Abstract:
Conflict and competition between outdoor recreational activities is increasing in intensity. Thus, management agencies and persons responsible for regulation of outdoor recreation areas have become increasingly concerned and are seeking appropriate means for amelioration of the intensifying problem.
This research was designed to seek better understanding of conflicts and incompatabilities as perceived by recreationists. The research utilized a questionnaire to develop a body of original data on participants' perception of compatibility or non-compatibility of outdoor
recreational activities and their attitudes toward degree and kinds of existing and needed resource development. As the case study area for this investigation, the sand dunes coastal environment of Central Oregon was selected. Topics in the questionnaire covered perception of recreational development, attitudes toward recreational land and facility ownership, perception of pollution conditions and perception of and attitudes toward recreational activities in terms of conflict or harmony with each other and with the natural environment. Analysis of the 428 questionnaires completed revealed some surprising responses. Perhaps the single most important finding from the user survey was that the majority of the respondents viewed the coastal zone as underdeveloped. Additional development was desired, and the kinds preferred reflected the type of accommodation and recreational facilities that respondents were already using. Tent and
trailer parks, picnic grounds and low-cost motels were the preferred kinds of developments based on responses to the questionnaire. The list of recreational activities reported as being enjoyed in this coastal zone was long and varied; however, the greatest number of preferred activities were environmentally-oriented and definitely
related to the marine and sand dune environments. Motorbiking in particular, dune buggying, tavern or lounge visiting and nightclubbing, hunting and waterskiing were often mentioned as bothersome, annoying
activities. Most respondents implied acceptance of regulation of user activities and zoning for land use. It was the consensus among respondents that motor vehicles should be restricted to prescribed areas of the sand dunes and beach. Different accommodational uses of campgrounds was not generally desired as long as vegetation buffers were used to separate sites. When perception of air, water or noise pollution was questioned and a combined pollution index developed, respondents indicated pollution to be only slight and lumbering and associated industries were reported as the major causes. Human factors, pollution and the weather were the most frequently mentioned unappealing features of this coastal zone. Throughout the littoral the numbers of people at recreation sites were reported as just about right.
Increased recreational use and development appears to be inevitable and in some cases perhaps even desirable within this coastal zone. Consequently, viable management techniques need to be developed so as to minimize activity conflicts and to maintain natural environment harmony in the area.
