Establishing backcountry use quotas: an example from Mineral King, California

Environmental Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Increasing levels of visitor use and consequent resource damage have necessitated that backcountry use restrictions be established in the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park, California. In this paper we review the steps taken in developing a trailhead quota system. The availability of acceptable campsites, based on a detailed inventory of site distribution and impact, was used to quantitatively derive use capacities for each camp area. Wilderness permit data on visitor dispersal patterns from the major trailheads, including length of stay at each camp area, were then used to translate the area capacities into daily trailhead quotas that would assure that these capacities were not surpassed. The general approach is applicable to any backcountry area, although large complex areas may require the use of available computer simulation models.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Establishing backcountry use quotas: an example from Mineral King, California
Series title Environmental Management
DOI 10.1007/BF01867347
Volume 5
Issue 4
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher Springer-Verlag
Publisher location New York
Description 6 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Environmental Management
First page 335
Last page 340
Country United States
State California
City Mineral King
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