Inyo National Forest

Projects & Plans - Recreation Facility Analysis

• Background
• What is RFA?
• Seven Step Process
• Public Participation
• Project Documents
  

Background

Many of the Inyo's developed recreation sites were built 30-50 years ago. Since then, visitor preferences and demographics have changed. Some sites no longer serve projected recreation demand; some facilities are in poor shape and do not meet visitors' expectations. To respond to these conditions and national direction, the forest is implementing the Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RFA) process for developed recreation sites. The result of RFA is a program of work with a list of prioritized actions to more effectively manage these recreation sites. This program of work will be consistent with the Route Designation process also underway, and Recreation Enhancement Act implementation.

What Is RFA?

RFA is an analysis tool developed nationally to help forests align their developed recreation sites with the unique characteristics of the forest, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations, and revenue. National forests across the country are undertaking this process. RFA is driven by three strategic goals:

1. Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest;
2. Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards;
3. Eliminate/reduce recreation-site deferred maintenance.

A seven-step process is used to evaluate and prioritize sites for action. The results are contained in a proposed 5-year program of work. Public feedback is sought to ensure that these actions are sound and responsive to visitor needs. Annually, phases of the program of work are implemented; additional public participation is conducted at that time.

Seven Step Process

The RFA process involves seven steps, each bringing the Inyo's developed recreation sites in closer alignment with its unique characteristics, projected demand, visitor expectations and revenue.

STEP 1: Prepare Site Inventory & Financial Data
Forest recreation-site facility inventory and associated financial data is updated. Participants determine preliminary operation and maintenance (O&M), and deferred maintenance (DM) estimates for each recreation site.

STEP 2: Identify Unit Recreation Program Niche
Recreation-visitor use and market data are examined to determine the focus of the Inyo's recreation program. Participants develop map that displays the Forest’s recreation settings and summary paragraph that characterizes the Forest’s unique recreation program "niche."

STEP 3: Identify Operational Efficiencies
Recreation sites are examined to determine if efficiencies can be undertaken to further reduce site expenditures or eliminate deferred maintenance. Participants determine a proposed set of management options for each site to reduce costs.

STEP 4: Rank Recreation Sites
Recreation sites are rated through the use of a series of questions involving the sites' conformance with the Inyo recreation program niche; their financial and operational efficiency; their effects on environmental sustainability; and their effects on community stability. Workshop participants develop a proposed ranking of sites.

STEP 5: Propose 5-year Program of Work to Stakeholders
The proposed 5-year program of work for recreation sites is prepared based upon the analysis completed in the previous four steps. Broader discussions with stakeholders are sought to explore alternative ways of operating sites or building new partnerships.

STEP 6: Finalize 5-year Proposed Program of Work
The 5-year program of work for recreation sites is refined, based upon the broader discussions with stakeholders.

STEP 7: Implementation
Annually, site-specific steps are proposed to implement the 5-year program of work for recreation sites. Prior to implementation, National Environmental Policy Act and other agency coordination requirements are completed.

Public Participation

We recognize the importance of these sites and welcome your comments and suggestions during this process. Your participation is important to ensure that the results of the RFA process meet visitor needs and offer the best recreation opportunities in places important to people.

Forest recreation managers invite you to work with them to identify how to best address these sites and specifically react to the proposed program of work. We plan to have preliminary results of the proposed program of work for public review later this spring. For more information about RFA, please refer to the More Information box on the right side of the screen.

If you have specific questions, want to be put on the RFA mailing list for future notification, or wish to more actively participate, please feel free to contact Jeff Marsolais at (760) 873-2515.

Project Documents