Issue Overview

The purpose of this section is to provide information and boilerplate language that will help to provide a basic understanding of the issue by factually describing the issue, its scope, and dimensions.

There is a need to provide effective information - interpretive, educational, safety, etc. - to set visitor expectations, provide guidance and direction for the county's primary attractions, and to educate visitors about unique county experiences – culture, history, natural resources or other relevant county attributes. Effective information and interpretation helps visitors act responsibly by promoting compliance with applicable rules and regulations regarding use, personal safety and protection of resources found in the county.

Options & Trade-Offs

Counties may assume a high degree of management for relevant interpretation and information. However, the degree of need regarding this issue should be assessed.

There are a multitude of reasons for effective information and interpretation efforts:

• Attraction of potential visitors to a county
• Educating the visiting public about local attractions, opportunities and experiences
• Promoting safety and responsible behavior among visitors
• Protecting valuable county resources

Consequently, the county should identify the goals it seeks to achieve in each of these areas and identify accompanying strategies to reach the desired outcome. Counties should coordinate efforts and seek guidance from entities and agencies with experience in this arena.

Potential for Conflict

The chief concern will be identifying those areas, opportunities or experiences that require enhanced information or interpretation. Secondly, coordinating interpretation and information efforts with local governments, state and federal agencies, while appropriate, requires a significant amount of time and effort. The following issues should be considered.

•  Agency coordination and cooperation : A number of agencies in each county provide information to visitors in a variety of ways. It is important that these agencies be identified and that they work together to provide for the needs of visitors and to manage and protect resources. Having local, federal and state agencies participate as members of county travel councils can help to coordinate the dispensing of information. This cooperation can help in the development of county and regional information materials of a general type, and will educate all entities about the specific informational and educational efforts of each agency. While many agencies provide visitor/information centers (National and State Parks, Travel Councils, Chambers of Commerce), and most have information desks located at their offices, there are a number of multi-agency visitor centers throughout the state. These cooperative centers can provide a vast amount of information about many agencies and their resources in one location. Examples of these multi-agency visitor centers can be found in Moab , Blanding and Salt Lake City . County plans should foster cooperation with and between all agencies and entities that develop and distribute visitor information in the planning area.

•  Plan for a variety of informational sources and media: Counties should consider providing information to visitors as they plan their trips, while they are in route and at their destinations. Again, cooperation among agencies will help in this effort. Websites, mail-out packets and advertising can help visitors plan their trips. All of these media types should lead to cross-referencing of different agency sites and materials. Brochures, displays and maps at surrounding attractions can supply information to visitors en route or as they arrive. Examples of these locations are state welcome centers, museums and other attractions on major routes to or near particular counties. Retail outlets can also be good sources for the provision and distribution of visitor information. Many communities have host training for retail sales employees to educate them on how to provide information to visitors. County plans should outline or identify how, and in what form, information will be distributed

•  Interpretive Programming : Interpretive programs distributed by agencies or communities in locales can provide information to visitors. More importantly, they help visitors learn to appreciate the area and its resources. The result is more responsible, appropriate visitor behavior. There are many resources available to help with interpretive programming. These range from local subject matter experts, to National and State Parks, Wildlife Resources, Division of State History, nearby colleges and universities, and other entities such as museums and planetariums.

•  Signage : It is important that proper signage lead visitors to where they want and need to go. Signs can also provide regulatory, informational and interpretive information. There are standards for most types of signage, and it is important that these standards are followed. Where signage crosses jurisdictional boundaries, such as a multi-agency trail, a standard should be developed and used by all of the associated agencies to avoid confusion by visitors as they cross agency boundaries. Cooperation between land managers and regulatory agencies is crucial to ensure adequate signage is provided. County plans should be consistent with these standards.

Range of Alternatives

Are there management options / alternatives that can help define a county's desired management preference?

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Existing Condition

The purpose of this section is to provide information and boilerplate language that will help to describe the existing condition.

Data Review

Are there any studies, data, reports, maps, photos, etc that could help local officials describe their existing condition?

Items to Consider

Are there things that locals should consider when describing their existing condition?

Boilerplate Language

Are there examples / sources of the types of language that could be used in a local plan to describe the existing condition?

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Desired Future Condition

The purpose of this section is to provide information and boilerplate language that will help to describe the improvements and changes that need to be made to the existing condition in order to achieve the desired future condition. It also provides the basis for the development of policy statements that support the desired future condition.

Range of Alternatives

Effective information and interpretation will provide a more safe and enjoyable experience for visitors and will help minimize the costs that may accrue to a county from increased use. Several counties have been successful in promoting unique recreation experiences in their area and providing information that travelers can use to locate recreation sites, determine expectations and protect their resource. Information - where to go, what to see, how to see/experience it, how to be safe and avoid impact to resources or other visitors - is crucial in attracting visitors to an area and promoting their return. Many counties have travel and tourism departments that promote the opportunities that may attract visitors and encourage return visits. These entities should be heavily involved in the development of information and interpretation goals and strategies. .

Boilerplate Language

Counties should employ management strategies to attract more visitors, educate the public about county resources and experiences, and ensure visitor safety and responsible use of county resources through effective information and interpretation efforts. Information and interpretation goals should be identified and strategies should be implemented to meet stated objectives.

We need to link this to the “items to consider” list.

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Policy and Position Statements

The purpose of this section is to provide boilerplate policy statement language that will support the desired future conditions. A range of possible conditions is provided here.

Boilerplate Language

Are there examples of sample position statements that local officials could use as examples to include in their own plans?

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Goals, Objectives, and/or Action Items

The purpose of this section is to provide boilerplate examples of the types of improvements or changes that typically would be needed to reach the desired future condition. “Goal” is the desired condition. “Objectives” are improvements or changes that need to be made to reach the goal. “Action Items” are specific actions that can be taken in order to achieve the objective.

Can you think of examples of the types of improvements or changes that typically would be needed to reach a desired future condition? Are you aware of any good local examples?

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Monitoring Methods and Mechanisms

The purpose of this section is to provide suggested techniques and methods for monitoring progress towards the desired condition.

Can you suggest any techniques and methods for monitoring progress?

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Sources and Resources to Assist

This section is intended to be a reference guide to help locate any sources of assistance.

Utah State Parks and Recreation

• State Park Staffs throughout the state or State Office at P.O. Box 146001 , 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City , Utah 84114-6001 . Have expertise in developing and dispensing information materials in a variety of media and sources, and in interpretive programming. http://www.stateparks.utah.gov

Local and state offices of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service

• Can provide expertise in developing and dispensing information sources and in interpretive programming.

Local travel council and chamber of commerce offices

• Have expertise in developing informational sources, and may have funding for visitor information media production.

Other State Agencies

• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (resource information and interpretive information)
• Utah Travel Council (informational media source)
• Utah State Historical Society (information and interpretive source)
• Utah Humanities Council (information and interpretive source)
• Utah Office of Museum Services (information and interpretive source)
• Utah Department of Transportation (information and signage source)

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