The limits of acceptable change (LAC) system for wilderness planning
This paper describes the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) system, a framework for establishing acceptable and appropriate resource and social conditions in recration settings. The LAC has been developed in response to the need of managers for a means of coping with increasing demands on recreational areas in a visible, logical fashion. The LAC also represents a reformulation of the recreational carrying capacity concept, with the primary emphasis now on the conditions desired in the area rather than on how much use an area can tolerate. The LAC is not a new idea. It is, however, the latest step in a continuing effort to improve wildland recreation management through definition of more explicit, measurable objectives. Nine steps are involved in the overall process. Step 1 involves identification of area concerns and issues. In addition to legal guidelines and organizational policy, management of an area needs to reflect area-specific features and values in order that the role of the area at both regional and national levels can be assessed. In step 2, opportunity classes are defined and described. Opportunity classes represent subunits of the area where different conditions are provided thereby increasing the diversity of the area. These differences are measured through indicators, identified in step 3, representing resource and social conditions for which management is striving. Indicators should be capable of quantitative measurement. In step 4, the existing condition fo the resource and social conditions is inventoried. These data are recorded and mapped, and serve as the basis for the definition, in step 5, of standards for each indicator in each opportunity class. Basing the standard on inventory data helps ensure realism and also clarifies the nature and extent of management activity that will be required to achieve standards. Step 6 involves identification of alternative allocations of the area among the various opportunity classes. Because different allocations will require different types of management, step 7 requires an analysis of the various costs and benefits of each alternative, in terms of environmental impacts and impacts on visitors as well as administrative costs. In step 8, the costs and benefits of each alternative are evaluated and a final alternative is selected. This final selection will reflect the responsiveness of the alternative to the issues and concerns identified in step 1 and the management requirements identified in step 7. Step 9 involves implementation of the selected alternative and establishment of a monitoring program. Monitoring is particularly important as it provides feedback on the effectiveness of the management actions employed, alerting managers to the need to consider more rigorous application or the use of other measures. To demostrate how these nine steps can lead to an effective management program, a hypothencal case example is described.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Ogden (EUA)
1985
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| Subjects: | METODOS Y TECNICAS, RECREACION, CAPACIDAD DE CARGA, IMPACTO AMBIENTAL, |
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