NPS Bundle - Three Wilderness and Backcountry Studies: Yosemite, Olympic and Kenai Fjords National Parks

KENAI FJORDS
VISITOR SURVEY
2012
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
COASTAL BACKCOUNTRY

Survey ID: ___________________
Date: _______________________
Time: _______________________
Location Survey Administered: _________________________________________
Commercial or Private Group: __________________________________________
Tour Company: _________________________________
Attendant: ______________________________________
Weather: _________ Warm
_________ Cool
_________ Sunny
_________ Partly Sunny
_________ Cloudy
_________ Foggy
_________ Rain
OMB Control Number: 1024-0224
Current Expiration Date 8/31/2014

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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..

Dear Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor:
The National Park Service is conducting this survey to learn more about our visitors’ experiences
in the backcountry coastal areas of the park and the conditions they encounter so that we can
improve our service to you. You are one of a select number of people randomly chosen for this
survey, so your opinions are important to us. The survey takes about 15minutes to complete and
all of the information collected will be anonymous. Please read each question carefully.
Section A: Trip Characteristics
We would like to know more about your backcountry experience in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
Topic Area 1 – GR3

1. How many people (including you) are in your personal group today? Your “personal group”

is anyone you are visiting the park with, such as spouse, family, or friends. It doesn’t include
the larger group you may be traveling with, such as a tour group or school groups.
Number of people: __________________

Topic Area 1 – GR1

2. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school group) were you with?
Please circle only one.
a. Alone
c. Family
b. Friends
d. Family and friends
e. Other (Please describe: _____________________________________________)

Topic Area 1 – GR2

3. On this visit, were you and your personal group with any of the following types of groups?
Please circle all that apply.
a. Guided tour group
b. School/educational group
c. Commercial tour
d. Other organized group (Please describe:
________________________________)

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Topic Area 3 – TRANS1

4. How did you access the coast? (Please circle all that apply.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Sea kayak
Chartered water taxi
Commercial outfitter service
Sea plane
Helicopter
Private watercraft
Other (Please specify: ______________________________________________)

Topic Area 3 – TRIPC8 (variation)

5. How would you describe your trip to the coast?

a. Day trip (did not spend the night in the backcountry)  Proceed to Question 8
b. Multi-day trip (spent 1 or more nights in the backcountry)

Topic Area 3 – TRIPC8

6. What was the length of your trip in days?
Length of trip: __________________ days
Topic Area 3 – TRIPC3

7. Did you spend the night at any of the following areas? (Circle all that apply.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Aialik Public Use Cabin
Holgate Cabin
North Arm Cabin
Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Backcountry campsite (Please specify areas: ____________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________)

Topic Area 1 – VISITHIS2

8. Have you visited Kenai Fjords National Park before this trip?
a. Yes
b. No  Proceed to Question 10

If YES, approximately how many times have you visited Kenai Fjords National Park
before this trip?
Number of previous visits: _____________________

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Topic Area 6 – EVALSERV3
9a. What did you enjoy most about your visit?
Topic Area 6 – EVALSERV2
b. What did you enjoy least about your visit?

Topic Area 6 – OPMGMT1
c. If you could ask the National Park Service to change some things about the way it manages
Kenai Fjords, what would you ask it to do?

Topic Area – PREF1
10. Below is a list of possible reasons for visiting Kenai Fjords National Park. For each item please
indicate 1) how important the reason for visiting is to you, and 2) the extent to which you
were able to achieve each motivation. (Circle one number under IMPORTANCE and one
number under ACHIEVED for each item.)

Slightly

Moderately

Very

Extremely
important

Not at all
achieved

Slightly

Moderately

Fully
achieved

ACHIEVED

Not at all
important

IMPORTANCE

a. To learn about the cultural
history of this area

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

b. To learn about the natural
environment of this area

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

c. To be with family and/or
friends

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

d. To get exercise

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

e. To experience solitude

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

f. To experience peace and
tranquility

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

g. To view wildlife

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

h. To view natural scenery

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

4

i. To view glaciers

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

j. Other (please specify:
__________________________)

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

Section B: Perceptions of Experience
Topic Area 4 – TpB1
We would like to know how you feel about your experience in the backcountry at Kenai Fjords
National Park.
11. The following statements relate to your backcountry experience at Kenai Fjords. Please
indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with each statement. (Circle one
number for each item.)

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither
Disagree Nor
Agree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Don’t Know /
Doesn’t Apply

LEVEL OF AGREEMENT

a. Opportunities to view wildlife are sufficient

1

2

3

4

5

6

b. There are too many kayak groups on the coast

1

2

3

4

5

6

c. There are too many tour boats

1

2

3

4

5

6

d. There is too much noise from motor boats

1

2

3

4

5

6

e. There is too much noise from visitors

1

2

3

4

5

6

f. Visitors are harassing wildlife

1

2

3

4

5

6

g. Visitors are damaging ghost trees

1

2

3

4

5

6

h. Trampled vegetation is a problem at backcountry
campsites

1

2

3

4

5

6

i. Soil erosion is a problem at backcountry campsites

1

2

3

4

5

6

j. Litter is a problem at backcountry campsites

1

2

3

4

5

6

k. The presence of tent rocks/rock piles left by visitors is
a problem at backcountry campsites

1

2

3

4

5

6

l. Trampled vegetation is a problem at landing beaches

1

2

3

4

5

6

m. Soil erosion is a problem at landing beaches

1

2

3

4

5

6

n. Litter is a problem at landing beaches

1

2

3

4

5

6

o. Managers should heavily restrict use of backcountry
campsites.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Statement

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p. The number of boats allowed to access backcountry
areas should be heavily restricted.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Section C: Visitor Standards of Backcountry Social and Resource Conditions
We would like to know more about your view of social and resource conditions in the coastal
backcountry of Kenai Fjords National Park. To help judge this, please rate each of the
following conditions by indicating how acceptable you find them. A rating of “-4” means the
condition is “highly unacceptable,” and a rating of “+4” means the condition is “highly
acceptable.” (Circle one number for each condition)
Topic Area 5 – VERP1 (variation)

Unacceptable
VeryModerately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Very Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Slightly
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Highly
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly Acceptable
Slightly
Neutral
Moderately
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Very
Very Acceptable
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Acceptable
Very
HighlyAcceptable
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Very Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Very Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable

Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

12a. We would like to know how many other kayak groups you think it is acceptable to see
each day without causing you to feel too crowded. Please rate the acceptability of each of
the following numbers of other kayak groups seen per day. A rating of -4 means the time is
“highly unacceptable”, and a rating of +4 means the time is “highly acceptable”. (Circle one
number for each line.)

No other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

2 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

4 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

6 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

10 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

14 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

18 other kayak groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

More than 18 other kayak
groups

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

b. What is the number of other kayak groups per day that you would prefer to see during your
trip?
Preferred number of other kayak groups seen per day: ___________
c. What is the maximum number of other kayak groups per day that you think you could see
before you would no longer visit the coast? If you would continue to visit the coast
regardless of the number of other kayak groups seen, you may indicate that.
Maximum number of other kayak groups seen per day before you would no longer visit the
coast: _______________

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OR
θ I would continue to visit the backcountry regardless of the number of other kayak groups
seen
d. What is the maximum number of other kayak groups seen per day that you think the
National Park Service should allow on the coast? In other words, at what point do you think
visitors should be restricted from accessing the coast? If you think the number of kayak
groups should not be restricted, you may indicate that.
Maximum number of kayak groups seen per day that should be allowed: _________
OR
θ The number of kayak groups should not be restricted.
e. What is the approximate number of other kayak groups you saw per day during your trip?
Approximate number of kayak groups seen: _______________________
For the following questions in this section, we have prepared series of photographs illustrating
conditions that could be encountered in Kenai Fjords National Park. The photographs can be
found in the binders that accompany this survey. Please rate each photograph by how
acceptable you find the condition illustrated. A rating of “-4” means the photograph is “highly
unacceptable,” and a rating of “+4” means the photograph is “highly acceptable.” (Circle one
number for each photo.)
Topic Area 5 – VERP1

Photo 1…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 2…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 3…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 4…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

7

Very
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Very Acceptable

Very
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable

Very
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable

Unacceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Moderately
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Acceptable
Very
Acceptable
Very Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Acceptable
Highly
Acceptable
Very
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable

Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Highly Slightly
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Neutral
Moderately
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly

Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

13a. We would like to know how many and what types of boats could be in the fjords
without you feeling too crowded. To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that
show different numbers and kinds of watercrafts in an area of the fjords. Please rate each
photograph by indicating how acceptable you find it based your perception of level
crowding shown. A rating of -4 means the condition is “highly unacceptable”, and a rating of
+4 means the time is “highly acceptable”. (Circle one number for each line.)

Photo 5…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 6…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 7…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 8…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

b. Which photograph shows the number and types of boats you would prefer to see?
Photo number: ___________
c. Which photograph shows the number and types of boats that is so unacceptable that you
would no longer visit the fjords? In none of the photographs represent this condition, you
may indicate that.
Photo number: __________
OR
θ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would no longer visit the fjords.
d. Which photograph shows the condition at which you think management action should be
taken to limit boats within the fjords? If you think access should not be restricted at any
point represented in the photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.
Photo number:________
OR
θ None of the photographs show a condition at which boats should be restricted from
accessing the fjords.
OR
θ Boat access to the fjords should not be limited.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number and type of boats you typically saw during
your trip in the backcountry?
Photo number: ____________
Topic Area 5 – CROWD1
14. How crowded did you feel during your trip to the coast? (Circle one number.)

1

Not at all
Crowded

2

Somewhat
Crowded
3
4

5

Moderately
Crowded
6
7

Extremely
Crowded
8
9

8

Photo 1…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 2…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 3…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 4…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Photo 5…

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Very
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Very Acceptable
Acceptable

Very
Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable

Very
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable

Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Highly Slightly
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Very
Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Slightly
Moderately
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Neutral
Moderately
Unacceptable
Moderately
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Moderately
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Acceptable
Very
Acceptable
Very Acceptable
Acceptable
Moderately
Slightly
Acceptable
Acceptable
Highly
Acceptable
Very
Acceptable
Moderately
Acceptable
Acceptable
Slightly
Acceptable

Unacceptable
Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

Very Unacceptable

15a. Use of backcountry campsites can result in environmental impact. How much impact
do you think is acceptable to see at backcountry campsites along the coast? A rating of -4
means the time is “highly unacceptable”, and a rating of +4 means the time is “highly
acceptable”. (Circle one number for each line.)

b. Which photograph shows the campsite condition you would prefer to see at backcountry
campsites?
Photo number: ____________
c. Which photograph shows the amount of impact that is so unacceptable that you would no
longer camp at backcountry sites? If none of the photographs represent this condition, you
may indicate that.
Photo number: ____________
OR
θ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would no longer camp at
backcountry campsites.
d. Which photograph shows the highest level of impact that you think the National Park
Service should allow at backcountry campsites? In other words, at what point do you think
management action should be taken to limit the amount of environmental impact at
campsites? If you think management action should not be taken at any point represented
in the photographs, or no management action should be taken at all, you may indicate
that.
Photo number:________
OR

9

θ None of the photographs show a high enough level of environmental impact to justify
management intervention at backcountry campsites.
OR
θ There should be no management intervention at backcountry campsites.
e. Which photograph looks most like the amount of environmental impact you typically saw at
backcountry campsites?
Photo number: __________
OR
θ I did not visit any backcountry campsites.
Section D: Background
We would like to collect some background information. Please answer the following questions
to the best of your ability.
Topic Area 1 – RES1
16. Do you live in the United States?
a. Yes (if so, what is your ZIP code? _________________________)
b. No (If not, what country do you live in? _______________________________)

Topic Area 1 – AGE2
17. In what year were you born?
Year born: _________________________
Topic Area – GEND1
18. What is your gender?
a. Male
b. Female
Topic Area – ED1
19. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Circle one number.)
a. Less than high school
b. High school graduate/GED
c. Vocational/trade school certificate
d. Some college

10

e. Two-year college degree
f. Four-year college degree
g. Graduate degree
Topic Area 1 – RACE/ETH2
20. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
a. Yes, Hispanic or Latino
b. No, not Hispanic or Latino
Topic Area 1 – RACE/ETH 4
21. What is your race? (Please circle one or more.)
a. American Indian or Alaska Native
b. Asian
c. Black or African American
d. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
e. White
Topic Area 3 – ACT25 (variation)
22. Does anyone in your group have a physical condition that made it difficult to access or
participate in park activities?
a. Yes
b. No
If YES, because of the physical condition, what specific problems did the person have?
(Please circle all that apply.)
a. Hearing (difficulty hearing ranger programs, guides, audiovisual exhibits or
programs, or information desk staff, even with hearing aid)
b. Visual (difficulty in seeing exhibits, directional signs, visual aids that are part of a
program, even with prescribed glasses or due to blindness)
c. Mobility (difficulty in accessing facilities, services, programs, even with walking
aid and/or wheelchair)
d. Other (Please explain) _______________________________________________
Topic Area 6 – OPMGMT3
23. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your visit to Kenai Fjords National Park?

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Thank you for your help with this survey!
Please return this questionnaire to the surveyor.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: The National Park Service is authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1a-7 to collect this
information. We will use this information will be used by park managers to learn more about our visitors’ experiences
in the backcountry coastal areas of the park and the conditions they encounter. Your responses are voluntary and
completely anonymous. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number and expiration date.
BURDEN ESTIMATE STATEMENT: We estimate that it will take an average of 15minutes to complete this
questionnaire. Please direct any comments that you have concern this collection to Laura Phillips, Ecologist, Kenai
Fjords National Park, (907) 422-0540, [email protected] (email).

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