Forest Service Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey – Surveys completed

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Survey Number: ________   		OMB #0596-0229   Expires XX/XX/201X
 

Flathead National Forest
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5200
Flathead Wild & Scenic River 
Visitor Survey 2013

Glacier National Park
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-7800




Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park River Managers would like to find out about your visit to better understand what you value about this section of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River System.  The information you provide will help us better manage the river for your enjoyment and to retain the Wild & Scenic River values and prepare a Comprehensive River Management Plan to guide the management of the river and the protection of its Outstanding Remarkable Values.  Please note this survey is for ALL Flathead River corridoor/area users including floaters, campers, hikers, stock parties, and any other groups recreating in or adjacent to the river within approxitaly ¼ mile.  

Privacy and Paperwork Reduction Act statements:  16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorized collection of this information.  This information will be used by the U.S. Forest Service to better serve the public.  Response to this request is voluntary.  No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the information requested.  When analysis of the questionnaires is completed, all name and address files will be destroyed.  Thus, the permanent data will be anonymous.  Please do not put your name or that of any member of your group on the questionnaire.


We appreciate your assistance in helping us manage the Flathead Wild and Scenic River. 
Please contact the following people if you have questions about this survey


River Manager
Hungry Horse –Glacier View Ranger Districts
(406) 387-3800

River Manager
Spotted Bear Ranger District
(406) 758-5376


Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0596-0229.  The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 20 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.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
What is the zip code for your primary residence? _________

    (1)    What is your age?      16-20               30-39             50-59	 
      21-29               40-49             60-69          70+		
              	
This section asks about your activities during your recent visit to the Flathead River corridor/area (questions 3 to 8).
    (2)   When and where did you start and end your visit to the Flathead River?	
        a. What segment/section/area of the Flathead River did you visit?:____________________________________
        b. Beginning date:_________(month/day/year) starting from (trailhead/put-in/creek?):_____________________________________________________________________
        c. Ending date:__________(month/day/year) leaving from (trailhead/put-in/creek):______________________

    (3) About what percentage of this trip was devoted to recreation in the Flathead River corridor/area?
           0-20%         21-40%         41-60%         61-80%         81-100%

    (4) How many people were in your group, including yourself? _________________________________________
 
    (5) What activities did you participate in during your visit to the Flathead River? (check all that apply)

  Whitewater rafting
  Floating the river
  Photography
  Fishing
  Other_____________________
  Scenic/Wildlife viewing
  Hiking/Backpacking
  Horse riding/Stock packing
  Swimming
  Hunting
  Camping
  Day use/Picnicking
  Staying at a Forest Service rental cabin

    (6) What was the primary activity you participated in during your visit to the Flathead River? (check only one)

  Whitewater rafting
  Floating the river
  Photography
  Fishing
  Other_____________________
  Scenic/Wildlife viewing
  Hiking/Backpacking
  Horse riding/Stock packing
  Swimming
  Hunting
  Camping
  Day use/Picnicking
  Staying at a Forest Service rental cabin




    (7) What forms of transportation did your group use to get to the Flathead River? (mark all that apply)
    • Hiking/Backpacking
    • Personal vehicle/car
    • Personal saddle/pack stock
    • Pack stock provided by an outfitter
    • Personal airplane/helicopter to Schafer Meadows
    • Airplane/helicopter to Schafer Meadows provided by an outfitter
    • Bus or any vehicle provided and driven by an outfitter
    • Car or vehicle provided by a commercial shuttle or taxi service
    • Other___________________________________

    (8) Did you float on any section of the Flathead River during this trip?
    • No (Skip to Question 14)
    • Yes (continue to Question 10).


This section asks about float/whitewater trips on the Flathead River (questions 10-14), if you did not float on the river, please skip to question 14.


    (9) Where did you start your float?  ____________________________
 
 Where did your float end?  __________________________________________________________

    (10) What kind of watercraft did your party use?   Please indicate the number of each.
    • Multi-person raft/cataraft
    • Inflatable personal (one-person) raft (ex. Alpacka ©) or cataraft
    • Hard shell kayak
    • Hard sided canoe
    • Inflatable canoe, kayak, duckee
    • Inner tube/river tube
    • Other______________

    (11) Did you have stock support (horses/mules) for any part of, or all of your entire trip?       No       Yes
If Yes, how many head of stock did you use? _______________
If Yes, for which portion of your trip and/or how did you have stock support?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

    (12)   A.  Did you have to wait to launch on the river?       No      Yes
  If yes, about how long was your wait?   
    • 5-10 minutes		
    • 11-20 minutes
    • 21-40 minutes
    • More than 41 minutes

                B.  What do you consider to be an acceptable wait time to launch on this section of the Flathead River?_____________minutes
This section asks questions for all Flathead River corridor/area users who camped overnight during their visit your recent visit to the Flathead River (questions 14 to 19), if you did not camp please skip to question 20.

    (13) A.  How many nights did your group camp by the Flathead River?  __________ 
 If you did not camp, please skip to question 20.

                C.  If you camped, where did you camp? (please list all locations such as specific side-trails, drainages, or recreation sites/facilities).  _________________________________________________________________________________

    (14) A.  Did you have trouble locating a campsite that met the needs of your group?    No       Yes	
B.  Outside of the wilderness, would you prefer more designated camping with facilities?   No     Yes
If yes, where? ______________________________________________________

    (15) A.  On a typical night about how many other groups did you see or hear while you were in your campsite?
   0-2          3-5          6-10     11+

B.  Did you consider this number of parties to be:
    • Too many
    • Too few
    • Just right
(17)  A.  On average, how many people were in these parties that you could see or hear in your campsite?
  0-2          3-5          6-10     11-15     15+

B.  Did you consider this number of people to be:
    • Too many
    • Too few
    • Just right
(18)	Did Forest Service or Park Service length of stay regulations affect your visit?    No       Yes                

If yes, please describe:  _________________________________________________________________

(19)  Did you encounter wildlife within your campsite?    No       Yes

If yes, please describe the encounter:  _____________________________________________________




This section is for all Flathead River corridor/area users and asks questions about how you planned your visit to the Flathead River (questions 20 to 28).

(20) How many days/months in advance did your group plan this trip? _________days, or  _________months
(21) What was the primary reason for visiting the Flathead River when you did? (Mark only one)
 Better river flow conditions for floating	
 Trying to avoid the crowds 	 Available vacation days          	    Hunting season
 Better chance of good weather      Better chance of good fishing    I am a local; as schedule allowed
Couldn’t get a permit on a preferred river	   Other____________________				
                                                        
(22)  Did your group hire a commercial outfitter or guide to support your trip?   No       Yes
If so, what services did they provide you?
 Overnight/multi day full service float	      Full day float         Half day float	     Drop float
 Livery service (shuttle and/or delivery of rental equipment)	 Fishing	
 Other __________________________________________________________
What was the name of the outfitter or guide service? _____________________________________

(23)  What would you have done if you had not been able make this visit to the Flathead River, i.e. the recreation sites were not available, there were too many other users, etc.?
    • I would have visited another river.  If so, please name it here_____________________________
    • I would have recreated elsewhere nearby in Glacier National Park or the Flathead National Forest.
    • I would have recreated somewhere else entirely.  
If so, please describe ________________________________________________________________
    • I would have stayed home.
    • Other_____________________________________________________________________________
 
(24)  A.  In previous years, have you visited this portion/area of the river that you visited on this most recent trip?
  No       Yes  

B.  If yes, have you noticed changes in the area’s conditions, e.g. number of visitors, campsite availability, campsite conditions, etc.?    No       Yes  

C.  If yes, please describe when that was and what the difference is:_______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
(25)  A. Were you aware of the regulations associated with storage of food in a bear-resistant manner (i.e. requirements to hang food, use bear proof boxes/ panniers /coolers, etc)?  
  No       Yes  	
B. Was it difficult to comply with the regulations?    No       Yes  
C.  If yes, please describe:  _________________________________________________________________
(26)  Where did you get your information about the regulations associated with storage of food in a bear-resistant manner?
    • Forest Service trailhead or river access site bulletin board
    • Forest Service website
    • Forest Service office
    • The Flathead River Float Guide
    • Glacier National Park website
    • Glacier National Park visitor center or backcountry permit office

    • Friends and/or family
    • Other hiking/guidebook_____________________
    • Other ___________________________________
    • I did not know the regulations for storage of food in a bear-resistant manner

(27)  Where did you get information about other regulations, camp sites and/or land ownership boundaries?
    • Forest Service trailhead or river access site bulletin board
    • Forest Service website
    • Forest Service office
    • The Flathead River Float Guide
    • Glacier National Park website
    • Glacier National Park visitor center or backcountry permit office

    • Friends and/or family
    • Other hiking/guidebook_____________________
    • Other ___________________________________
    • I did not know the regulations and/or land ownership boundaries  

(28)  Please rate your overall experience on your recent trip to the Flathead River (circle the appropriate number):

Very good
Good
Neutral
Bad
Very bad
5
4
3
2
1
Please explain your rating here:_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This section is only for those who visited the North Fork or Lower Middle Fork (below Bear Creek) of the Flathead River (questions 29-30).  If you did not visit either of these segments of the river please continue to question 32.
(29)  Are you aware that the National Park Service (Glacier National Park) and the National Forest Service (Flathead National Forest) co-manage the Flathead River?    Yes       No 

(30)  If you camped during your visit to the North Fork or Lower Middle Fork of the Flathead River, did you camp within:
    • Glacier National Park 
    • Flathead National Forest
    • Private Lands
    • Other _______________________________________________
(31)  Did you recreate at any other locations in Glacier National Park during your visit to the Flathead River?
  Yes       No
If yes, please describe what you did and where it occurred, e.g. drive Going-to-the Sun Road, visit Polebridge Ranger Station, camp at Many Glacier, hike the Highline Trail, etc?: _____________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

This section is for all users and asks you to rate the impacts that the following conditions had on this visit to the Flathead River corridor/area (items 32-34).  

(32)  On a scale from +3 (added a lot to) to -3 (detracted a lot from), rate how these items affected the quality of your river experience.  If the item does not apply to your trip, rate the item as “0 or N/A”.  For each type of encounter, please also indicate how many groups you saw.
					       Added to   		         Detracted from experience
	
+3
+2
+1
0 or N/A
-1
-2
-3
About how many groups on a typical day did you see?
Encounters with float groups








Encounters with stock/horse groups 








Encounters with backpacker groups 








Encounters with fishing groups/individuals 








Encounters with any outfitted/commercial groups








Encounters with other groups at swimming holes, lunch/picnic spots, other day use sites, or special river locations








Contact with river rangers, wilderness rangers, or park rangers









Please feel free to comment on any specific experiences (good or bad) you had in regards to encounters with other parties.  We are particularly interested in encounters that may have enhanced or detracted from the Wild and Scenic river experience.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________
(33)  On a scale from +3 (added a lot to) to -3 (detracted a lot from), rate how these items affected the quality of your river experience.  If you did not camp near one of these groups rate, the items as “0 or N/A”.  For each type of encounter, please also indicate how many groups you saw or heard.  If you did not overnight camp, please skip to question 34.

                                                                          	Added to   		         Detracted from experience
	
+3
+2
+1
0 or N/A
-1
-2
-3
About how many groups on a typical camping night did you see and/or hear?
Camping within sight or sound of float groups








Camping within sight or sound of stock/horse groups








Camping within sight or sound of backpacker groups








Camping within sight or sound of outfitted/commercial groups








Camping within sight or sound of fishing groups/individuals








Camping within sight or sound of vehicle supported groups not otherwise identified above, including at undeveloped and developed recreation sites









Please feel free to comment on any specific experiences you had in regards to the presence of others when camping, on the river, or at the take out/put in.  We are particularly interested in the locations of situations that may have enhanced or detracted from the Wild and Scenic river experience.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

(34)  On a scale from +3 (added a lot to) to -3 (detracted a lot from), rate how these items affected the quality of your river experience.  If the item does not apply to your trip, rate the item as “0 or N/A”.
       	    Added to   			            Detracted from

+3
+2
+1
0 or N/A
-1
-2
-3
Being in or near Glacier National Park







Being in Flathead National Forest







Being on a designated Wild and Scenic River







Being in a designated Wilderness Area (Bob Marshall or Great Bear Wilderness)










This section asks you to rate how the following characteristics of river area recreation influenced the quality of your visit.  

(35)  For each item you noticed on this visit to the Flathead River, please mark (1 to 7) how it affected your experience.  If you did not notice an item, mark “NN” for Not Noticed.

How much of a problem was it?
	Not	 
Noticed    Not at all      Slight 	Moderate   	   Big 

NN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Amount of  improperly disposed of human waste or toilet paper








Amount of litter 








Conditions of campsites that you used, i.e. impacts from previous use, including exposed tree roots, tree scars, barren ground, many side/social trails








Condition of the natural environment








Amount on invasive species and weeds








Weather conditions








Trail conditions








Area/rules and regulations not adequately enforced








Too many rules and regulations








Erosion at popular stopping points








Lack of adequate parking at river access sites








Length of wait time at river access put in/take out








Amount of development at river sites not in the wilderness 








Amount of artificial light glow from cities/towns








Lack of solitude









Please feel free to comment on any specific experiences you had in regards to recreating in the Flathead River corridor/area.  We are particularly interested in experiences that may have enhanced or detracted from the Wild and Scenic river experience.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

This section lists possible management actions that might be taken along the Flathead River corridor/area.  

(36)  Please indicate your support or opposition for how recreational use should be managed on the Flathead River. 
					 

Strongly favor (+2)
Favor
(+1)
Neutral
(0)
Oppose
(-1)
Strongly oppose
(-2)
Provide more information to visitors about appropriate behaviors





Require boaters to pack out  human waste





Require land based river users (stock groups, backpackers, vehicle campers) to pack out human waste





Limit the number of boaters if necessary to protect fisheries





Decrease group size





Begin charging user fees to offset management costs.





Limit the number of boaters if most visitors feel crowded





Add more river rangers and park rangers for enforcement





Increase the number of outfitters and guides





Decrease the number of outfitters and guides





Implement a permit system to limit the number of river launches





Regulate the number of landings per day at Schafer Meadows to limit the number of river launches






Please share with us any comments you have about possible management actions that might be taken along the Flathead River to improve the quality of the Wild and Scenic River experience that you would support or oppose.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Please share with us any other comments that you have on the Flathead Wild & Scenic River management program.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________