Outdoor recreation for America: a report to the president and the congress by the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2002

Implementation of this system would be a major step forward in a coordinated national recreation effort. It would provide a consistent and effective method of planning for all land-managing agencies and would promote logical adjustment of the entire range of recreation activities to the entire range of available areas. Under this approach of recreation zoning, the qualities of the respective classes of recreation environments are identified and therefore more readily enhanced and protected.

The following system of classifying outdoor recreation resources is proposed--

Class I--High-Density Recreation Areas

Areas intensively developed and managed for mass use.

Class II--General Outdoor Recreation Areas

Areas subject to substantial development for a wide variety of specific recreation uses.

Class III--Natural Environment Areas

Various types of areas that are suitable for recreation in a natural environment and usually in combination with other uses.

Class IV-- Unique Natural Areas

Areas of outstanding scenic splendor, natural wonder, or scientific importance.

Class V--Primitive Areas

Undisturbed roadless areas characterized by natural, wild conditions, including "wilderness areas."

Class VI--Historic and Cultural Sites

Sites of major historic or cultural significance, either local, regional, or national. Recommendations for specific applications of the system appear in chapters six and eight.

Expansion, Modification, and Intensification of Present Programs

PLANNING, ACQUISITION, PROTECTION, AND ACCESS

1. Each state, through a central agency, should develop a long-range plan for outdoor recreation, to provide adequate opportunities for the public, to acquire additional areas where necessary, and to preserve outstanding natural sites.

2. Local governments should give greater emphasis to the needs of their citizens for outdoor recreation by considering it in all land-use planning, opening areas with recreation potential to use, and where necessary, acquiring new areas.

3. States should seek to work out interstate arrangements where the recreation-seeking public overflows political boundaries. The Federal Government should assist in meeting these interstate demand situations.

4. Systematic and continuing research, both fundamental and applied, should be promoted to provide the basis for sound planning and decisions.

5. Immediate action should be taken by Federal, State, and local governments to reserve or acquire additional water, beach, and shoreline areas, particularly near population centers.

6. Full provision for acquiring shoreline lands for public access and use should be made in reservoir developments.

7. Surface rights to surplus Federal lands suitable for recreation should be transferred without cost to State or local governments with reversion clauses.

8. Open space programs for metropolitan areas should be continued.

9. Congress should enact legislation to provide for the establishment and preservation of certain primitive areas as "wilderness areas."

10. Certain rivers of unusual scientific, esthetic, and recreation value should be allowed to remain in their free-flowing state and natural setting without man-made alterations.