Sanitation in wilderness: Balancing minimum tool policies and wilderness values

Abstract

Officials with the four wilderness managing agencies are faced with balancing wilderness preservation values and the minimum tool policies of their respective agencies. One example is the management of sanitation, particularly human waste and the often intrusive infrastructure that accompanies its treatment and disposal. Because the treatment and disposal of human waste is a potentially serious public health hazard if mismanaged, it sometimes requires an elaborate infrastructure, including buildings and use of helicopters or pack stock. A paradox exists between public health concerns and the use of a minimum tool allowed by the agency to deal with human waste treatment and disposal. What is needed is a framework for balancing these interests to make explicit various options available to scientists and managers. This paper provides a matrix and related flow chart for considering various sanitation techniques while incorporating minimum tool options and concerns about related impacts.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Lachapelle, Paul R. 2000. Sanitation in wilderness: Balancing minimum tool policies and wilderness values. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 141-147