A public utility model for managing public land recreation enterprises.

Abstract

Through review of relevant economic principles and judicial precedent, a case is made that public-land recreation enterprises are analogous to traditionally recognized public utilities. Given the historical concern over the societal value of recreation and associated pricing issues, public-land management policies failing to acknowledge these utility-like characteristics and a subsequent agency regulatory responsibility are shown to be deficient. Existing institutional barriers, however, sometimes limit the options available to agency managers. Eight strategies for performance enhancement are offered.

Citation

Quinn, Tom. 2002. A public utility model for managing public land recreation enterprises. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-543. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 22 p