Examining Visitor Use & User Characteristics at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE)

For the purposes of this review and submission the justifications for each question or section of questions is highlighted in a shaded text box above each question. These text boxes will not be printed on the final version of the surveys. The Topic Areas noted are consistent with the currently approved pool questions for the NPS Programmatic Review Process (1024-0224 – Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2014). The questions that are slight variations are denoted as such. Any questions that are outside the general scope of the programmatic review process have been carefully discussed and generally approved by the NPS Information Collection Review Coordinator with understanding that that those questions will require further review and consideration by OMB before full determination and approval can be granted.

North Manitou Island Visitor Study

Dear Visitor, Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. It should only take about 10 minutes to answer the questions and return the complete survey to the on-site personnel. This very short survey will be used to help the managers of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore to understand more about the visitors like you who are visiting North Manitou Island. Thank you for your help.

TOPIC AREA 1: VISITHIS2

1. Including this trip, how many times have you visited _______ # of visits

North Manitou Island?

TOPIC AREA 3: TRIPC1

2. How many miles did you travel from your residential home to visit

North Manitou Island this year?

_______ miles

TOPIC AREA 1: GR3

3. Including yourself, how many people were in your group? ______ # of people

TOPIC AREA 3: TRIPC3

4. How many NIGHTS did you spend on North Manitou Island? _____ Nights

TOPIC AREA 1: KNOW2

5. Prior to your visit, were you aware that North Manitou Island is

managed by the National Park Service? (Circle one) 1. Yes 2. No

TOPIC AREA 1: GEND1

6. Are you: (Circle one) 1. Female 2. Male

TOPIC AREA 1- AGE3

7. What is your age? _____ Years

TOPIC AREA 1- ED2 (Variation)

8. What is the highest level of education in years you have attained? (Circle one number that best represents your education)

8 9 10 11	12	13 14 15 16	17 18 19 20 21
Less than a high school diploma	High school graduate or GED	Undergraduate college degree (BS, BA, etc)	Graduate degree (MS, PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

TOPIC AREA 1: GR1

9. Which best describes your group? (Circle one response)

1. Family (immediate family and relatives)

2. Friends

3. Family and Friends

4. Alone

5. Organization or club – please give type_________________________

6. Other

TOPIC AREA 4 – PA1

10. North Manitou Island (NMI) may have many different roles in people’s lives. As you think about North Manitou Island please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement below. (Circle one number for each statement)

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

a. I am very attached to NMI. 1 2 3 4 5

b. NMI is the best place for what I like to do. 1 2 3 4 5

c. I get more satisfaction out of visiting NMI 1 2 3 4 5

than any other.

d. NMI is very special to me. 1 2 3 4 5

e. Doing what I do at NMI is more 1 2 3 4 5

important to me than doing it in any other place.

North Manitou Island is

f. A place to escape from civilization. 1 2 3 4 5

g. The real “north woods.” 1 2 3 4 5

h. A place of high environmental quality. 1 2 3 4 5

i. A pristine wilderness. 1 2 3 4 5

TOPIC AREA 6: TRUST (Variation)

The National Park Service is responsible for managing recreation use on the Crystal River. Its mission is to conserve nature, wildlife, and historical objects while providing for their enjoyment for the public and future generations. As you think about your interaction with the National Park Service please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement below. (Circle one number for each statement)

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly Agree	Don’t Know

aa. The National Park Service shares my values

about how the Crystal River should be managed. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ab. I share the National Park Service’s goals for

the Crystal River. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ac. The National Park Service supports my views

about the Crystal River. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ad. I trust the National Park Service in their efforts

to manage the Crystal River. 1 2 3 4 5 X

The connection I have with the National Park Service

ae… is something I really care about. 1 2 3 4 5 X

af… is something I intend to maintain indefinitely. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ag… deserves my maximum effort to maintain. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ah… is very important to me. 1 2 3 4 5 X

ai … is something I am very committed to. 1 2 3 4 5 X

aj … is very much like being family. 1 2 3 4 5 X

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD 1

11. How crowded did you feel while on North Manitou Island? (Circle one number)

Not at all Crowded		Somewhat Crowded		Moderately Crowded		Very Crowded		Extremely Crowded
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD 15

12. What is the total number of other groups you saw while

on North Manitou Island? ______ # of Groups

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD 20

13. What is the total number of other groups you would prefer to see

during your trip on North Manitou Island? ______ # of Groups

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD20 (Variation)

14. What is the maximum number of other groups you could see during

your trip before you no longer would use North Manitou Island? ______ # of Groups

TOPIC AREA 5: VERP1 (Variation)

15. We would like to know how many other groups you think are acceptable to see without North Manitou Island being too crowded. Please rate the acceptability of each of the following numbers of other groups seen on your trip.

Very Unacceptable

Unacceptable

Slightly Unacceptable

Neutral

Slightly Acceptable

Acceptable

Very Acceptable

See no other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 5 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 10 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 15 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 20 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 30 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 40 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

See up to 50 other groups -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD17

16. Please estimate the following for your wilderness visit: (Enter a number in all three columns for each item)

Least in a Most in a Total

Single Day Single Day For Trip

a. the number of groups you saw

while hiking _____ _____ _____

b. the number of groups that camped within

sight or sound of your campsite _____ _____ _____

d. the number of groups that hiked within

sight or sound of your campsite _____ _____ _____

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT12 (Variation)

17. How did the following compare with what you expected to see on North Manitou Island?

(Circle one scale response for each statement)

About

Far What I Far Had no

Fewer Fewer Expected More More Preference

a. the number of

groups you saw on the river FF F P M FM X

b. the number of groups you

saw at the put-in FF F P M FM X

c. the number of groups you

saw at the take out FF F P M FM X

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT12 (Variation)

18. How did the following compare with what you preferred to see on North Manitou Island?

(Circle one scale response for each statement)

About

Far What I Far Had no

Fewer Fewer Expected More More Preference

a. the number of

groups you saw on the river FF F P M FM X

b. the number of groups you

saw at the put-in FF F P M FM X

c. the number of groups you

saw at the take out FF F P M FM X

TOPIC AREA 4: PREF1

19. Below is a list of possible experiences you may have sought while visiting North Manitou Island Please indicate how important the experience is to you on your visit to North Manitou Island (1 being not important, and 5 being extremely important):

Not at all Important

Slightly Important

Moderately Important

Very Important

Extremely Important

Experience:

To show yourself you could do it 1 2 3 4 5

To be away from the everyday routine of home 1 2 3 4 5

To be in a natural setting 1 2 3 4 5

To share quality time with family/friends 1 2 3 4 5

To develop my knowledge of the area 1 2 3 4 5

To be with people who have similar interests 1 2 3 4 5

To develop a sense of self pride 1 2 3 4 5

To gain a sense of self-confidence 1 2 3 4 5

To get away from crowded areas 1 2 3 4 5

To enjoy the natural scenery 1 2 3 4 5

To do something with my family/friends 1 2 3 4 5

To learn more about nature 1 2 3 4 5

To talk to new and varied people 1 2 3 4 5

To learn what you are capable of 1 2 3 4 5

To experience the solitude/privacy 1 2 3 4 5

To enjoy the tranquility of the area 1 2 3 4 5

To bring family/friends closer together 1 2 3 4 5

To learn about the natural history of the area 1 2 3 4 5

To meet new people 1 2 3 4 5

To party with friends and family 1 2 3 4 5

To test your abilities 1 2 3 4 5

TOPIC AREA 4: PREF (Variation)

20. From the list above, please tell us which of the experiences you valued the most during your visit on the Crystal River?

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT6

21. We are interested in the type of management you think is appropriate on NMI. Please

indicate the degree to which you support or oppose the following management actions that are sometimes used in a backcountry setting (Circle one number for each item).

Strongly Oppose Neither support Support Strongly

Oppose nor oppose Support

1. Allowing dispersed 1 2 3 4 5

camping

2. Designating campsites 1 2 3 4 5

3. Allowing day use 1 2 3 4 5

4. Ranger presence 1 2 3 4 5

5. Providing pit toilets 1 2 3 4 5

6. Providing potable water 1 2 3 4 5

7. Restricting camping 1 2 3 4 5

within 300 ft of water

8. Restricting camping

within 100 ft of a trail 1 2 3 4 5

9. Limiting the number

of permits following

public consultation 1 2 3 4 5

TOPIC AREA 4: PREF1

22. How important were each of the following factors in choosing a site to camp overnight?

	Not at all important	Slightly Important	Moderately Important	Very Important	Extremely Important
Solitude	1	2	3	4	5
Proximity to drinking water	1	2	3	4	5
Proximity to the beach/Lake Michigan	1	2	3	4	5
Tree cover	1	2	3	4	5
Proximity of sand dunes	1	2	3	4	5
Distance from historical buildings	1	2	3	4	5
Presence of windbreaks	1	2	3	4	5
Scenic view	1	2	3	4	5
Privacy from other campsites	1	2	3	4	5
Site development (log benches, tent pads)	1	2	3	4	5
Other ___________________	1	2	3	4	5

TOPIC AREA 3: FVIS1 (Variation)

23. Do you plan to return to North Manitou Island in the future? 1. Yes 2. No

TOPIC AREA 6: EVALSERV17 (Variation)

24. How satisfied are you with the current management of North Manitou Island?

(Circle one number)

Not at all satisfied		Somewhat satisfied		Moderately Satisfied		Very Satisfied		Extremely Satisfied
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 6: EVALSERV36

25. How would you rate the quality of your overall experience on North Manitou Island?

Very Poor		Poor		Neutral		Good		Very Good
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 6: EVALSERV10

25a. How would you rate interactions with park staff on North Manitou Island?

Very Poor		Poor		Neutral		Good		Very Good
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 6:: EVALTRAN5

25b. How would you rate your service on the ferry?

Very Poor		Poor		Neutral		Good		Very Good
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 6: EVALSERV10

25c. How would you rate information during orientation on North Manitou Island?

Very Poor		Poor		Neutral		Good		Very Good
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT7

26. These items represent conditions you may have encountered on North Manitou Island. Please indicate two things for each item. First, whether you felt the item was a problem during the visit. Second, whether you feel the situation has become better or worse over the years you have been coming to North Manitou Island. If this was your first trip, or if you really don’t know the trend, circle the X for ‘Don’t Know.’

First, is it: ║ Second, is it:

Not a A ║ Getting Getting Don’t

Problem Problem ║ Better Worse Know

║

a. Bank Erosion N Y ║ + – X

║

║

b. Noisy/Loud Groups N Y ║ + – X

║

║

c. Social trails N Y ║ + – X

║

║

d. Vegetation Damage N Y ║ + – X

║

║

e. Litter N Y ║ + – X

║

║

f. Conflicts between users N Y ║ + – X

║

║

g. Improper disposal ║

of human waste N Y ║ + – X

║

║

h. Large groups of people N Y ║ + – X

║

║

i. Other camps visible N Y ║ + – X

from the beach

TOPIC AREA 2: TPLAN1

27. Prior to this visit, how did you and your group obtain information about North Manitou Island? (Circle all that apply)

1. Obtained no prior information

2. Live in local area

3. Family/friends

4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore visitor center

5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore website

6. Newspaper or magazine (please specify) ________________________________

7. Previous visitor

8. Manitou Island Transit website

9. Other (please specify) ____________________________________________

TOPIC AREA 3: TRIPC1

27. What was the purpose of your trip to North Manitou? (circle all that apply)

10. Solitude

11. Camping and Hiking opportunities

12. Fishing/ Hunting

13. To observe the natural features of the island

14. To observe the cultural resources and history of the island

15. Other ___________________________________________________

28a. Of the above, which one was the most important purpose of your trip to North

Manitou? (circle only one answer)

1. Solitude

2. Camping and Hiking opportunities

3. Fishing/ Hunting

4. To observe the natural features of the island

5. To observe the cultural resources and history of the island

6. Other ___________________________________________________

TOPIC AREA 2: TPLAN18 (Variation)

27. Did you feel you were well prepared for your trip?

1. Yes 2. No

29a. If no, why did you not feel prepared for your trip?

PLEASE USE THE REMAINING SPACE TO MAKE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS

PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement: The National Park Service is authorized by16 U.S.C. 1a-7 to collect this information. This information will be used by Sleeping Bear National Park managers to understand visitor experiences and attitudes about current management at North Manitou Island. Response to this request is voluntary. No action may be taken against you refusing to supply the information requested. Please do not put your name or that of any member of your group on the questionnaire. All permanent data associated with this collection 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 and expiration date.

BURDEN ESTIMATE statement: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response. Please send any comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the NPS Information Collection Review Coordinator, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80525.

OMB Control Number 1024-0224

Current Expiration Date 8/31/2014

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