Community Planning

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Date: December, 2008
Call Number: N/A
Researchers: John E. Keith, Steven W. Burr, Jody Gale, Paul M. Jakus, Richard S. Krannich, Douglas Reiter, and David G. Tarboton

Summary: The Utah Socioeconomic Baseline Study was funded by the Public Lands Policy Coordination Office (PLPCO) of the Governor’s Office. The study was an outgrowth of a request by the Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG) to Utah State University to provide support for the SCAOG’s response to the socioeconomic impact analyses in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Richfield Field Office-proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP). Although the counties within the SCAOG were designated as cooperators with the BLM in developing the RMP, the counties had no reliable database from which to suggest specific impact areas that the RMP should address or provide critical review of the proposed RMP. An earlier study by Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti-La Sal National Forests (2003) identified many potential socioeconomic linkages between public lands and local communities, but did not contain substantial quantitative measures of those linkages. This study used that study as a base from which to begin identifying critical linkages.

Research was divided into two phases: Phase 1 included a general population survey of Utah residents and “key informant” focus groups with local associations of governments were used to identify the highest priority issues related to socioeconomics and public land management; Phase 2 included specific studies on the five highest priority issues that lacked sound databases, in the opinion of the researchers, the PLPCO, and local officials, represented by the Utah Association of Counties Natural Resources Subcommittee. This report summarizes the research and results in both phases.
 
Date: May, 2007
Call Number: IORT-PR-2007-1
Researcher(s): Steven W. Burr, Adam H. Neidig, and Jascha Zeitlin
Summary: This exploratory study was conducted in order to provide a better understanding of rural leaders’ perceptions of the tourism industry in San Juan County, Utah. The qualitative analysis of interviews with community leaders was used to identify differences and similarities in participants’ responses. Results from this study are intended to help bridge what researchers perceived to be a gap in communication and mutual understanding among public officials, business owners, and other stakeholders with a connection to county tourism. In addition, this report makes recommendations for the development of San Juan County’s tourism industry based on the collective input of study participants.
 
Long-Range Transportation Planning in Utah
Date: September 29, 2003
Call Number: N/A
Researcher(s): D. Blahna, J. Endter-Wada, S. Burr, M. Butkus, D. Gibbons, C. Klien, J. Kurtzman, and D. Reiter
Summary: This report presents findings of a two-phase research project conducted by Utah State University (USU) for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). The research is a joint effort of the Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and the Natural Resource and Environmental Policy Program in the Department of Environment and Society. The purpose of the project is to provide social science data useful in the development of UDOT’s statewide 2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan and to provide baseline data for tracking trends over time. Utah State University, College of Natural Resources, Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Natural Resource and Environmental Policy Program, Logan, UT.
Report:
 
Date: Fall, 2002
Call Number: IORT-PR-2002-1
Researcher(s): Chris Haramoto, Steven W. Burr, and Doug Reiter
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assist the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG) in future planning and management considerations for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Cache and Box Elder Counties. The study focused on homeowners on the benches of Ogden, Utah.  The specific objectives of this study were to: 1) determine if residents who live closer to the trail were impacted more than other residents who live farther away; 2) identify the benefits important to both residents and trail users; 3) identify problems associated with the proximity and location of the trail in relation to residents’ property; and 4) acquire information that would aid trail committees in planning and management.
 
The Bonneville Shoreline concept envisions a continuous trail from Utah County to Cache County.  Individual counties are responsible for proposals and the designation of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (Bonneville Shoreline Trail Coalition, n.d.).  Utah State University researchers and BRAG considered it beneficial to present Cache and Box Elder County residents with a study conducted in a similar region in order to assess the potential benefits and impacts associated with officially designated trails.
 
Utah's Great Outdoors Open Space Project
Date: June 2000
Call Number: IORT-PR-2000-1
Researcher(s): Dale J. Blahna, Steven W. Burr, Michael F. Butkus, and Judith A. Kurtzman
Summary: The goal of Utah's Great Outdoors Open Space Project was to develop strategies and actions for addressing open space needs in each Planning District in Utah, lands identified as critical for providing amenity and ecological services. Results of the Three Phase Project are based on the opinions of key informants with experience and/or interest in open space issues and/or projects. Results are useful to complement other open space and critical land initiatives.
 

Use, Attitudes, and Beliefs about the Great Salt Lake among Davis County
Date: November 1999
Call Number: IORT-PR-1999-2
Researcher(s): Mark Brunson, Brian Nicholson
Summary: This report describes results of a survey to assess county residents’ attitudes and awareness about the Great Salt Lake and its recreation/tourism potential. It measured Davis County citizens’ beliefs about the lake as a natural setting as well as a recreation/tourism destination. The survey took place in conjunction with an ongoing study of use, attitudes, and knowledge about wetlands in northern Utah, part of a project to develop a wetlands education master plan for the Great Salt Lake region under the auspices of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission and the state Division of Wildlife Resources.