2022 Socioeconomic Research of Niobrara National Scenic River: Report on 2022 Data Collection (Revised)

Otak Inc.; RRC Associates Inc.; University of Montana

doi:10.36967/2319014

A strong mandate and need for socioeconomic monitoring are expressed in the NPS strategic goals for science, in statements by the NPS leadership, and the report of the Second Century Commission. This mandate resulted in a pilot socioeconomic monitoring study in 2015/2016 at a sample of park units across the U.S.; the current study uses outcomes from the first stage of the pilot program and progresses into a second stage of the pilot process at 24 NPS units across the United States. Niobrara National Scenic River (Niobrara NSR) was selected as one of these units. This report informs core issues of visitor use management and develops a deeper, contemporary understanding of who visits Niobrara NSR and what they do during their visit. It uses a two-phased survey methodology to capture a representative sample of visitor information, characteristics, and behavior: (1) an on-site intercept survey conducted via tablet, and (2) a follow up (mail-back and/or online survey) for full trip details. The results are organized by these two phases and are intended to assist park managers in understanding current utilization and perceptions of park resources, operations and potential issues, as well as to facilitate communication and decision-making processes within the park and between the park and its local partners and stakeholders. The revised version of this report corrects a previous error identified in Figure 9 and includes minor editorial, formatting, and accessibility updates. No substantive changes have been made to the findings or conclusions presented in the original 2022 report.

2022 Socioeconomic Research of Niobrara National Scenic River: Report on 2022 Data Collection (Revised)

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