National Survey on Recreation and the Environment - Completed Surveys

Values, Opinions, Beliefs, and Attitudes

National Survey on Recreation and the Environment

NATURAL RESOURCE USE: VALUES/OPINIONS

Script:

“Now I will read you 5 more statements. Please rate each statement from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning strongly disagree and 5 meaning strongly agree.”

<5 items are randomly selected for each respondent>

QVAL1 People should be more concerned about how our public lands are used.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL2 Natural resources must be preserved even if people must do without some products.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL3 Consumers should be interested in the environmental consequences of the products they purchase.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL4 I would be willing to sign a petition for an environmental cause.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL5 The whole pollution issue has never upset me too much since I feel it is somewhat overrated.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL6 I have often thought that if we could just get by with a little less there would be more left for future generations.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL7 Manufacturers should be encouraged to use recycled materials in their manufacturing and processing operations.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL8 Future generations should be as important as the current one in the decisions about public lands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL9 I would be willing to pay five dollars more each time I use public lands for recreational purposes, for example, hiking, camping, and hunting.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL10 People should urge their friends to limit their use of products made from scarce resources.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL11 I am glad there are national forests even if I never get to see them.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL12 People can think public lands are valuable even if they do not actually go there themselves.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL13 I am willing to stop buying products from companies that pollute the environment even though it might be inconvenient.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL14 I am willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of slowing down pollution.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL15 Forests have a right to exist for their own sake, regardless of human concerns and uses.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL16 Wildlife, plants, and humans have equal rights to live and grow.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL17 Donating time or money to worthy causes is important to me.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL18 We should actively harvest more trees to meet the needs of a much larger human population.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL19 The most important role for the public lands is providing jobs and income for local people.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL20 The decision to develop resources should be based mostly on economic grounds.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL21 The main reason for maintaining resources today is so we can develop them in the future if we need to.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL22 I think that the public land managers are doing an adequate job of protecting natural resources from being over used.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL23 The primary use of forests should be for products that are useful to humans.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL24 The Federal government should subsidize the development and leasing of public lands to companies.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QVAL25 The government has better places to spend money than devoting resources to a strong conservation program.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NATIONAL FOREST USE: VALUES/OPINIONS

Script:

“Now, I will read you 10 statements that describe different values that could be emphasized in the management of our federal system of National Forests and Grasslands. Please rate each statement from 1 to 5, with 5 meaning extremely important and 1 meaning not important at all. ” (The items are to be randomized for each respondent.)

NAF1 Protect streams and other sources of clean water.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF2 Maintain national forests for future generations to use and enjoy.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF3 Provide access, facilities and services for outdoor recreation.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF4 Provide habitat and protection for abundant wildlife and fish

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF5 Provide quiet, natural places for personal renewal.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF6 Use and manage forest areas in ways that leave them natural in appearance.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF7 Emphasize planting and management of trees for an abundant timber supply.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF8 Provide access to raw materials and products for local industries and communities.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF9 Protect rare, unique, or endangered plant and animal species.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF10 Provide roads, accommodations and services to help local tourism businesses

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF11 Provide permits to ranchers for grazing of livestock such as cattle and sheep.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

NAF12 Provide information and education service about forests, their management, and the natural life in them.

Not at all Extremely

Important 1 2 3 4 5 Important

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

BELIEFS: FOREST SERVICE MANAGEMENT

Script:

“We are interested in your opinions on the role of the Forest Service concerning activities on National Forests and Grasslands. I will read 5 statements about the role of the Forest service for you to rate on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning strongly disagree and 5 meaning strongly agree.”

A role of the Forest Service should be to…

<5 items are randomly selected for each respondent>

QBEL1. Expand access for motorized off-highway vehicles on National Forests and Grasslands (for example, snowmobiling, or 4-wheel driving).

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL2 Develop and maintain continuous trail systems that cross both public and private land for motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles or ATVs.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL3 Develop and maintain continuous trail systems that cross both public and private land for non-motorized recreation such as hiking or cross-country skiing.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL4 Designate some existing recreation trails on National Forests and Grasslands for specific use (for example, creating separate trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, or for mountain biking and horseback riding).

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL5 Develop new paved roads on National Forests and Grasslands for access for cars and recreation vehicles.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL6 Designate more wilderness areas on National Forests and Grasslands that stops access for development and motorized uses.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL7 Conserve and protect National Forests and Grasslands that support water resources, such as streams, lakes, and watershed areas.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL8 Preserve the natural resources of our National Forests and Grasslands through such policies as no timber harvesting or no mining.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL9 Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats on National Forests and Grasslands

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL10 Preserve the ability to have a ‘wilderness’ experience on national Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL11 Preserve Native American and Native Hispanic cultural uses of National Forests and Grasslands such as fire wood gathering, herb/berry/plant gathering, and ceremonial access.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL12 Provide natural resources from National Forests and Grasslands to support communities dependent on grazing, mining, or timber harvesting.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL13 Restricting mining, oil drilling, and other mineral removals on national Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL14 Restrict timber harvesting and grazing on National Forests and Grasslands

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL15 Making it easier to get permits for some established uses of public land such as mining, grazing, logging, and commercial recreation.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL16 Develop a national policy that guides national resource development of all kinds on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, the amount of timber cut or barrels of oil pumped, and the regulation of environmental impacts.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL17 Expand commercial recreation on National Forests and Grasslands (for example, ski areas, guide services, or outfitters).

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL18 Develop volunteer programs to improve National Forests and Grasslands (for example, planting trees, or improving water quality).

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL19 Develop volunteer programs to maintain trails and facilities on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, trail maintenance, or campground maintenance.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL20 Inform the public about recreation concerns on National Forests and Grasslands such as safety, trail etiquette, and respect for wildlife.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL21 Inform the public on the potential environmental impacts of all uses associated with National Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL22 Inform the public on the economic value received by developing our natural resources.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL23 Encourage collaboration between groups in order to share information concerning uses of National Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL24 Use public advisory committees to advise on public land management issues.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL25 Allow for diverse uses of National Forests and Grasslands such as grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL26 Make management decisions about National Forests and Grasslands at the local level rather than at the national level.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL27 Increase the total number of acres in the National Forest and Grassland system.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL28 Introduce a recreation fee to support National Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL29 Increase law enforcement on National Forests and Grasslands.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QBEL30 Trade public lands for private lands, for example, to eliminate private property within public land boundaries, or to acquire unique areas of land.

Strongly Strongly

Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

ATTITUDES: FOREST SERVICE MANAGEMENT

Script:

“We are interested in how you feel the Forest Service is doing at managing National Forests and Grasslands. I will read 5 statements on different topics for you to rate on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning very unfavorable and 5 meaning very favorable.

Rate how you feel the Forest Service is doing at…

<5 items are randomly selected for each respondent>

QATT1 Improve Expanding access for motorized off-highway vehicle use on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, snowmobiling or 4-wheel driving.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT2 Developing and maintaining continuous trail systems that cross both public and private land for motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles or ATVs.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT3 Developing and maintaining continuous trail systems that cross both public and private land for non-motorized recreation such as hiking or cross-country skiing.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT4 Designating some existing recreation trails for specific use (for example, creating separate trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, or for mountain biking and horseback riding.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT5 Developing new paved roads on National Forests and Grasslands for access for cars and recreational vehicles.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT6 Designating more wilderness areas on National Forests and Grasslands that stops access for development and motorized uses.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT7 Conserving and protecting National Forests and Grasslands that support water resources, such as streams, lakes, and watershed areas

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT8 Preserving the natural resources of National Forests and Grasslands through such policies as no timber harvesting or no mining.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT9 Protecting ecosystems and wildlife habitats

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT10 Preserving the ability to have a ‘wilderness’ experience on National Forests and Grasslands

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT11 Preserving Native American and Native Hispanic cultural uses of National Forests and Grasslands such as fire wood gathering, herb/berry/plant gathering, and ceremonial access.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT12 Providing natural resources from National Forests and Grasslands to support communities dependent on grazing, timber harvesting, or mining.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT13 Restricting mining, oil drilling, and other mineral removals on National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT14 Restricting timber harvesting and grazing on National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT15 Making it easier to get permits for some established uses of National Forests and Grasslands such as grazing, logging, mining, and commercial recreation.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT16 Developing a national policy that guides natural resource development of all kinds on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, the amount of timber cut or barrels of oil pumped, and the regulation of environmental impacts.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT17 Expanding commercial recreation on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, ski areas, guide services, or outfitters.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT18 Developing volunteer programs to improve National Forests and Grasslands, for example, planting trees, improving water quality.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT19 Developing volunteer programs to maintain trails and facilities on National Forests and Grasslands, for example, trail maintenance, or campground maintenance.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT20 Informing the public about recreation concerns on National Forests and Grasslands such as safety, trail etiquette, and respect for wildlife.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT21 Informing the public on the potential environmental impacts of all uses associated with National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT22 Informing the public on the economic value received by developing our natural resources.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT23 Encouraging collaboration between groups in order to share information concerning uses of National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT24 Using public advisory committees to advise on National Forests and Grasslands management issues.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT25 Allowing for diverse uses of National Forests and Grasslands such as grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT26 Making management decisions about National Forests and Grasslands at the local level rather than at the national level.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT27 Increasing the total number of acres on the National Forests and Grasslands system.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT28 Introducing a recreation fee to support National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT29 Increasing law enforcement on National Forests and Grasslands.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

QATT30 Trading public lands for private lands, for example, to eliminate private property within public land boundaries, or to acquire unique areas of land.

Very Very

unfavorable 1 2 3 4 5 favorable

8 Don’t know

9 Refused

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