180 



Recreation Use Projections 

 (in Thous. RVD's) 



Reaoalion Visitor Days 



= 



□ Sl<i Areas 

 B Developed 



□ Dispersed 



Dispersed 

 Developed 

 Ski Areas 



2020 



Figure 1 A. The recreational use of the Sequoia National Forest is broken down into three 

 areas: Skiing, Developed Recreation, and Dispersed Recreation. Dispersed Recreation 

 accounts for a large majority of actual and projected recreational use. 



The largest majority of the recreationists practice what is known as 

 dispersed recreation. The majority do not use developed recreation sites, 

 rather they "head out into the woods." The Forest Service encourages 

 dispersed recreation because it diminishes the impact such a large population 

 might have on any one given area. 



Figure 1 A shows the estimated increase in recreational use. In 1992 the 

 actual use numbers already surpassed the projection for the year 2000. The FS 

 estimated a total of 3,522.0Q0 visitor days for the year 2000. Actual numbers for 

 1992 register 3,529,900 visitor days. It should also be noted that a visitor day 

 (RVD) is counted as a full eight hour stay. Total number of visits of any kind 

 (RV's) for 1992 was approximately eight and a-half million, more than world- 

 famous Yosemite National Park. National Park visitors tend to spend just 

 enough time in a park to drive by the scenic vistas, visit the gift shop and head 

 home. In comparison, the National Forest figures the majority of its visitors as 

 RVD's, where the visitor spends at least eight hours in the forest. Translated, 

 that means that more people use the National Forests and stay for longer 

 periods of time than in a National Park. 



The dispersed recreation they practice is possible only if there are ways 

 to disperse these recreationists over a large area. The roads that are 

 constructed and paid for by timber sales are the best tool to encourage 

 dispersal. HR2153 states clearly that its main objective is to restore the 

 Preserve to a natural state. One of the methods put forth is a program of 



