KRNCA Lost Coast Trail Mail-Back Survey

OMB #xxxx-xxxx, Exp/ 00/00/xxxx

Lost Coast Trail

Visitor Survey 2013

Humboldt State University

1. Was this your first trip to the Lost Coast Trail?

( ) Yes

( ) No. If no, how many times have you visited the Lost Coast Trail before this trip?

_____ times.

2. About how many miles, one-way, did you travel from home to the Lost Coast Trail? _____ miles.

3. Did you camp overnight away from your vehicle along the Lost Coast Trail?

( ) No.

( ) Yes. How many nights? ­­­­_____ nights.

4. How much did you spend traveling to and from the Lost Coast Trail? (Please include gas, lodging, food, and any other costs you incurred for your trip.)

$ __________

5. We are interested in knowing what activities you participated in during this visit to the Lost Coast Trail, and how important each activity was to your decision to make this trip. Remember, we are talking about your visit to the area away from the road and trailhead. Please check one of three responses for each activity.

This activity was a major reason for this trip.

Participated, but not a major reason for this trip.

Did not participate in this activity.

Fishing ( ) ( ) ( )

Backpack camping ( ) ( ) ( )

Hiking ( ) ( ) ( )

Camping with stock ( ) ( ) ( )

Horseback riding ( ) ( ) ( )

Wildlife viewing ( ) ( ) ( )

Nature study/enjoying scenery ( ) ( ) ( )

Collecting (e.g. shells) ( ) ( ) ( )

Photography ( ) ( ) ( )

Surfing ( ) ( ) ( )

Scouting places to hunt ( ) ( ) ( )

Hunting ( ) ( ) ( )

Partying ( ) ( ) ( )

Socializing ( ) ( ) ( )

Visiting lighthouse ( ) ( ) ( )

Abalone diving ( ) ( ) ( )

Tidepool exploration ( ) ( ) ( )

Boating ( ) ( ) ( )

6. People recreate for many reasons. Please indicate 1) how important each of the following was as a reason for your visit to the Lost Coast; and 2) the extent to which you were able to obtain that experience.

Importance

Able to Obtain

Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important

Not at all able Slightly able Moderately able Completely able

	a. solitude—to get away from other people	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	b. reduce tension—to slow down mentally	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	c. to be with others who enjoy similar things	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	d. to experience spiritual growth or nurture personal values	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	e. to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	f. to feel freedom from society’s restrictions	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	g. to exercise—to keep physically fit	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	h. to spend time with family and/or others	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	i. to meet other people	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	j. to recharge my creative batteries	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4
	k. to learn about nature	1 2 3 4	1 2 3 4

7. Managers would like to know how people learn about the Lost Coast Trail so they can improve the quality of visitor information. Please indicate the source(s) of information you used to plan your trip. Circle the letters of all the sources you used.

	a. personal experience		g. books
	b. friends or relatives		h. information from the BLM
	c. magazine articles		i. information from other state or federal land management agencies
	d. newspaper articles		j. Internet: (circle letter[s]) a. BLM webpage b. non-BLM webpage: please name ___________________________ c. non-BLM webpage: don’t know which
	e. travel pamphlets or brochures		k. commercial outfitter or guide service
	f. maps		l. other (please describe): ______________________________

Please write the letter (from the list above) of the source you consider your primary source of information on the Lost Coast Trail. ________________________________________________

How helpful was this primary source of information in helping you prepare for your Lost Coast Trail trip?

( ) very helpful ( ) somewhat helpful ( ) not very helpful

Please indicate the information sources from which you would most prefer to receive information about the Lost Coast Trail. Just write in the letters from the list above.

1^st preference _____ 2^nd preference _____ 3^rd preference _____

8. Regarding your most recent visit, how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Since visiting the Lost Coast Trail:

	a. I have more peace of mind.	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	b. I am physically healthier.	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	c. I feel closer to the people I visited with.	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	d. I increased my appreciation for the environment and public lands.	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

9. What would you describe as the most overall satisfying aspect of your trip? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What would you describe as the most dissatisfying aspect of your trip? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Did you watch the “Lost Coast Adventure” video that the BLM provides on Leave No Trace camping practices? ( ) Yes ( ) No

Have you read the Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics pamphlet for Temperate Coastal Zones?

( ) Yes ( ) No

11. Did you use a bear canister on your most recent trip to the Lost Coast Trail?

( ) Yes ( ) No ( ) Not applicable—didn’t camp overnight

If no, why not?__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you did use a bear canister, did you:

( ) rent? ( ) own?

12. Did a bear visit your campsite? ( ) Yes ( ) No ( ) Didn’t camp

If yes, did it damage your equipment? ( ) Yes ( ) No

Did the bear obtain any of your food? ( ) Yes ( ) No

If yes to any of the above, please briefly describe the location and incident. ________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How many people, including yourself, were in your group? _____

14. Do you feel that limits are needed on the number of people using the Lost Coast Trail, recognizing that if so, your own opportunity to visit the area in the future may be limited? Please check one of the following:

( ) Yes, limits are needed now to lower the current level of use.

( ) Yes, limits are needed now to hold use at about the current level.

( ) No, there should be no limits now or in the future on the number of people using the Lost Coast Trail.

( ) No limits are needed now, but should be implemented in the future if and when overuse occurs. If you check this response, please explain how you would decide that the area was being overused: _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

15. We would like to know about the number of groups you met along the Lost Coast Trail. A group is one or more people traveling or camping together. Please indicate the least number of groups you saw in a single day, then the most number in a single day. If you visited for only one day, simply enter the number of each in the first column. Also, please tell us how you felt about the number of visitors you saw during your visit to the Lost Coast Trail.

Least in a single day

Most in a single day

Saw too many

Saw neither too few nor too many

Saw too few

Doesn’t matter

	a. groups of hikers, backpackers and equestrians you saw on the trail	_____	_____	( )	( )	( )	( )
	b. groups camped within sight or sound of you (day users leave blank)	_____	_____	( )	( )	( )	( )

16. How many large groups did you see on your visit? (Large groups are parties of five or more individuals camping or traveling together.)

Number of large groups _____

How many groups did you see that you felt were too large?

Number of groups _____

In your opinion, at what size does a group become too large? _____

17. Do you feel there should be a limit to the size of groups visiting the Lost Coast Trail?

( ) No ( ) Yes

If yes, what is the maximum number of people that should be permitted in any one group? _____

18. If use of the area became too heavy, and controls on use were absolutely necessary, how would you feel about each of the following policies?

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Neutral

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

a. Implement a permit system and:

		i. issue a limited number of permits on a first-come first-serve basis	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
		ii. issue a limited number of permits based on a drawing or lottery	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
		iii. issue a limited number of permits through a mail or internet reservation system	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

b. Discourage use by:

		i. charging a flat rate user fee	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
		ii. charging a higher fee at the busiest times	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

c. Limit the maximum number of people per group

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

d. Achieve better spacing between groups by:

	i. providing better information on when heavy use occurs	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	ii. assigning designated campsites to each group	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

e. Other, please specify:__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

19. Managers must often strike a balance between protecting resources, providing for human health and safety, and respecting personal freedoms and visitors’ desire to get away from the controls of society. With this in mind:

a. How do you feel about the following regulations and their impacts on your recreational experience? Also, indicate if you did not know it was required.

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Neutral

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Didn’t know it was required

	i. use of required bear-proof food storage canisters	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	ii. total campfire ban during declared fire season (usually July 1 to the first rain in autumn)	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	iii. required campfire permit, even for stove use when campfires are not allowed	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

b. How would you feel about the following encounters with BLM employees in the backcountry?

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Neutral

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

	i. meet Backcountry Ranger (non-law enforcement) on the trail to provide information and assistance, promote backcountry ethics, and remind people of current regulations	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	ii. have Backcountry Ranger (non-law enforcement) visit you in your campsite to provide information and assistance, promote backcountry ethics, and remind people of the current regulations	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	iii. have Law Enforcement Ranger patrol the backcountry, provide information, and enforce regulations to protect resources	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

c. If you encountered a BLM ranger on your visit, was the encounter: (circle all that apply)

i. educational

ii. helpful

iii. positive

iv. negative

v. interfered with my recreational experience

vi. I did not encounter a ranger.

20. It is important that managers know how knowledgeable their visitors are about low-impact camping practices, and to what extent these practices are followed. Please indicate whether each of the following items is the correct low-impact practice, and then indicate whether or not you followed this practice.

Correct practice?

Did you do?

		Yes/True	No/False	Always	Sometimes	Never
	a. extinguishing campfires with sand is acceptable	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	b. burying food scraps is a proper disposal method	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	c. burying feces and toilet paper in the wet sand below high tide mark is the preferred sanitation method on the Lost Coast	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	d. collecting sea life from tidepools is acceptable as long as only small amounts are taken	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	e. one should never approach seals or sea lions on the beach	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	f. cooking on a stove causes less site impact than cooking over a campfire	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	g. hanging and burying food are acceptable food storage methods on the Lost Coast	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	h. washing in streams is acceptable as long as you use biodegradable soap	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	i. in high use areas like the Lost Coast, it is best to choose a campsite that has already been impacted	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	j. when camping in a pristine location (i.e., no sign of others camping there before), it is O.K. to leave a fire ring for others to use, if it is in a safe location	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	k. you should always contact the BLM before you visit to check conditions and current regulations	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

If you know you did not follow a correct practice, please tell us why. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________21. The following items are problems you may have run into on your visit to the Lost Coast Trail. Please indicate how much of a problem each item was for you.

		Major Problem	Moderate Problem	Minor Problem	Not a Problem	Don’t Know
	a. trails poorly maintained	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	b. trails poorly marked	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	c. trail erosion	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	d. streams polluted by visitors	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	e. litter along trail or beach	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	f. litter in campsites	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	g. human waste	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	h. vandalism	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	i. uncontrolled pets off leash	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	j. off-highway motorized vehicles in backcountry areas	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	k. unattended or unsafe campfires	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	l. food or equipment stolen or damaged by wildlife	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	m. rowdy or noisy people	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	n. too many large groups	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	o. too many people in the area at the same time	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	p. visitor constructed driftwood shelters	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	q. visitors landing motorboats on the beach	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	r. motor vehicle tracks visible on the beach	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	s. low flying aircraft	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	t. houses and lights from Shelter Cove visible from the trail	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	u. too many rules and regulations	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
		Major Problem	Moderate Problem	Minor Problem	Not a Problem	Don’t Know
	v. lack of suitable campsites	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	w. too many fire rings	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	x. too many campsites showing deteriorating conditions	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	y. too many places where other groups have obviously camped	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	z. not enough campsite privacy	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

From the above list, please select one item that was the biggest impact to your visit, and where it occurred. Item letter: _____ Where: ___________________________________________________

22. Did the behavior of any other group or individual interfere with your enjoyment of the Lost Coast Trail on the visit?

( ) No. (go to next question)

( ) Yes. If yes, please indicate what type of group interfered with your enjoyment of the Lost Coast:

( ) hikers/backpackers

( ) surfers

( ) groups camped within sight or sound

( ) hunters

( ) stock (horse/llama/goat) users

( ) other, please describe: _________________________________________________

Please describe the behavior or incident that interfered: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Did you notice any environmental impacts to the Lost Coast Trail area that you believe were caused by other recreationists?

( ) No. (go to next question)

( ) Yes. If yes, please describe the impact to the Lost Coast Trail environment that you noticed: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. In an effort to accommodate growing numbers of visitors while maintaining the primitive and pristine setting of the Lost Coast Trail, managers must consider certain facility developments. With this in mind, how would you feel about the following facilities in a limited number of high-use areas:

		Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose
	a. pit toilets	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	b. bear-proof food storage lockers	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
	c. bear-proof food storage poles	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )

25. Please indicate how important each of the following services was to you when you visited the Lost Coast Trail. Then, using a school report card format, please grade the BLM with an A (excellent), B (above average or very good), C (average), D (below average or not very good), F (failing), or DK (don’t know) to let us know how well you think the BLM is managing the area with regard to each of these services.

		Very Important	Important	Somewhat Important	Not Very Important	Grade for BLM
	a. Information signs at trailheads have necessary information	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	b. helpful directional signs to the area	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	c. clean restrooms	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	d. access roads in good condition	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	e. adequate parking	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	f. telephone requests handled without delay	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	g. prompt response to written requests	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	h. BLM people in the area are professional and competent	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	i. BLM people in the area are friendly and courteous	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	j. your vehicle is safe from the threat of vandalism	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	k. managers notify you of natural hazards in the area	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	l. able to leave a phone message for managers	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	m. opportunity for personal freedom without too much restriction by managers	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
		Very Important	Important	Somewhat Important	Not Very Important	Grade for BLM
	n. able to find a BLM person when needed	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	o. brochures/maps clearly communicate information about recreation opportunities	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	p. adequate information provided on low impact camping techniques	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	q. BLM internet webpage adequate and up to date	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	r. area rules and regulations well publicized	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	s. information on trails	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	t. information on number of other users	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	u. information on when the area is heavily used	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	v. information on the area’s natural or cultural history	( )	( )	( )	( )	____
	w. BLM office open during convenient times	( )	( )	( )	( )	____

What are convenient times/days for you? ____________________________________________

26. If fees were charged, and the money collected went toward protecting and maintaining this area, what is the most you would be willing to pay for use of the Lost Coast Trail?

( ) Willing to pay $ __________ per person per day

$ __________ per person per visit

( ) Not willing to pay

If you said you would not be willing to pay, could you please tell us why not? _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Finally, in order to make comparisons with visitors to other similar areas, we would like some general information about you. All information is anonymous and will not be identified with your name.

27. If this was not your first visit to the Lost Coast Trail:

How many years ago did you first visit the Lost Coast Trail? _____years ago

How many times have you visited the Lost Coast Trail in the last 12 months (not counting this trip)? _____ times

28. What is your age? _____years

29. Are you: ( ) Female ( ) Male

30. Are you Hispanic or Latino? (A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.)

( ) Yes ( ) No

31. Please select the racial category or categories with which you most closely identify. Check as many as apply.

( ) American Indian or Alaska Native

( ) Asian

( ) Black or African-American

( ) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

( ) White

32. What is the highest level of education you have attained? (circle one.)

Grade School High School College Graduate School

33. What state do you live in? __________________________________

If California, what county? _______________________________

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Your answers to these questions will help the BLM better manage this area, protect important resources, and maintain quality recreational opportunities for you and for generations to come. Space is provided on the next page for any additional comments you may have.

Correct answers to question #20: a. F b. F c. T d. F e. T f. T g. F h. F i. T j. F k. T

Are there any other issues that Lost Coast managers need to address or any other comments you would like to make about the Lost Coast Trail and its management? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1004-XXXX), 1849 C Street, NW, Room 2134LM, Attention:  Bureau Information Collection Clearance Officer (WO-630), Washington, D.C. 20240.