An Evaluation Framework to Inform National Park Service Coastal Infrastructure Investment Decisions (Restricted-File Interagency Report)
Eaton MJ, Jenni KE, Lawson A, Yurek S. 2024. An Evaluation Framework to Inform National Park Service Coastal Infrastructure Investment Decisions (Restricted-File Interagency Report). United States Geological Survey. Reston, CA
Between June 2022 and June 2023, a small team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) decision scientists worked with a team of superintendents, facilities managers, program leads, and subject-matter experts from multiple directorates of the National Park Service (NPS) to develop and test a method for evaluating and comparing investment concepts for capital investments in coastal parks. The vision for this effort was to improve facility investment decision-making processes to further incorporate planning for climate change adaptation in coastal park infrastructure and develop a transparent and analytical process to consistently guide investment decisions across coastal parks. The initial evaluation approach described here was developed as a proof of concept to be tested through park-specific case studies. This report is provided to the NPS as a Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR) to facilitate the expressed goal of the NPS to update and potentially implement this framework within the agency.