Preliminary Study of Tread Lightly OHV Education Efforts

Programmatic Approval for National Park Service-Sponsored Public Surveys

TL!_package_rev_7-23-09

Preliminary Study of Tread Lightly OHV Education Efforts

OMB: 1024-0224

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National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Program
Expedited Approval for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

Project Title ⎢
Submission
Date:

Abstract:

Title:
Affiliation:
Street Address:
City:

Robert

Last Name:

Powell

Assistant Professor
Clemson University, Department of PRTM
263 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University
Clemson

Phone:

(864) 656 - 0787

Email:

[email protected]

State:
Fax:

Zip code:

29634

(864) 656 - 2226

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
First Name:

Gary

Title:

Chief

Last Name:

Oye

Park:
Park
Office/Division:

Wilderness Stewardship and Recreation
Management Division

Street Address:

1201 Eye (I) Street NW 10th Floor, Rm004

City:

7 / 27 / 08

The purpose of this research is to develop and test a method for studying the effectiveness of
the “Tread Lightly” off-highway vehicle (OHV) skills and ethics education program within a
selection of U.S. National Park Service and other public lands. Attitudes toward
recommended “Tread Lightly” principles will be investigated in two National Park System
units, Big Cypress National Preserve and Canyonlands National Park, and one Bureau of
Land Management site, Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, using mail back surveys
following a modified Dillman approach (2000).
(not to exceed 150 words)

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:

Preliminary study of the Tread Lightly! off highway vehicle visitor
education efforts on public lands.

Washington, D.C.

Phone:

(202) 513 -7090

Email:

[email protected]

State:
Fax:

Zip code:

(202) 371 - 2401

20005

Project Information
5.

Park(s) For Which Research
is to be Conducted:

Survey Dates:

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)
X Mail-Back
questionnaire

Canyonlands National Park (CANY), Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY)
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA)

3/01/2009

On-Site
Questionnaire

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Face-to-Face
Interview

12/15/09

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Telephone
Survey

Focus
Groups

Other (explain)

Survey
Justification:
(Use as much space
as needed; if
necessary include
additional
explanation on a
separate page.)

Social science research in support of park planning and management is mandated in the
NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1, “Social Science Studies”). The NPS
pursues a policy that facilitates social science studies in support of the NPS mission to
protect resources and enhance the enjoyment of present and future generations (National
Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq.). NPS policy mandates that
social science research will be used to provide an understanding of park visitors, the nonvisiting public, gateway communities and regions, and human interactions with park
resources. Such studies are needed to provide a scientific basis for park planning,
development, operations, management, education, and interpretive activities.
Land managers need the ability to predict and influence recreational behavior in order to
manage wildlands effectively. This includes further understanding of off-highway vehicle
(OHV) drivers’ practices and ethics, particularly compliance with recommended
practices. There is currently a lack of compliance research and literature regarding
minimum-impact OHV visitor education generally and Tread Lightly! (TL!) specifically.
TL! is the most widespread minimum-impact OHV education program currently in
existence. Research exploring the effectiveness of TL! and other minimum-impact
educational programs such as “Leave No Trace” has been described as insufficient, and
the current research base and state of knowledge remains inadequate (Chavez & Knap,
2006; Vancini, 1989).
This study is designed to understand the effectiveness of the TL! message and to identify
salient variables that explain OHV operators’ compliance with TL! recommended
practices in three different ecosystems with different types of education efforts. This
research utilizes Fishbein and Ajzen’s Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein,
1980). The study also seeks to investigate from what source(s) OHV visitors’ learn about
TL!, and whether the type of source influences behaviors (Rogers, 1995). The vast
majority of measures included within the questionnaire are based on earlier work by
Powell, Wright, and Vagias (2008).
The results will be utilized to inform management decisions regarding the future direction
of the program and to improve existing educational tools to reach a broader segment of
the OHV recreation public and enhance both enjoyment and resource protection.

Survey
Methodology: (Use
as much space as
needed; if necessary
include additional
explanation on a
separate page.)

(a) Respondent universe:
Adult visitors, age 18 or older, who are 2008 annual permit holders for OHV travel in
BICY; 2008 backcountry OHV permit holders in Canyonlands NP; and members of the
American Sands Association OHV club that supports travel to ISDRA.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures:
A systematic random sampling technique will be used to sample OHV visitors to 2
national parks and one BLM site. The three sites where data are to be collected, Big
Cypress National Preserve (BICY), Canyonlands National Park (CANY), and Imperial

Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA), were selected to represent a range of ecosystems
and a range of TL! education efforts regarding minimum-impact OHV practices. This
variation in education efforts between research sites will allow researchers to treat each
unit as a case study to gain further understanding of the impact of site-specific educational
approaches.
The researchers will utilize OHV permit holder address lists at BICY (n=1865) and
CANY (n=2965), and will use the 2008 American Sands Association membership list
(n=29,000) as sampling frames. American Sands Association works closely with Bureau
of Land Management to provide TL! educational information for ISDRA. All drivers of
OHVs in BICY and CANY are required to obtain permits. A random numbers table will
be utilized to identify the first individual to be selected from the mail lists and then every
kth individual from the mail lists will be selected to produce a representative sample. The
sampling interval will then be determined by dividing the number of 2008 permit
holders/members by the necessary sample size (700 initial contacts from each site).
This will yield approximately 420 valid responses from each unit which will allow for
comparisons of subpopulations. A total of 420 valid responses will also assure a 95%
confidence interval and provide an adequate sample to allow the researchers to conduct
Structural Equation Modeling analysis which requires a larger sample size.
(c) Instrument administration:
Selected individuals will first be sent a postcard indicating their selection for the study.
These individuals will then be mailed a survey using a modified Dillman approach
(Dillman, 2000). Individuals will be mailed an introductory letter and the survey
instrument. Ten days later those individuals who have not responded will be mailed a
postcard, reminding them about the survey. Approximately two weeks following mailing
of the postcard, respondents who have still not responded will be mailed a follow-up letter
and a replacement questionnaire.
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels:
An overall response rate of 60% is expected for the mail-back questionnaire. Although a
2007 survey of OHV permit holders at BICY only achieved a 46% response rate, the PI’s
and the NPS at BICY have undertaken extensive stakeholder outreach and allowed for the
review of the research instruments to promote greater participation and trust in this
project’s research results. Because of this work and our experience using similar methods
which have resulted in response rates of 70% or greater (Powell, 2004; Powell, Wright, &
Vagias, 2008), we expect a 60% response rate.
A sample of approximately 700 individuals from each site will be mailed a selfadministered survey. Approximately 420 individuals per research site are expected to
complete the survey. A confidence interval of +/-5.0% is expected for each research site.
(To achieve this confidence interval we need responses from 322 individuals from BCY,
341 from CANY, and 379 from ISDRA.)
(e)
Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias:
A portion of the original sample that did not return the questionnaire will be contacted via
telephone in order to ascertain potential differences between those who returned a
completed questionnaire and those who choose not to participate. Telephone numbers are
available from OHV permits at CANY and BICY, and from the American Sands
Association membership list at ISDRA. Within a reasonable effort and expense, we will
attempt to complete 60 phone interviews from non-respondents from each site. Nonresponse bias will be checked by sampling the age, sex, and experience use history of
non-respondents and statistically comparing these data with those of the
respondents.(script attached in appendix).
(f) Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the methods and/or instrument
(recommended):
A number of processes and procedures were undertaken to develop the Tread Lightly

Questionnaire based on recognized social science research procedures (Babbie, 2001;
DeVellis, 2003; Foddy, 1993; Fowler, 1993). The TL! instrument is identical for all three
study locations, except where exact locations are referenced in the questionnaire. There
are, however, additional modules of questions specific to each research site included at
the request of agency personnel in the respective units. (Section G in the attached
questionnaire).
Specific processes included:
First, the initial draft of the TL! questionnaire was based on extensive prior research, most
notably the recently completed “Leave No Trace” (LNT) study that also assessed a
minimum-impact visitor education program and utilized a related theoretical framework
and a similar data collection method (Powell, Wright, & Vagias, 2008). The LNT
questionnaire was extensively pilot tested and refined prior to collecting data in three US
National Parks in 2007/08. After analysis of these data, including writing an NPS
Technical Report (Powell, Wright, & Vagias, 2008), a Ph.D. dissertation (Vagias, 2009),
and three journal articles (in final draft stages) (Vagias, Powell, & Moore, a+b, Vagias &
Powell), the researchers further refined the TL! questionnaire.
Secondly, a full literature review of OHV research was undertaken and an item pool was
developed. Questions were adopted and refined based on their suitability for investigating
TL! from past studies including: Cordell, Betz, Green, & Owens, 2005; Fly, Stephens,
Askins, & Hodges, 2002; Lewis & Paige, 2006; Lord, Elmendorf, & Strauss, 2004;
Schoenecker, 2006; Smail, 2007; Yankoviak, 2005. Each of these studies was reviewed
and the primary authors contacted to obtain full questionnaires. After an item pool was
developed, the questionnaire was constructed based on the results of the LNT study, the
theoretical framework, and the research questions.
Thirdly, the TL! survey instrument was reviewed by NPS staff from Big Cypress National
Reserve and Canyonlands National Park, and by BLM staff at Imperial Sand Dunes
Recreation Area.
Fourthly, after review by agency personnel, ORV stakeholder groups at two of the study
sites and TL! staff members at the national TL office completed an extensive review and
provided written and oral comments. During this stage, the researchers attended a public
BICY ORV Advisory Committee meeting in Everglades City to present the purpose of the
study and how the results will be used. Questions were answered, and a subcommittee of
BICY ORV enthusiasts/representatives was formed to review and comment on the
questionnaire and research design. Similar outreach efforts were undertaken in ISDRA
with OHV stakeholders and BLM staff via conference calls.
Next, all items in the survey, especially questions 9 and 12, were extensively reviewed by
stakeholders and comments were received and incorporated. Reviewers were asked to
identify questions that might elicit socially desirable answers (King & Bruner, 2000) or
were confusing or poorly worded. This process had similar goals and results to cognitive
testing (Conrad, Blair, & Elena, 1999; Presser, et al., 2004).

10.

Total Number of
Initial Contacts |
Expected
Respondents:

Survey:
2100

1260

11.

Phone:
300

180

Estimated Time to
Complete
Instrument (mins.):

Survey:
1

Phone:
1

Total
Burden
Hours:

364

13.

Reporting Plan: (a) General: A full technical report of results will be written and submitted to each of the
three participating research sites in May 2009 (depending on approval date).
Additionally, a copy of the survey report will be submitted to the NPS Social Science
Program in order to be archived. Finally, subsequent peer-reviewed journal articles
will be submitted in 2010.
(b) Statistical Analyses: Data will be subjected to the following analyses upon
conclusion of collection phase:
•
Assessment of quality/completeness of data. This includes examination for
coding errors, univariate and multivariate outliers, and distribution of missing
data.
•
Descriptive statistics. This includes developing a description of the sample,
comparing respondents to nonrespondents, testing the reliability of the study’s
scales, and correlation analysis of the study’s variables.
•
Inferential statistics. This includes model building utilizing multiple regression
analyses, path analysis, or structural equation modeling techniques.
The study is designed to be a series of 3 “case studies.” The sites do not represent all
NPS parks where OHV use occurs. Consequently, the results cannot be generalized
beyond the three parks. Nor can they be combined across the 3 study sites.

REFERENCES:
Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.
Babbie, E. (2001). The Practice of Social Research (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Chavez, D. J., & Knap, N. E. (2006). Manager perceptions of issues and actions for off-highway vehicle
management on National Forests in California. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA
Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Conrad, F., Blair, J., & Elena, T. (1999). Verbal reports are data! A theoretical approach to cognitive interviews.
Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology Research
Conference.
Cordell, H. K., Betz, C. J., Green, G., & Owens, M. (2005). Off-highway vehicle recreation in the United States,
regions and states: A national report from the national survey on recreation and the environment
(NSRE): USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
DeVellis, R. F. (2003). Scale development: Theory and applications (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publishing.
Dillman, D. A. (2000). Mail and Internet Surveys: The tailored design method. NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Fly, M. J., Stephens, B., Askins, L., & Hodges, L. (2002). Tennessee OHV user survey. Knoxville, TN: Human
Dimensions Research Lab, The University of Tennessee.
Foddy, W. (1993). Constructing Questions for Interviews and Questionnaires: Theory and Practice in Social
Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Fowler, F. J. (1993). Survey Research Methods (Revised ed. Vol. 1). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
King, M. F., & Bruner, G. C. (2000). Social desirability bias: A neglected aspect of validity testing. Psychology
and Marketing, 17(2), 79-103.
Lewis, M. S., & Paige, R. (2006). Selected results from a 2006 survey of registered off-highway vehicle owners in
Montana: Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Lord, B. E., Elmendorf, W. F., & Strauss, W. (2004). Pennsylvania's ATV riders and their needs., The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
Powell, R. B. (2004). 2003 Grand Canyon National Park Commercial River Visitor Study: Effects of
Participation on Knowledge, Attitudes toward Park Management, Environmental Values, Environmental
Behaviors, and Satisfaction. New Haven: Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Powell, R. B., Wright, B. A., & Vagias, W. M. (2008). Preliminary evaluation of recreational skills and ethics
training programs occurring on public lands: The Leave No Trace visitor education program. Clemson,
SC: Clemson University and U.S. National Park Service.

Presser, S., Couper, M. P., Lessler, J., Martin, E., Martin, J., & J., R. (2004). Methods for testing and evaluating
survey questions. Public Opinion Quarterly, 68(1), 109-130.
Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations (4th ed.). NY, NY: The Free Press.
Schoenecker, A. H. (2006). Describing and differentiating recreational ATV rider preferences. University of
Minnesota.
Smail, R. (2007). Wisconsin all terrain vehicle owners: Recreational motivation and attitudes towards regulation.
University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, Stevens Point.
Vagias, W. M. (2009). Preliminary evaluation of the Leave No Trace visitor education program in two U.S.
National Park Service Units. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation; Department of Parks, Recreation and
Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina.
Vagias, W., Powell, R.B, & Moore, D. (In preparation) The Wildland Ethics Scale. Leisure Sciences
Vagias, W., Powell, R.B., & Moore, D. (In preparation- b) Intentions to comply with Leave No Trace
practices: Assessing determinants planned behavior, perceived difficulty, and perceived knowledge.
Society and Natural Resources
Vagias, W. & Powell, R.B. (In preparation) Diffusion Strategies and Measures of Perceived Effectiveness of the
Leave No Trace Visitor Education Program in Two U.S. National Parks. Journal of Leisure Research.
Vancini, F. W. (1989). Policy and management considerations for off road vehicles: Environmental and social
impacts. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Yankoviak, B. M. (2005). Off-road vehicle policy on USDA National Forests: Evaluating user conflicts and
travel management. University of Montana.

Big Cypress National Preserve
Off-Road Vehicle Visitor Study
Directions To Respondent
The questionnaire is designed to explore your attitudes and opinions regarding Off-Road Vehicle (ORV)
operation at Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY). The aim of this study is to help evaluate and
subsequently improve ORV education efforts at BICY.
Results will be reported in broad statistical terms only to help improve visitor education. No individual
names will be linked with answers and there are no ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’ answers so please feel free to
express your candid views and opinions. Finally, in this study the term ORV refers to vehicles such as
street legal 4X4s, as well other motorized vehicles (if legally appropriate for your location), including
quads, swamp buggies, airboats, ATVs, UTVs, etc. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to
complete.
[PLEASE NOTE: This questionnaire is for BICY. The other questionnaires for CANY & ISDRA will
be identical except the name of the park will be changed. In addition, section G will be different for
each survey, and each version is included below.]
Section A: Your ORV Experience & Personal Use (Topic Area 2)
1. In 2008, how many trips did you make to Big Cypress to engage in ORV operation?
____________ (write in #)
2. When driving your ORV in Big Cypress:
◊ How many ORVs are normally in your group? ______
◊ How many individuals, including yourself, are normally in your group? [1.GR3] _____
3. On your most recent ORV trip, how long do you spend in Big Cypress? Please list partial hours
as ¼, ½ or ¾. [3.TRIPC11]
◊ Number of hours, if less than 24 ______
◊ Number of days, if more than 24 ______
4. How many years have you been operating an ORV? _______________ (write in #)
5. How many days in the past 12 months did you operate an ORV? (please check one answer)
____ 0-5
____ 6-10
____ 11-15
____ 16-20
____ 21-25
____ Over 25
6. How do you rate your skill level in driving an ORV? (please circle one answer)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Novice
Intermediate
Expert

7. Please indicate if you have done any of the following at Big Cypress in the past 12 months. (check
all that apply)
____ Volunteered to do trail maintenance -> how many days? _________
____ Participated in an organized clean-up > how many days? _________
____ Donated money for protection/maintenance > how many dollars? __________
8. What type of ORV do you primarily drive at Big Cypress? (please check one answer)
____ Street Legal 4x4
____ Swamp buggy
____ ATV / UTV (quad, etc)
____ Airboat
____ Other (please describe)
__________________________________________________
Section B: Opinions & Attitudes about ORVs (Topic Area 6)
9. We would like to know more about your opinions regarding the following statements. Please rate
each statement on the 7-point scale using ‘1’ ‘Strongly Disagree’ to ‘7’ Strongly Agree.
(please circle one number per statement)

I believe it is important to walk challenging terrain
before attempting to navigate it in my ORV
Obtaining BICY ORV regulations before driving my
ORV is important.
Safety gear appropriate for my ORV and driving
conditions is essential.
If I am driving in a designated ORV area, I do not need
to worry about sensitive animals and plants

Strongly
Disagree

Neutral

Strongly
Agree

My ORV does not bother wildlife

I feel a responsibility to pick up trash left by others

Washing my vehicle after riding is unnecessary.
Driving my ORV where they are prohibited may lead
to more areas of BICY being closed.
It is my right to drive my ORV where I want on public
lands.
If I am in a designated ORV area, decreasing speed to
reduce noise and dust is unnecessary.
All ORV drivers should take a skills and safety class to
operate a vehicle in BICY.
It is unnecessary to slow my ORV down when I see
wildlife.
Driving my ORV where they are not allowed leaves no
lasting environmental impacts to BICY.
A single ORV traveling alone is unsafe
Scouting an area before driving at high speed is
essential.
ORV driving and safety courses are a waste of my
time

If I am in a designated ORV area, the noise from my
vehicle shouldn’t bother anyone.
It is unnecessary to follow speed limits if I am driving
in a designated ORV area.
There are endangered animals and plants in the area
where I drive my ORV.
ORV operators should be allowed to drive wherever
they want in BICY.

It is important to avoid driving over vegetation.

Mufflers should be required on all ORVs.

I am opposed to being told how fast I can drive.

It is acceptable to drive off designated trails to avoid
obstacles

Section C: Motivation for Operating ORVs at BICY (Topic Area 3)
10. Individuals engage in ORV operation at Big Cypress for a number of reasons. Using the chart
below, please indicate which of the following motivate you to operate your ORV at Big Cypress and
the importance of each reason for which you answer ‘yes’.

Trail / Leisure riding

Reason
Please
circle
one

Importance

Not very
important
If yes ‐
No Yes
1
2
>

Neutral

Extremely
Important

Access to otherwise
inaccessible areas

No Yes

If yes ‐
>

Camping

No Yes

If yes ‐
>

Sport /recreation riding

No Yes

If yes ‐
>

Family / Friends Outing
Hunting / Fishing
Wildlife Viewing
Other
_____________________

If yes ‐
>
If yes ‐
No Yes
>
If yes ‐
No Yes
>
If yes ‐
No Yes
>
No Yes

Section D: Behavioral Intentions (Topic Area 6)
11. On your next ORV outing to Big Cypress, to what extent do you plan to do the following?

(please circle one answer for each item)

Pick up trash left by others
Drive only on designated trails (areas) in Big
Cypress

Definitely
DO NOT
Intend
to:

Neutral

Definitely
DO
Intend
to:

Slow down around other ORVs

Wash my vehicle after visiting Big Cypress

Take an ORV safe operators course

Approach wildlife to get a better view

Ride off of designated trails (areas)

Pack out my group’s trash

Run over vegetation
Learn all rules/regulations before driving at Big
Cypress
Seek out information about the endangered
animals and plants in the area

Section E: ORV Influences & Experiences (Topic Area 6)
12. We would like to know more about your opinions regarding the following statements. Please rate
each statement on the 7-point scale using ‘1’ Strongly Disagree’ to ‘7’ Strongly Agree.
(please circle one number per statement)

The opinions of my friends influence my
driving style at Big Cypress.
Early in life, I spent time engaged in
mechanized recreational activities like four
wheeling, snowmobiling and/or boating.
I trust the NPS (ranger) staff at Big Cypress .
In the next year, I intend to volunteer with the
NPS for one day to maintain and improve ORV
designated areas/trails.
I would not alter my ORV operating style,
regardless of what others in my group may say
or do.
If asked, my ORV friends would think that
donating money for the improvement and
conservation of Big Cypress is a good idea.
If I knew my ORV was harming wildlife I would
not operate my vehicle there
Members of my group strongly influence
where I drive at Big Cypress.
I have little respect for the NPS staff at Big
Cypress.
Early in life I spent time in the outdoors
enjoying nature.
Donating money for the improvement and
conservation of Big Cypress is worthwhile.
My friends would discourage me from
breaking Big Cypress ORV regulations.
If I was told my driving style damaged the
environment, I would change my behavior.

Strongly
Disagree

Neutral

Strongly
Agree

Volunteering with the NPS to maintain and
improve ORV designated areas/trails is
beneficial.
Early in life I spent time hunting.
I encourage my friends to donate money for
the improvement and conservation of Big
Cypress.
In the next year, I intend to donate money to
the NPS for the improvement and conservation
of Big Cypress.
I think doing what the NPS says is important
when driving my ORV in Big Cypress.
If I knew my ORV driving was bothering other
visitors, I would go elsewhere.
My friends think volunteering with the NPS to
maintain and improve ORV designated
areas/trails is a good idea.

Section F: Communication & Education (Topic Area 6)
13.
Have you ever heard of Tread Lightly! (TL!)? (please check one answer)
____ No (if NO, please skip to Section G)
____ Yes ◊ I first heard of Tread Lightly! in ________________ (year)
14. How would you describe your current knowledge of the Tread Lightly! Principles (please circle
one number)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
No
Average
Expert
Knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge
15. Please provide your opinions regarding the Tread Lightly! ORV message. (Topic Area 5)
(please circle one number per statement)
The TL! message made me think about ways to minimize
impacts caused by my ORV

Strongly
Disagree

neutral

Strongly
Agree

The TL! principles are too general
TL! provides useful information for minimizing
environmental impacts while operating my ORV in Big
Cypress
The TL! educational message insults my intelligence

TL! guidelines provide relevant information on how best
to drive my ORV while in Big Cypress

I learned new information on how to reduce my ORV’s
impact from TL!

The TL! educational message assumes ORV operators
cause negative environmental impacts

The TL! educational program influences my ORV driving
behaviors

16. Have you used any of the following sources to learn about Tread Lightly! If yes, indicate how
much you learned about TL! from the source? (Topic Area 3 and 5)
(Please check yes or
no for each item)
NPS educational
talk/video
ORV club (website
or literature)
Big Cypress
literature
Tread Lightly!
literature
Big Cypress website

Used
Please
circle
one

Amount Learned

Nothing

Moderate
Amount

Extensive
Amount

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

TL! website

No Yes

If yes ‐>

Family and friends

No Yes

If yes ‐>

Magazines or books
ORV driving class /
Course
ORV trade shows

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

No Yes

If yes ‐>

SECTION G: BICY Specific Questions (Topic Area 1)
17. Where do you live? [1.RES1]
City:___________________________ State_____ Zip____
Country (if not US):_______________________________
-- If other than Florida, how many months per year do you reside in Florida? __________
18. How many past and present generations of your family have enjoyed ORV recreation in Big
Cypress? __________
SECTION G: CANY Specific Questions (Topic Area 7)
Consider the following hypothetical situation. Suppose Canyonlands experiences a budget shortfall and
must consider changes in its operations. Please indicate your support or opposition to the following:
(Please circle one number per statement)

Strongly
Oppose

Neutral

Strongly
Support

Closing NPS vault toilets and requiring overnight trips to
carry and use a portable toilet system

Charging a $500 fee per incident for backcountry
rescue/aid

Limiting motorized day use of designated trails/roads

Increasing permit fees $5 to cover maintenance of NPS
vault toilets

Increasing permit fees $10 to cover backcountry
rescue/aid

SECTION G: ISDRA Specific Questions (Topic Area 4)
Currently the Bureau of Land Management requires the purchase of a permit for each primary vehicle
that is driven into the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Please circle the type of permit you most
recently purchased (circle one).
Weekly (7 consecutive days)

Seasonal (Oct. 1-Sept. 30)

If you selected ‘weekly’ please respond to questions X and Y. If you selected ‘seasonal,’ please respond
to questions Z and ZZ.
Currently the Bureau of Land Management provides an off-site and a more expensive on-site option for
purchasing weekly (7 consecutive days) vehicle permits for Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
X. Would you be willing to pay $25 ($35, 45, 55, 65) for a weekly permit that you purchased off-site
and prior to arriving at ISDRA?
Y
N
Y. Would you be willing to pay $40 ($50, 60, 70, 80) for a weekly permit that you purchased from the
BLM when you arrived at ISDRA?
Y
N

Currently the Bureau of Land Management provides an off-site and a more expensive on-site option for
purchasing seasonal vehicle permits (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) for Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
Z. Would you be willing to pay $90 ($110, 130, 150, 170) for a seasonal permit that you purchased offsite and prior to arriving at ISDRA?
Y
N
ZZ. Would you be willing to pay $120 ($140, 160, 180, 200) for a seasonal permit that you purchased
from the BLM when you arrived at ISDRA?
Y
N
•

Note: The survey sample will be split into 5 equal groups and only one price will be written into
each question.

SECTION H: Background Information (Topic Area 1)
Please fill out the following regarding your background. None of the information in this or other
sections will be associated with your name.
19.

What is your sex? [1.GEND3] (please check one answer)
____ Male ____ Female

20.

What is your age? [1.AGE2]_______________ (years)

21.

Are you Hispanic or Latino? [1.RACE/ETH2] (please check one answer)
____ No
____ Yes

22.

What is your race? [1.RACE/ETH3] (please select on or more)
____ American Indian or Alaska Native
____ Asian
____ Black or African American
____ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
____ White

23.

Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. Please mark one. [1.ED1]
___ Some high school
___ Bachelor’s Degree
___ High School Diploma/GED
___ Graduate Degree
___ Some college

Concluding Comments
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about ORVs, Tread Lightly!, and/or BICY? Please
include any additional thoughts or comments you may have below.

PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a‐7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better
serve the public. Response to this request is voluntary. No action will be taken against you for refusing to supply
the information requested. Your name is requested for follow‐up mailing purposes only. When analysis of the
questionnaire is completed, all name and address files will be destroyed. Thus, permanent data will be
anonymous. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Burden estimate statement: Public reporting for this form is estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to:
Garry Oye, 1201 Eye (I) Street, 10th Floor Room 1047, Washington D.C., 20005; [email protected]

To be mailed to all respondents 1 week before the questionnaire is mailed.

Dear Big Cypress National Preserve ORV
Permit Holder,
You were recently selected to participate in an
ORV visitor study. The survey will be mailed
to you in one week. Your response is very
important to the success of this study, and we
hope you will take the time to participate. If for
any reason you would rather not participate,
please email us at [email protected] or call
864.656.0787. Many thanks for your support.

All the best,
Robert Powell
Clemson University

Gary Oye
Chief – Wilderness Stewardship and Recreation
Management Division
National Park Service
Washington D.C.

To be mailed to all respondents when the questionnaire is mailed.

< to be printed on NPS Letterhead provided by NPS Wilderness Stewardship &
Recreation Management Division >
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
FALL 2008
Dear Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) ORV Permit Holder:
Thank you for your willingness to participate in this important study. Many individuals enjoy
backcountry ORV experiences in BICY and we would like for these to remain high-quality. For this
reason, the National Park Service and researchers from Clemson University are interested in finding
out more about your attitudes toward ORV driving in BICY. The information gained from this study will
only be used to assist us in improving the provision of education at BICY. The final data for this study
will be reported in broad statistical terms only, and your name will not be linked to your answers.
This questionnaire is being distributed to a select number of ORV visitors, so your participation is
essential! The questionnaire should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. When you are
finished, please place it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope and drop in any mailbox. After we
receive your questionnaire, we will remove your name from our list.
Your response is very important to the National Park Service. We ask you to complete the enclosed
survey independently. If you have any further questions about this study or need a replacement please
call Dr. Bob Powell at (864) 656-0787, email: [email protected]. He can also be reached at:
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
263 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,

Gary Oye
Chief – Wilderness Stewardship and Recreation Management Division
National Park Service
Washington D.C.

To be mailed to non-respondents 10 days after the questionnaire is mailed.

Dear BICY ORV Permit Holder,
Recently we sent you an ORV visitor
questionnaire. If you filled it out, thank you. If
not, this card is a friendly reminder and appeal
to ask that you please fill out and return the
ORV Visitor Survey. Your response is very
valuable to the success of this study and we
hope you will take the time to participate. If
you misplaced the survey and would like
another copy please email us at
[email protected] . I hope to hear from you
soon.

All the best,
Robert Powell
Wade Vagias
Clemson University

Dear BICY ORV Permit Holder,
Recently we sent you an OV visitor
questionnaire. If you filled it out, thank you. If
not, this card is a friendly reminder and appeal
to ask that you please fill out and return the
ORV Visitor Survey. Your response is very
valuable to the success of this study and we
hope you will take the time to participate. If
you misplaced the survey and would like
another copy please email us at
[email protected] . I hope to hear from you
soon.

All the best,
Robert Powell
Wade Vagias
Clemson University

To be mailed to non-respondents with another questionnaire 3 weeks after the original questionnaire is
mailed.

< Printed on NPS letterhead >
< Insert date here >
Dear OHV Visitor,
Several weeks ago we sent you an ORV visitor questionnaire. To the best of our knowledge, you have
not yet responded. If you completed and mailed your questionnaire within the last few days, thank you.
Otherwise, this letter is an appeal to ask that you please fill out and return the enclosed questionnaire,
which will provide useful information to Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) for improving visitor
education and off-road vehicle (ORV) management.
Your responses to this survey are very important because you are one of a select group of people who
were chosen to represent the attitudes and opinions of BICY ORV visitors. We recognize that your time
is valuable, but we hope that you will agree to take part in this voluntary survey. The final data for this
study will be reported in broad statistical terms only and your name will not be linked to your answers.
Finally, we hope you find the enclosed survey interesting to fill out. When you have completed the
survey, please place it in the postage paid envelope and drop it in any mailbox. If you have any
questions regarding the survey or would like information on the studies’ results, please contact me at
[email protected] or Wade Vagias at [email protected].
Thank you very much for your help with this valuable study.

Sincerely,

Robert Powell and Wade Vagias
Clemson University,
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management

Non-Response Phone Interview Form
Hello. This is _________________ calling from the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
at Clemson University, regarding your recent trip to _________________ National Park.
Could I speak to ________________________?
(If not available) Could I arrange a time to call back?

(If available) I am working with the National Park Service to try to better understand experiences of offhighway vehicle operators to Big Cypress National Preserve / Canyonlands National Park / Imperial
Sand Dunes National Recreation Area. I know you may have been too busy to fill out the questionnaire
that was mailed to you, but I wondered if you could spend about 5 minutes now with me answering a
few key questions?
(IF NO, FIND OUT WHEN IT WOULD BE CONVENIENT TO CALL AGAIN.)
INTERVIEW: Before we begin, I want to assure you that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
has approved this research under the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the control number and expiration
date, as well as additional information about this survey and its approval are available at your request.*
All of your answers are completely voluntary and your responses will be anonymous.
1. Did you operate an OHV/ORV in Big Cypress National Preserve / Canyonlands National Park /
Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area in 2008?
____ Yes
____ No
2. What is your age? ______________ YEARS
3. What is the highest level of education you have completed. Please mark one. [1.ED1]

___ Some high school
___ High School Diploma/GED
___ Some college

___ Bachelor’s Degree
___ Graduate Degree

4. In 2008, how many trips did you make to Big Cypress National Preserve / Canyonlands National
Park / Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area? _________

*Additional Information Provided upon Request.
OMB Approval number:
(Not yet assigned)
Expiration Date:
(Not yet assigned)
Person Collecting and Analyzing Information:
Robert Powell
Clemson University
263 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
864-656-0787
[email protected]

16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park
managers to better serve the public. Response to this request is voluntary. No action will be taken
against you for refusing to supply the information requested. The permanent data will not have your
telephone number recorded. When analysis of the survey is completed, all telephone number files will
be destroyed. Thus, the permanent data will be anonymous.
You may direct comments on the number of minutes required to respond, or on any other aspect of this
survey to:
Garry Oye
Wilderness Stewardship and Recreation Management
1201 “Eye” St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-513-7090
[email protected]

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - TL!_package_rev_7-23-09.doc
Author	JGramann
File Modified	2009-07-23
File Created	2009-07-23