Chapter 6: Public Sector Providors

Current Challenges Facing the USDA Forest Service

1. Timber harvest practices and quantities (e.g., below-cost timber sales) 2. Old-growth forests 3. Endangered species protection (e.g., the spotted own in the Pacific northwest) 4. Roads versus trails priorities and expenditures 5. Fire management Practices

Important historical events:

1641 Great Ponds Act guarantees public access to lakes greater than ten acres in Massachusetts Bay Colony. 1885 first successful state forest preserve established in New York 1864 Congress grants lands of Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to state of California 1890 Yosemite National Park created 1898 Pennsylvania establishes forest preserves 1906 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove lands return to federal control and added to Yosemite National Park 1911 Illinois and Indiana establish the first state park agencies 1921 National Park Service Director, Stephen Mather, organizes the first state parks conference, in part to encourage states to help extend NPS efforts they did not have the resources to undertake. 1948 Amendments to the federal Surplus Property Act make it possible to convert federal property to state parks and recreation at 50% of their appraised value 1965 Land and Water conservation Fund created. Its "state side" funding provisions and State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan requirement provide a major boos to state park programs.

Nation Forest System (NFS)

191.8 million acres under USFS jurisdiction are extremely diverse. The lands managed are classified into the following types of areas: National forest, National Grasslands, National Scenic Areas, National Recreation Areas, National Trails,'National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and the National Monuments.

The NPS manages a small land area, but that area is unique, extremely diverse, and irreplaceable. These lands are often referred to as the natural and cultural "crown jewels" of the United States.

388 units of 19 different types encompassing 83 million acres, of which nearly 60% is located in Alaska. There is now A National Park systems units in ever state except Delaware that range in size and character from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to the Blue ridge Parkway, the Washington Monument, Gettysburg, and the Clara Barton National Historic Site. NPS units are created either by an act of Congress or, in the case of national monuments, a Presidential proclamation. To be included in the National Park System an area must be of national significance, but suitable and feasible for inclusion, and not be more appropriately managed by some other organization. However, the president can designate national monuments and Congress can establish park areas that do not fully meet these criteria.

State Outdoor Recreation Providing Agencies 5% of all the land in the United States (some 78 million acres) is controlled by the states.

According to the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, states have any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution or specifically prohibit therein. The authority to operate parks, recreation, and conservation programs is an example of a right that states can, and typically do, exercise. In most states this takes the form of providing state parks, state forest, state natural areas, and state fish and wildlife areas; enacting and enforcing most hunting and fishing regulations and state environmental regulations; and enabling municipal and county park and recreation programs through any required state legislation. These functions are all important for outdoor recreation in the United States.

In terms of outdoor recreation, the NPS Advisory Broad recommended the NPS should:

Advocate for outdoor recreation and open-space conservation and the considerable public benefits they provide. Encourage collaboration among park and recreation systems at every level (federal, regional, state, and local) to help build an outdoor recreation network accessible to all Americans. encourage collaboration among public and private park and recreation systems at all levels to build a national network of parks and open spaces across America.

In terms of acreage alone:

Alaska, California, Texas, and New York have the largest areas set aside as state parks.

Public Sector Providers of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

All outdoor recreation requires a natural or semi-natural setting. whether it is a vast, pristine wilderness or a small, highly modified urban park, a natural setting must be available if there is to be outdoor recreation of any kind.

Protect and Increase Populations of Threatened and Endangered Species

An essential role of the FWS is to manage the threatened and endangered species program established by the Endangered species Act of 1973. This involves determining which species of plants and animals should be listed and establishing recovery plans to attempt to restore healthy populations of these species. An endangered species is one at the "brink of extinction on all or significant part of its range" while a threatened species is "likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future." There are a total of 987 species listed as endangered in the United States--388 animals and 599 plants--and a total of 276 listed as threatened--129 animals and 147 plants. All told there are a total of 1,263 threatened or endangered species--517 animals and 746 plants--that the FWS is working to protect and restore. Since 1985 over a dozen species have recovered sufficiently to be "delisted" by the FWS.

Setting Prodiver

Any organization that makes a natural setting available for recreation.

The Natural Resource Agenda (1998)

As a national strategy for planning and managing USFS resources, this agenda focused attention on watershed restoration and maintenance, sustainable forest ecosystem management, forest roads, and recreation.

NPS was reorganized in 1995 and 1996.

At that time its ten regions were consolidated into seven to improve efficiency. The seven NPS regions report directly to the Director of the NPS, who in turn reports to the Secretary of the Interior.

National Seashores

Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coastal areas. Some are developed, some primitive and hunting is sometimes allowed ( Cape Hatteras, Padre Island, and Point Reyes National Seashores)

BOR is part of the Department of Interior and operates exclusively in 17 western states.

BOR is a water management agency, best known for its dams, reservoirs, power plants, and canals. Originally established as the Reclamation Service through the Reclamation Act of 1902, it was named for its initial purpose of "reclaiming" arid and semi-arid lands by providing water for irrigation. BOR has constructed over 600 Dams and reservoirs. These dams store water for irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and municipal, residential, and industrial uses.

Other agencies that provide Outdoor Recreaiton

Bureau of Indian Affairs Federal Highway Administration National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Labor (job corps) U.S Geological Survey Department of Defense

USDF Key Historical Events

Congress establishes the Division of Forestry in 1886 Forest Reserve Act of 1891 authorizes the President to establish Forest Reserves. Organic Act of 1897 provides additional protections for Forest Reserves, and authorizes and funds development for minerals, water, and timber. Transfer Act of 1905 transfers responsibility for the Forest Reserves to the Bureau of Forestry, which are soon renamed to become the National forest and the USDA Forest Service, respectively, with Gifford Pinchot as its first Chief Forester. The Transfer Act also moves Forest Reserves from the Department of Interior to the Department of Agriculture. Operation Outdoors begins in 1957 as a five-year USFS effort to improve recreation facilities available in the National Forest System. Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 further clarifies the uses of national forest lands. This is the first congressional mandate that the Forest Service should provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) mandates long-range forest assessments be developed and updated periodically. National forest Management Act of 1976 requires the Forest Service to develop, and periodically revise, functionally integrated resources management plans for each national forest and national grassland.

Municipal Outdoor Recreation Providing Agencies

County and municipal agencies are essential in that they are the opportunities closest to most people's homes and workplaces. Local government also has the most immediate and direct effects on how growth and development are planned for and managed, which in turn have profound influences on the availability of outdoor recreation opportunities. The benefits of city park systems are receiving increased attention and include community revitalization, community engagement, economic development, improved physical and mental health, reduced crime, and an overall increase in quality of life.

Federal Recreation Providing Agencies

Each agency was created for a specific and distinct purpose and each manages the lands under its jurisdiction accordingly. None of the federal land and water managing agencies in the United States is identified as an "outdoor recreation agency".

The National Park System Advisory Board recommended, the NPS do the following:

Embrace its mission as educator and become a more significant part of America's educational system by providing formal and informal programs for students and learners of all ages inside and outside park boundaries. Encourage the study of America's past by developing programs based on current scholarship, linking specific places to the narrative of history, and encouraging a public exploration and discussion of the American experience. Adopt the conservation of biodiversity as a core principle in caring out its preservation mandate and participate in efforts to protect marine as well as terrestrial resources. Advance the principles of sustainability, while first practicing what is preached. Actively acknowledge the connections between native cultures and park, and assure that no relevant chapter in the American heritage experience remains unopened. Improve the service's institutional capacity by developing new organizational talents and abilities and a workforce that reflects America's diversity.

FWS history

FWS came into being as a result of public concerns over threats to animal and fish populations caused by overhunting, overfishing, habitat destruction, market hunting and pollution. Bureau of Fisheries 1887 Bureau of Biological Survey 1885 Boon and Crockett Club established by Teddy Roosevelt 1888 Lacey Act of 1900 creates the first federal wildlife regulations in the United States and makes it illegal to transport illegally killed game across state lines. President Roosevelt establishes first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island off the coast of Florida 1903 Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 requires waterfowl hunters to purchase "duck stamps," the proceeds from which help fund migratory bird conservation efforts. Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 establishes excise taxes on guns and ammunition to help fund wildlife conservation efforts. Bureau of Fisheries and Bureau of Biological Survey combined to form the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service 1940 Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 establishes excise tax on fishing equipment to help fund fish conservation efforts. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 requires "equal consideration" to fish and wildlife needs on water resource development projects. Endangered Species Act of 1973 established endangered and threatened species program and prohibits possession, sale, and transport of these species or their parts.

Managed federal Wildlife refuges and Fish Hatcheries

FWS manages the National Refuge System, comprised of 538 Refuges, 37 Wetland Management Districts, and 50 Coordination Areas. More than half of the total acreage of this system is in Alaska. The estuaries, wetlands, big game habitats, and other areas protected in this system are essential for habitat conservation for many species, including those listed as threatened or endangered. The FWS also operates 89 national fish hatcheries. Where compatible with the fish and wildlife purposes of these refuges, wildlife-oriented outdoor recreation is an important use of the National Refuge System. About a quarter of FWS lands are not open for recreational use.

BLM History

Formation of the General Land office in 1812 Establishment of the U.S. Grazing Service to manage the public rangelands through the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 Creation of the BLM in 1946 with the merger of the General Land Office and the U.S. Grazing Service. This is quite late compared to the other major land managing agencies in the United States. Office sanction of a multiple-use mission for the BLM provided by the Classification and Multiple Use Act of 1964 Unified legislative mandate for the BLM provided by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

BOR is organized into five geographic regions

Great Plains, Lower Colorado, Mid Pacific, Pacific Northwest, and Upper Colorado--which report to the agency's office in Washington, DC. Like the CoE, BOR relies heavily on partnerships with other agencies and other cooperators for the management of its outdoor recreation facilities and resources. BOR areas currently have about 350 campgrounds and 308 recreational sites, and the agency has seen steady increase in level of recreation use.

U.S. Army of Engineers (USACE) is part of the Department of Defence.

Its original focus was entirely military and can be traced to George Washington's chief engineers's work on the construction of the fortifications at Bunker Hill during the American Revolution. The mission and scope of this unique agency has evolved substantially to include exploring, surveying, mapping, dredging, and providing for river navigation, as well as construction, maintaining, and in some cases operation canals, forts, jetties, piers, locks, levees, lighthouses, bridges, buildings, monuments, roads, dams, and recreation facilities.

NPS operates numerous programs which include:

Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program, Federal lands to Parks Program, Wild and Scenic rivers Partnership Program, Urban park and Recreation Recovery Program, Hydropower Recreation Assistance Program, American Battlefield Protection Program, Cultural Resources, Historic Landscape Initiative, National Historic Landmarks Assistance Initiative and the National Heritage Areas Program, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Wild and Scenic rivers Act Coordination, Nationwide Rivers Inventory, Rivers Conservation Information/Outreach, Federal Lands-to-Parks Program, Long-Distance Trails Program Recreation Information/Coordination.

BLM

Manages the largest amount of land of any federal agency in the United States. Nearly all BLM managed land is located in 12 western states and much of it is arid or semiarid. Because of the way that public domain lands were disposed, reserved, and transferred, however, BLM lands are often scattered and disconnected parcels, sometimes making effective management and even access challenging.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Mission: It is the mission of the BLM to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Mission: The Tennessee Valley Authority achieves excellence in pubic service for the good of the people of the Tennessee Valley by supporting sustainable economic development, supplying affordable, reliable power, and managing a thriving river system. The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 created the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to provide flood control, navigation, and electric power for the Tennessee Valley region. The TVA was an innovative part of President Roosevelt's New Deal for stimulating the nations's economy during the Great Depression in that it was designed to be "a corporation clothed with the power of government but possessed of the flexibility and initiative of a private enterprise". The TVA is a federal government corporation or quasi-public agency. It is also one of the nation's largest public power companies. The TVA build and operates a system of 49 dams in 41,000 square mile Tennessee River watershed for flood control, navigation hydroelectric power generation, recreational opportunities, and regional economic development. It also owns and operates coal-fired and nuclear power plants. TVA plays a critical regional role in providing outdoor recreation opportunities like water skiing, boating, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, hiking, natural photography, picnicking, bird watching and camping.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is preservation-orientated--protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats are the agency's highest priorities. It is also a conservation-oriented agency by virtue of its orientation toward the wise and sustainable use of fish and wildlife resources over the long term.

Mission: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American People.

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

Mission: The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Mission: The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation including: planning, designing, building and operation water resources and other civil works projects...

National Park Service (NPS)

Mission: The national Park Service Preserves unimpaired the national and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits fo national and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

USDA Forest Service

Mission: to ensure, for present and future generations, the long-term health, diversity, and productivity of the land. The phrase "caring for the Land and Serving People" captures the essence of this mission. The USDA Forest (USFS) service is a multiple-use agency which is conservation-orientated. USFS manages the lands under its jurisdictions for the following primary uses: timber, range (grazing), water, fish and wildlife, and recreation. It operates to ensure sustainable ecosystems, to provide multiple benefits for people within the capability of those ecosystems, and to ensure organizational effectiveness. The USFS is headed by its "Chief," its traditional shorthand for its "chief Forester." The Chief reports to the Department of Agriculture's under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment who, in turn, reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture on the President's Cabinet. The Department of Agriculture also oversees the nation's crop and domestic livestock programs, cooperative extensions service, food stamps, and much more, making the USFS context one of wise and sustainable use of resources and the production of important products for people.

State parks are extremely diverse and range from small historic sites to vast primitive areas.

National Association of State park directors classifies the types of areas administered by state park agencies : 1. State Parks 2. State Recreation Areas 3. State Natural Areas 4. State Historic Areas 5. State Environmental Education Sites 6. State Scientific Areas 7. State Forest 8. State Fish and Wildlife Areas

NPS operates various "national program centers"

National Center for Recreation and Conservation Natural Resource Center Interpretive Design Center cultural Resource Center partnership Service Center

USFS classifies its resources and programs into three primary areas:

National Forest System, Research and Development, and State and Private Forestry.

NPS unit is classified as one of the following types:

National Parks, National Monuments, National Preserves, National Memorials, National Historic sites, National Historic parks, National Battlefields, National Seashores, National Lakeshores, National Parkways, National Rivers, National Trails, and National Recreation Areas.

National Rivers

National, Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers that fall under this category of protected segments of nationally significant rivers (New River Gorge National River, Missouri National Recreation River, Rio Grande national Wild and Scenic river)

In terms of the number of state parks:

New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Massachusetts have the most extensive systems. Alaska, of course, is an exception.

Three Broad Possibilities when Considering how lands and waters are managed:

PRESERVATION is management directed toward protecting natural and cultural/historic resources indefinitely, with on-site use permitted to the extent that it does not deplete or cause irreversible damage to those protected resources. CONSERVATION is management directed toward the wise and sustainable use of resources over the long term. Many uses may be allowed, but only in ways designed to avoid depletion and irreversible damage and only after long-term benefits are judged to justify the costs to resources and society. EXPLOITATION is management directed toward extracting the maximum economic gains from resources. This approach is often associated with a short-term focus, commercial enterprises, and nonrenewable resources.

Current Challenges Facing the NPS

Preservation versus use dilemma: The organic Act of 1916, which established the NPS, stated the NPS is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Pressure on park resources: Resource violations increased 123% over the five-year period ending in 1998. Poaching, cutting trees, theft and damage of Native American artifacts and Civil war relics, and other resources issues have become serious problems for some units. for example, studies show that park visitors have illegally removed approximately 12 tons of petrified wood from Petrified Forest national Park. Several factors related to increasing pressure on park resources. First, there has been a rapid expansion of the National Park System, but not a corresponding increase in budget appropriations. For many units, an increasingly large portion of the budgets has been directed toward "visitor services" rather than resource protection. Secondly, "undeserving units" according to critics are not the kind of natural or historic "crown jewels" the Park Service was originally intended to manage.These so-called orphan parks are sometimes established by political pork barrel maneuvering rather than formal studies of potential units and subsequent authorizations by Congress. Critics believe less deserving units drain funding from the most important units in the system, thereby contributing to an overall decline in resource protection.

Outdoor Recreation Professionals

Provide outdoor recreation opportunities users can take advantage of to generate their own experiences and other important benefits.

New Perspectives for Managing the National Forest System (1992)

Redirected USFS operations and programs to an ecosystem management approach and moved the agency toward a more equal, locally established balance among the multiple users of the National Forest System.

Regional and County Outdoor Recreation Providing Agencies

Regional and county agencies and lands are critically important in providing outdoor recreation opportunities, because along with municipal agencies they tend to provide the areas and opportunities most accessible to where people live and work.

Major federal outdoor recreation opportunity providing agencies and their parent departments

See table 6.1 and 6.2

Study Federal Water Development Projects

The FWS plays an important role in assuring the water development projects do not adversely affect fish and wildlife populations. They accomplish this through involvement in water resources development project planning, permitting and licensing for projects constructed by federal agencies or permitted under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers's Regulatory Program. This FWS role extends beyond federal lands to include involvement in the licensing process for nonfederal hydropower projects. By studying the effects of proposed projects on fish and wildlife and attempting to mitigate any negative effects, the FWS assures new water resources projects enhance fish and wildlife populations whenever possible.

Managed the Nation's Migratory Bird Program

The FWS takes the national leadership role for the United States in partnering with the many nations, states, and provinces, and other organizations that affect the flight paths of migratory landbird, shorebird, and waterbird species. The FWS is authorized by more than 25 conventions, treaties, and laws to ensure the survival of more than 800 species of migratory birds and their habitats. They accomplish this through population monitoring, assessment, and management; habitat conservation; permits and regulations(hunting regulations, "duck stamp"program); and consultation, cooperation, and communication.

USFS initiatives include the following:The Recreation Agenda (2000) , The Natural Resource Agenda (1998), New Perspectives for Managing the National Forest System (1992), and The Year of the Sweet Smelling Toilet (1990)

The Recreation Agenda (2000) Established Guidelines to help meet the needs and expectations of forest recreation users while protecting the health and integrity of the land. 1. Improving the settings for outdoor recreation 2. improving visitor satisfaction with facilities and programs 3. improving educational opportunities for the public about conservation, land stewardship, and responsible recreation 4. strengthening relationships with private entities and volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations 5. establishing professionally managed partnerships and intergovernmental cooperative efforts.

Reasearch and Development (R&D)

The USDA forest Service operates eight Research Stations around the country, representing the largest forest research program in the world. Research on outdoor recreation and outdoor recreation management are important areas of research carried out by scientists at these research stations and associated universities.

Associated Providers

The many partners that assist in providing outdoor recreation opportunities or who influence the amount, type, and quality of related goods and services. These partners manufacture, sell, or otherwise produce or provide the equipment, facilities, services, programming, expertise, information, etc., needed for outdoor recreation experiences to occur. Associated providers are frequently private or nonprofit sector organizations, whereas the providers of outdoor recreation settings and the facilities located there are most often public sector land managing agencies.

State and Private Forestry (S&PF)

This function encourages the conservation and wise management of forest on private lands, state lands, and in urban areas. An important aspect of Forest Service operations is the use of nationwide initiatives to direct this large and decentralized organization. These periodic initiatives typically come from the Washington Office and serve to focus attention on important, timely issues.

The Year of the Sweet Smelling Toilet (1990)

This was a systemwide effort to respond to customer concerns about pit toilet orders and sanitation. It resulted in a far better pit toilet design now being used systemwide.

7 MajorFederal Land Management Agencies

USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Tennessee Valley Authority

National Memorials

Units that commemorate a significant historic person or episode

National Historic Sites

Usually single historical features directly associated with its subject (e.g. Fords's Theater, Fredrick Douglass, Golden Spike, and Fredrick law Olmsted National Historic Sites.)

National Park Service history

Yellowstone becomes the first national park in the world in 1872 The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to establish national monuments. The Organic Act of 1916 creates the National Park Service with Stephen Mather as its first Director. Mission 66 begun in 1956, sets out to refurbish NPS areas in preparation for the agency's 50th anniversary General Authorities Act of 1970 clarifies the authorities needed to include all the diverse areas administered by the NPS into one National Park system. The size of the Nation Park System doubles in size with passage of the Alaska national Interest Lands Conservation Act on 1980

TREAD Lightly participant

a minimum impact education program for motorized recreation, carried out in partnership with other agencies and groups.

National Monuments

a single nationally significant resource. Typically much smaller and less diverse than national parks, National Monuments can be set aside by Presidential proclamation form lands owned or controlled by the government and may be landmarks, structures, or other objects of natural, historic or scientific interest.

National Trails

are National Scenic and National Historic Trails authorized under the National Trails System Act of 1968.(Appalachian and Pacific crest National Scenic trails: Santa Fe, and Lewis and Clark national Historic Trails)

National Recreation Areas

are areas closed to major population areas and often centered on large reservoirs, significant historic and national resources. National Recreation Areas are located where they can provide outdoor recreation for large number of people (Gateway, Golden Gate, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Areas)

National Preserves

areas with characteristics similar to national parks, but where Congress continues to permit hunting, trapping, or oil/gas exploration and extraction.

U.S. Army of Engineers history (CoE)

congress creates a separate CoE in 1979 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1890 and 1899 require that dam sites and plans be approved by the CoE before construction. Flood Control Act 1936 puts the CoE firmly into the reservoir construction business. The Act also requires that a potential project' economic benefits must exceed its costs and specifies other conditions that must be met before the Corps can begin certain projects. Flood Control act of 1944 establishes a multipurpose approach for the CoE including authority to provide recreation facilities. Federal water Projects Recreation Act of 1965 mandates that the CoE and Bureau of Reclamation "give full consideration to recreation and fish and wildlife as purposes in federal water resources projects."

National Landscape Conservation System

designed to help protect remarkable and rugged landscapes located on BLM lands, such as National Monuments, congressionally designated National Conservation Areas, and other areas with important scientific ecological characteristics.

National Historic parks

historic parks the extend beyond single properties or buildings ( Minute Man, Nez Perce, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historic parks)

National Backcountry Byways Program

in partnership with Popular Mechanics magazine and others

National Battlefields

include National Battlefield sites, National Battlefield Parks, and National Military Parks. All preserve and commemorate important military actions ( Antietam National Battlefield, Richmond National Battlefield Park, and Gettysburg National Military Park)

Outdoor recreation participation on BLM-managed lands:

increased dramatically in recent years, and agency responded by increasing its emphasis on providing a wide range of recreation opportunities. Hinting, fishing, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle driving, camping, hiking, boating, recreation vehicle use, hang gliding, birding, and visiting natural and cultural heritage. BLM has become a leader in providing opportunities for mountain biking.the agency classifies some of its lands as either "special recreation management areas" or "extensive recreation management areas"

40% of all the land in the United States

is controlled by the public sector. About a third of the total land in the United States is managed by various federal agencies alone.

National Park Service primary purpose

is to preservation of the nation's most special places. They operate under a "single-use" or "limited-use" concept. As enacted by the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, areas administered by the NPS are established: to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.

National Parks

large natural places with a wide variety of resources. Hinting, mining and consumptive activities are not normally allowed

National Lakeshores

much like National Seashores, but located on the Great lakes (Apostle Island and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshores)

The Department of Agriculture

primary management focus of conservation of natural resources while providing for the wise and sustainable use of those resources (e.g., crops, timber, minerals, domestic livestock, water) for the public good.

Department of Interior

primary management focus of preservation. For example, the national Park Service is charged with the long-term protection of resources and special places while providing for uses compatible with that protection.

BLM manages lands under a multiple-use philosophy, and manages its lands for the following multiple uses:

range, fish and wildlife, watershed, timber, recreation, wilderness, soil conservation, minerals, cultural resources (Native American sites, mining sites; cabin, railroad, and pony express sites, other historic resources)

National Parkways

slow-speed scenic touring roads with parkland paralleling the roadway. National Parkways often connect cultural sites (Blue Ridge parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway)

Other important NPS challenges and opportunities include:

the role of private enterprise in the parks and concessions reform repair and maintenance backlogs park user fees and entrance fee reform the transfer of"surplus" military lands into the National Parks System Science and research needs maintaining biodiversity inadequate ranger par, housing, and training impacts from adjacent development and pollution sources buffers for park boundary areas.

CoE is organized into eight geographic Divisions based on watershed boundaries.

there are 41 Districts that report to the Divisions, which in turn report to agency headquarters in Washington, DC. The CoE is responsible for over 500 water resources projects, most of which are located in eastern and midwestern states. These projects have varying combinations of the following purposes: flood control, hydroelectric power generation, providing for navigation, irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife. The CoE has seen tremendous growth in demand for recreation and is one of the nation's largest providers of outdoor recreation opportunities. The agency operates more than 2,500 recreation areas(camping areas, beaches, boat ramps, marinas) at 463 projects (mostly lakes). They also lease an additional 1,800 sites (over 40% of the total sites at CoE projects) to state or local park and recreation agencies or other partners. CoE sites receive about 360 million visits a year and they estimate 25 million Americans visit a Corps project at least once a year. The Corps is an active partner in the National Water Safety Program.

BLM headquarters in Washington, DC, where the Director is located.

there are two administrative levels below the Director. 12 state offices, each headed by a State Director, with field offices reporting to the appropriate State Directors.

FWS organized into seven geographic regions

with over 700 field offices, plus a headquarters in Washington, DC.