Recreational use in the headwaters of the Chattooga River

Abstract

For over 30 years, Sumter National Forest (SNF), principal managing agency for the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, has prohibited whitewater boating on the uppermost 20 miles of the river. In an attempt to gain access, boater advocacy group American Whitewater filed an appeal against the most recent Land and Resource Management Plan. On the basis of this appeal, SNF was directed to conduct a visitor use capacity study in the upper sections of the river and involve all interested parties in the process. To this end, SNF has hosted three meetings during which the study process was outlined, stakeholders identified, and potential Limits of Acceptable Change indicators discussed. The visitor use capacity analysis is currently underway and expected to continue through 2008. This paper reviews historical and current river management documents and, utilizing a secondary data source, examines levels of experience, involvement, and place attachment between two major stakeholders, Trout Unlimited members and whitewater boaters. An overview of the current process to reanalyze recreation use in the headwaters is synthesized, two major stakeholders embroiled in the controversy are examined, and considerations for future research suggested.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Vagias, Wade M.; Powell, Robert B.; Haynie, Lance T. 2007. Recreational use in the headwaters of the Chattooga River. In: Burns, R.; Robinson, K., comps. Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2006 April 9-11; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-14. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 206-213.