National Park Service – River Use Study on Namekagon River NOI

A baseline for river use on the Namekagon River was established in 1999 using the “Recreational Management Information System” (RMIS). Measurements were repeated in 2002. The RMIS is a court-tested model to determine visitor use trends. Anecdotal evidence suggests that visitor use has increased and types of uses have changed on some sections of the Namekagon River since the 1999 and 2002 counts. The NPS proposes to repeat the RMIS measurements in summer 2015.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
The purpose of repeating the river use study using RMIS is to take quantifiable measurements that can be compared to those taken in 1999 and 2002. The 2015 measurements will be compared to those taken in 1999 and 2002 to determine river use trends. The results will be used to determine if management action is necessary to provide the type of visitor experience intended by the NPS and documented in the GMP.

Hypotheses to be tested are:
a. River use as increased markedly along some sections of the Namekagon River.
b. The use of tubes as vessels has become more widespread.
c. There are more conflicts between river users.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT
The recipient will counted and recorded the number of river users at river access points (landings). Counts will be done at landings over a period of several hours between Memorial Day and mid-August and include the number of vessels that put-in, take-out, and float by. The type of vessel will be recorded as canoe, kayak, tube, johnboat, or drift boat and whether private or commercial. If commercial, the business name will be recorded. Visitors’ perceptions of conditions will be measured by short (one page) interviews as they exit the area. Interview questions include 1) activities and length of visit, 2) why they chose the Namekagon River, 3) changes since their last visit, and 4) reactions to the number of other visitors they encountered.

The cooperator shall:
a) provide a principal investigator to develop the field study design and provide program supervision;
b) hire, train, and pay 2 student interns to interview, collect, and input data from May 15 through August 15, 2015;
c) provide for transportation to and from landings for the interns
d) provide computer(s) for use by the interns
e) set-up the computer database; and
f) provide a report presenting the results and comparing them to the 2002 and 1999 results.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT
The NPS shall provide:
a) housing for two research interns in the Trego, Wisconsin area;
b) a workspace, with internet access, for the interns;
c) an opportunity for the interns to participate in NPS seasonal training; and
d) a point of contact for the interns at the Namekagon District Office in Trego, Wisconsin