Recreation management in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex: An application of the limits of acceptable change concept and transactive planning theory

The relatively low frequency in substantive implementation of first generation wilderness management plans has forced managers to reexamine their past planning efforts and begin to devise ways in which the implementation, effectiveness, user involvement and acceptance of plans can be improved.In the Bob Marshall Wilder ness Complex (BMWC), a combination limits of acceptable change (LAC) and Transactive Planning framework was tried in order to achieve improvements in these areas.The study's primary objective was to test for the occurrence of key elements associated with Transactive Planning theory and to determine their overall effectiveness in producing a new manage ment plan for the BMWC.This was accomplished by employing three different methodologies for collecting data -participant obser vation, theory evaluation surveys, and theory evaluation inter views.For analysis purposes, the three and a half year process was divided into five intervals.An indicator analysis approach was used in each interval to test for the level of occurrence of key elements of Transactive Planning (dialogue, mutual learning, and societal guidance or action).The surveying en tailed sampling task force members on various dimensions of the Transactive Planning process.Their responses were compared to a sample of public involvement participants in a wilderness planning effort which had just been completed in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness.This process utilized a more traditional rational-comprehensive planning approach.The results showed the primary elements of Transactive Planning did occur in the BMWC planning effort and that Transactive Planning is a more effective approach than traditional comprehen sive planning in such settings.Criteria and guidelines for applying the LAC management system and Transactive Planning approach are also provided in order to aid managers wishing to use the dual process in other wilderness planning efforts.