Conjoint Analysis:

Survey Explanation

Our project, on the White River National Forest, concerns a proposed draft plan that includes the expansion of ski resorts such as Vail, the elimination of ATVing, and the augmentation of logging grounds. Our survey is going to be used to analyze the effects of the draft plan, if implemented. In the beginning of the survey, we asked certain background questions about the people whom we are surveying. The standard age, sex, and income, we will use as guidelines for certain groupings that we will want to make up. The time spent in participating in outdoor activities is important because we want to know if the person we are surveying will have an impact on the land after the draft plan or not. The certain activities question is important because specific parts of the plan which we are inquiring about involve some of those certain activities. Thus, again, we are looking for the impact of the person being surveyed. Lastly, the question about environment protection is important to decide whether or not the person being surveyed is concerned with the environment as a whole, or just with the effects that the draft plan will have on their ability to participate in their outdoor activity in White River National Forest.

The three areas of the draft plan which we are particularly interested in, the ski area expansion, the logging and protection of forestry, and recreational vehicle use, each have questions specifically designed to evaluate the effects of the draft plan on the interviewee. The first one, on the Vail expansion, has questions related to the amount of ski land, price, and effect on the surrounding animal habitat. These are all important as a person who skis is very interested in the amount of skiable trails and the price of skiing, while a environmental-minded person with care about the lynx habitat. Combined with the information in the introduction to this survey, these questions should aid us in evaluating the effects of the draft plan on the park and its ski resorts.

The logging part of the survey is important due to the amount of wild acreage that is available within the park. The price of park pollution control is especially important because it affect the park service’s budget, which may in turn lead it to put a use price on the activities which occur within the park. The amount of pollution itself will be important to people who are concerned with the environment as well as those who participate in activities which will be affected. The amount of new jobs created will be used to evaluate if the surrounding economic impact and if the interviewee is concerned with finding a new job, or the surrounding job market itself.

Lastly, the part in ATVing will be used the same way as the previous two. The noise pollution question will imply that as ATVing goes down, so will the loud sounds which accompany those machines. This is important mostly to people who are not involved with ATVing, but rather activities such as hunting, where noise is very important. The effects on the wildlife question is similar to those in the two above parts and will directed at those who consider conservation a priority.

Conjoint Analysis Survey for the White River National Forest

Demographic Questions:

Have you ever visited the White River National Forest? If so how often?

Please Rank your time spent participating in an outdoor activity:

Never

Very Little

Average

Considerable

Which of these activities do you participate in? (check all that apply)

ATVing Fishing Scenic Driving

Backpacking Hiking Snow mobiling

Boating Horseback Riding Snow shoeing

Camping Hunting Spelunking

X-Country Skiing Mountain Biking Downhill skiing

Age:

1) 10-20

2) 21-30

3) 31-40

4) 41-45

5) 46-50

50+

Income:

$0-$25,000

$25,001-$50,000

$50,001-$75,000

$75,001-$100,000

$100,001+

Gender:

1) Male

2) Female

Interest in Environmental Protection:

None

Very Little

Average

Above Average

Very Interested

Some of Colorado’s most spectacular scenery is found in the White River National Forest, one of the most popular in the country. Here resides the nation’s largest Elk herd , along with some of the best habitat in the state for lynx, wolverine, goshawk and eagles. The White River National Forest contains about 300,000 acres of potential wilderness and other areas now at risk from logging, oil and gas drilling, ski area expansion, and unchecked motorized recreation. The Forest Service has considered several "alternatives" for managing the forest for the next 15 years the most prominent of which is the Draft Plan.

Ski Area Expansion:

The proposed Vail expansion would cut into the White River National Forest. The 885 acre tract could affect both the native and endangered lynx habitat as well as the elk herd. Such expansion could not only destroy wildlife habitat but contribute to the sprawl and congestion already being experienced by mountain residents.

Please rate on a scale of 1(Very Undesirable) to 10(Very Desirable) each of the following scenarios regarding Vail ski area expansion:

Scenario Amount of New Congestion $ Lift Ticket Lynx Habitat/Elk Herd

Ski Area

1 885 Acres 4 min. lift line $60 Likely Extinction

2 400 Acres 12 min. lift line $45 Survival Questionable

3 0 Acres 19 min. lift line $40 Encourage Expansion

Logging & Protection of Forest:

Conservationists have identified some 300,000 acres of wild lands deserving of wilderness protection. The draft plan recommends less then 16% (47,200) for protection. Under the proposed Draft Plan logging would double from current levels and fail to protect any lodgepole pine or aspen old-growth forests. The draft plan creates numerous management areas for forest carnivores, but then promotes logging not habitat protection within these areas.

Please rate on a scale of 1(Very Undesirable) to 10(Very Desirable) each of the following scenarios regarding Logging & Protection of Forest:

Scenario Wild Acreage Damage/Pollution* Economic Impact Price of Park Pollution Control

1 300,000 Negligible 0 new Jobs $500,000

2 200,000 Increased 200 new Jobs $1,000,000

3 47,200 Considerable 400 new Jobs $3,000,000

*Negligible= Not measured, Increased= Pollution rises by 50% or less, Considerable= Rises by more than 50%

Recreational Vehicle Use:

The use of off-road vehicles is also a hotly debated issue. While many enjoy the use of snowmobiles and ATV’s for recreation and transportation, there are others bothered by the noise pollution and the potential for erosion. The Forest Service has recommended the end of off-road travel and has proposed limits to motorized travel to designated routes.

Please rate on a scale of 1(Very Undesirable) to 10(Very Desirable) each of the following scenarios regarding Recreational Vehicle Use:

Scenario Noise Pollution Wildlife Effects* Cost of Changing Outdoor

Activities**

1 Very High 80 dec. per acre Constant erosion/pollution $0

2 Moderate 40 dec. per acre Less Frequent erosion/pollution $75

3 None None due to vehicle use $200

*Less Frequent Erosion= Erosion decreases by some number as ATV use declines