Management of Natural Resources Within the Utah State Park System Erin K. Mann Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Environmental Design Commons, and the Landscape Architecture Commons Recommended Citation Mann, Erin K., "Evaluating Planning and Management of Natural Resources Within the Utah State Park System" (2021). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 8089. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/8089 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]. EVALUATING PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE UTAH STATE PARK SYSTEM by Erin K. Mann A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Environmental Planning Approved: __________________________ __________________________ Keith Christensen Ph.D. Daniella Hirschfeld Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member __________________________ _________________________ Zachary Miller Ph.D. D. Richard Cutler, Ph.D. Committee Member Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2021 ii Copyright © Erin K. Mann 2021 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Evaluating Planning and Management of Natural Resources Within the Utah State Park System by Erin Mann, Master of Environmental Planning Utah State University, 2021 Major Professor: Keith Christensen, Ph.D. Department: Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning A change in management style, combined with increased visitation and the advanced age of Resource Management Plans in Utah’s State Parks, is leading park managers to potentially not fulfill the objectives stated in their general management or Resource Management Plans. By conducting content analysis on the Resource Management plans of ten sample parks, we found that written plans originally had strong priorities and goals regarding the care and management of natural resources. Significant findings included strong emphasis on resource protection, data collection, and research. Semi-structured interviews with the sample park managers indicated a wide divergence from the Resource Management Plans in priorities and actions regarding natural resources. Analysis on the rate of visitation increase compared with the increasing age of the Resource Management Plans and a shift toward greater dependence on Business Plans also shows a departure from the objectives stated in the plans. Recommendations include updating Resource Management Plans, developing basic thresholds for data collection, iv additional research on Business Plans, and additional resources and training for park managers regarding Resource Management Plans. (104 pages) v PUBLIC ABSTRACT Evaluating Planning and Management of Natural Resources Within the Utah State Park System Erin Mann A change in management style, combined with increased visitation and the advanced age of guiding documents used to describe conditions and goals (known as Resource Management Plans) in Utah’s State Parks, are leading park managers to potentially not fulfill the objectives stated in their Resource Management Plans. Using a research tool known as “content analysis,” we analyzed the Research Management Plans of ten sample parks and found that written plans had strong priorities and goals regarding the care and management of natural resources. Significant findings included strong emphasis on resource protection, data collection, and research. Pre-written questions were asked of the sample park managers during a phone interview where we discovered a wide divergence from the Resource Management Plans in priorities and actions regarding natural resources. Analysis on the rate of visitation increase compared with the increasing age of the Resource Management Plans and a shift toward greater dependence on Business Plans also showed a departure from the objectives stated in the plans. Recommendations include updating Resource Management Plans, developing basic thresholds for data collection, additional research on Business Plans, and additional resources and training for park managers regarding Resource Management Plans. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Keith Christensen, Dr. Daniella Hirschfeld, and Dr. Zachary Miller, for their help and assistance in this study. I would also like to thank Scott Strong, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, and the park managers who donated their time to assist me in completing my data collection. Most especially, I would like to thank my family and friends for their support, including all the people who watched my kids as I completed this study. Erin Mann vii Contents Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Public Abstract .................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Background and Significance ......................................................................................... 1 Project Objective ............................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................. 4 Planning Documents ....................................................................................................... 4 Management Style and Shift ........................................................................................... 6 Management Evaluation ................................................................................................. 8 Research Method .......................................................................................................... 12 Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 3: Methods ........................................................................................................... 20 Setting ........................................................................................................................... 21 Description of Anticipated Impact ................................................................................ 24 Chapter 4: Content Analysis ............................................................................................. 26 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 26 Methods......................................................................................................................... 27 Document Selection ........................................................................................ 27 viii Coding Process ............................................................................................... 28 Code Words and Definitions ........................................................................... 28 Second Coder Review ..................................................................................... 31 Results ........................................................................................................................... 32 Policies ............................................................................................................. 37 Action Item ....................................................................................................... 37 Informational ................................................................................................... 38 Protection Terms .............................................................................................. 38 Reference Value/Research/Investigate/Explore ............................................... 39 Educate ............................................................................................................ 40 Finances/Funding ............................................................................................ 41 Development .................................................................................................... 41 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 42 Mission Statements........................................................................................... 45 Policies vs. Action items .................................................................................. 45 Protection Terms .............................................................................................. 47 Reference Value ..............................................................................................