Sampling Frame 2: mail or on-line quesioinnaire to vested interests

OMB Control Number

(May 2015) OMB Expiration Date

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

SAINT ANTHONY SAND DUNES PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITY

Your responses to this questionnaire will help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) develop a plan for the St. Anthony Sand Dunes on subjects such as existing and proposed management actions, issuance of Special Recreation Permits, conflicts between visitors, and travel management issues. Your participation in this survey is voluntary and all of your answers will remain completely anonymous.

Please carefully read all directions and mark your responses clearly. There are no penalties for not answering any or all of the questions. Feel free to skip any questions you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used beyond the purposes of this study.

You do not have to respond to this or any other Federal-agency sponsored information collection that does not display a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions and completing the survey. You may send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1004-XXXX), 1849 C Street, NW, Room 2134LM, Attention: Bureau Information Collection Clearance Officer (WO-630), Washington, D.C. 20240.

Facilities and Recreational Use Access

The following questions address current facilities and potential management decisions that could improve your experience at the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes. The enclosed map shows the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes and identifies the areas we refer to in the following pages.

1. When you visit Saint Anthony Sand Dunes, how often do you use the access points listed below? Please select one response for each location.

Locations:	I use this access point all of the time	I use this access point most of the time		I use this access point some of the time	I have never used this access point
a. Hook of the Sand (Point A)					
b. Nine Mile Knoll (Point A)					
c. Grassy Ridge/Taylor Well Road (Point B)					
d. Red Road Day Use Area (Point C)					
e. Egin Lakes Access and Campground (Point D)					

2. The following statements address potential upgrades to facilities and recreational access points at the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes. For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each potential upgrade.

Potential Upgrades:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
a. Increase the number of campsites available at the Egin Lakes Access and Campground.						
b. Upgrade current access points off of the Egin-Hammer Road (e.g., Hook of the Sand, Nine Mile Knoll) by developing amenities such as gravel parking lots, permanent restrooms, and garbage collection (Point A).						
Potential Upgrades:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
c. Upgrade current access points off of the Grassy Ridge/Taylor Well Road by developing amenities such as gravel parking lots, permanent restrooms, and garbage collection (Point B).						
d. Expand the current Red Road day use parking by adding group camping site opportunities (Point C).						
e. Designate a non-motorized only area of the sand dunes east of Red Road during the summer months (Area 1).						
f. Designate trails for non-motorized use only between Idaho Dunes RV and Egin Lakes Campground (Area 2).						

3. The following statements ask about the need for signage at or near the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes. For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each statement.

Signage:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
a. Install more warning signs on the dunes that mark hazards or rough terrain.						
b. Install more directional signs on the dunes.						
c. Enhance roadway signs leading to Egin Lakes Access and Campground.						

Special Recreation Permit Questions

The BLM has the authority to issue Special Recreation Permits (SRPs). Currently the BLM does not issue SRPs for the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes, but annually receives numerous requests. SRPs are divided into four types: vending, organized group activity or event use, competitive events, and commercial. Your input will provide guidance to the BLM regarding the types of permits allowed as well as the number and timing of those permits. Below is a description of each permit type.

• Vending: Vending is a type of commercial use defined as a temporary, short-term, nonexclusive, and revocable authorization to sell goods or services on public lands.

• Organized Group Activity or Event Use: Organized group or event permits are intended for group outdoor recreation activities or events that are neither commercial nor competitive. Examples of groups or events that may require a permit include large scout campouts, family reunions, or large organized off-highway vehicle gatherings on public lands.

• Competitive Use: Competitive use means any organized, sanctioned, or structured use, events, or activities on public lands in which two or more contestants compete, and one or both of the following elements apply:

-Participants register, enter, or complete an application for the event.

-A predetermined course or area is designed for the event.

• Commercial Use: Commercial use means the recreational use of the public lands for business or financial gain.

Vending

4. The following statements ask about vending permits. For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each vending use.

Vending Use:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
a. Allow vending areas to be established at more remote access points off of Egin-Hamer Road (e.g., Hook of the Sand, Nine Mile Knoll) (Point A).						
b. Allow vending areas to be established at the remote access point off of Grassy Ridge/ Taylor Well Road (Point B).						
c. Allow vending areas to be established at the Red Road day use parking lot (Point C).						
d. Allow more than one vendor at Egin Lakes Campground and Day Use Area to provide goods and services (e.g., mechanical parts, flags) (Point D).						

Organized Group Activities or Events

5. The following statements ask about organized group activity and event permits.

1. Have you ever participated in an organized group activity or event that was permitted by the BLM?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each statement.

Organized Group Permits:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
b. Issue permits for organized group activities or events.						
c. Issue permits for weekend use.						
d. Issue permits for weekday use.						
e. Issue permits for holiday weekends.						
f. Limit the size of group activities or events.						

6. If you believe that organized group activities should be limited, please select the maximum number of participants that should be allowed to participate:

50	100	150	Other:	Don’t Know
			 (write in): ___	

Competitive Activities or Events

7. The following statements ask about competitive activity or event permits.

1. Have you ever participated in a competitive activity or event that was permitted by the BLM?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each statement.

Competitive Permits:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support		Neutral		Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
b. Issue permits for non-motorized competitive events.								
c. Issue permits for motorized competitive events.								
Competitive Permits:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support		Neutral		Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
d. Issue permits for weekend use.								
e. Issue permits for weekday use.								
f. Issue permits for holiday weekends.								
g. Limit the size of competitive activities or events.								

8. If you believe that competitive activities or events should be limited, please select the maximum number of participants that should be allowed to participate:

50	100	150	Other:	Don’t Know
			 (write in): ___	

Commercial Activities

9. The following statements ask about commercial permits.

1. Have you ever participated in a commercial activity that was permitted by the BLM?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

For each statement, please indicate your level of support by selecting one response for each statement.

Commercial Permits:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose		Strongly Oppose	Don’t Know
b. Issue permits for commercial activities related to motorized guided tours.							
c. Issue permits for commercial activities related to non-motorized guided tours (e.g., horseback riding).							
d. Issue permits for commercial hunting outfitters.							
Commercial Permits:	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Neutral	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose		Don’t Know
e. Commercial activities should be allowed at the sand dunes on weekends.							
f. Commercial activities should be allowed for use on holidays, including holiday weekends.							

10. The following statements ask about your potential interest in participating in commercial activities. Please indicate your level of agreement by selecting one response for each statement.

Commercial Activities:	Strongly Agree	Somewhat Agree	Neutral	Somewhat Disagree		Strongly Disagree	Don’t Know
a. I would be interested in paying for a guided tour of the sand dunes.							
b. I would be interested in participating in demonstration rides sponsored by manufacturers.							
c. I would be interested in paying for a guided hunting trip in the region surrounding the sand dunes.							

11. The following questions address details related to commercial permits. Your responses will help determine management decisions for the number of annual permits issued, the number of trips allowed per permit, and the number of participants allowed on a given trip. Please indicate your choice by selecting one response for each statement.

a. Please select the maximum number of commercial permits that the BLM should issue for the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes on an annual basis:

0	2	4	6	Other:	Don’t Know
				 (write in): _____	

b. Please select the maximum number of commercial trips per day that the BLM should allow to operate at the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes:

0	2	4	6	Other:	Don’t Know
				 (write in): ___	

c. Please select the maximum number of registered participants the BLM should allow per commercial trip:

1-3	4-6	7-9	10-12	Other:	Don’t Know
				 (write in): ___	

Recreation Experience

The following questions relate to your recreational experiences at the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes. Please refer to the enclosed map for reference.

12. Have you experienced conflicts between different recreational groups at the sand dunes? For example, between motorized and non-motorized users, buggies and ATV’s/motorcycles?

Yes.

 No. Please skip to question 13 on the next page.

1. If yes, between which groups do you see conflicts occurring and where do you see them occurring? Please provide a short description in the box provided below.

Groups:

Location:

Description of conflicts:

b. What measures could the BLM take to minimize these conflicts? Please provide a short description in the box provided below.

13. Have you ever felt the sand dunes were too crowded? Check only one response.

         Yes, on most of my visits.

         Yes, on a few of my visits.

        No, I have never felt the sand dunes were too crowded.

14. Do you feel the number of people using the sand dunes needs to be limited? Check only one response.

 Yes, a limit is needed to lower current use.

 Yes, a limit is needed to hold levels at their current use.

 No limit is needed now, but should be considered in the future.

 No set limit is needed.

Sand Dune Visits

The following questions ask details about your visits to the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes.

15. a. How many years ago did you first visit the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes? ______years ago

2. How many times have you visited in the last 12 months? _____times

3. When do you tend to visit the sand dunes? Check ALL that apply.

 During the week, Monday – Thursday

 On weekends, Friday – Sunday

 On holiday weekends

 During the summer

 During the winter

 During the spring/fall

16. How many people, including yourself, were in your group on your last visit to the sand dunes?

17. What sources of information did you and your group use to plan your visit to the sand dunes? Check ALL that apply.

 BLM website

 Family or friends

 Recreation club

 Outfitter/Guide

 Social Media website (non-BLM sources)

 Other website (please list) _________________________________

 Other source ___________________________________________

18. Which information topics would you find most useful in planning your next trip to Saint Anthony Sand Dunes? Check one response for each option.

Information on:	Very Useful	Somewhat Useful	Not Useful	Would not use
Safety				
Specific trail descriptions (e.g., length, difficulty)				
Directions to trailheads				
Maps				
Natural resource values of the area				
Cultural/historic values of the area				
Available facilities				
Recommended items to pack along				
Low-impact use guidelines				
Rules/regulations				
Recreation opportunities				
Weather conditions				
Other: ___________________				

19. How would you prefer to retrieve this information? Check ALL that apply.

 BLM website

 Billboard, sign, or pamphlet available at the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes

 Social media sites (BLM sources)

 Asking staff on site

 Other _________________________________________________

 Other _________________________________________________

20. We are interested in knowing what activities you participated in during your last visit, and how important each activity was to your decision to make this trip. Check one response for each activity.

	This activity was a major reason for my trip to the sand dunes.	I participated in this activity, but it was not a major reason for my trip.	I did not participate in this activity at the sand dunes.
Motorized Vehicle Use (Summer)			
Snowmobiling			
Skiing			
Sledding			
Hiking			
Camping			
Hunting			
Target Shooting			
Fishing			
Mountain Biking			
Geocaching			
Wildlife Viewing/Sight Seeing			
Swimming			
Photography/Painting			
Sandboarding			
Caving			
Picnic/Reunion/Party			
Other _______________			
Other _______________			

Questions about You

Finally, we would like some general information about you. All information will remain anonymous.

21. What is your age? _____years

22. Are you:

 Female

 Male

23. Are you Hispanic or Latino? (A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.)

 Yes

 No

24. Please select the racial category or categories with which you most closely identify. Check as many as apply.

 American Indian or Alaska Native

 Asian

 Black or African-American

 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

 White

25. What state/province do you live in? __________________________________

If Idaho, what county? ___________________________________________

26. What is the highest level of education you have attained?

 Grade School

 High School

 College

 Higher level degree (e.g., Masters, Doctorate)

27. What was your employment status for the majority of 2014?

 Full-time employment

 Part-time employment

 Retired

 Student

 Unemployed

28. Which category best represents your household income?

 Less than $25,000

 $25,000 to $34,999

 $35,000 to $49,999

 $50,000 to $74,999

 $75,000 to $99,999

 $100,000 or more

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

Space is provided below for any additional comments you would like to make.

Please let us know if there are other issues that Saint Anthony Sand Dunes managers need to address or any other comments you would like to make about the area and its management in the space below.

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