STAKEHOLDERS' RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE USDA FOREST SERVICE AT THE SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA) is developing a collaborative management plan. To develop a public involvement strategy, it is necessary to assess the social conditions in the area. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship local stakeholders in the NRA have with the USDA Forest Service (USFS) with regard to the collaborative management process. Study participants (N = 12) were selected based on their knowledge about and interest in the NRA, including those dependent on the economic benefi ts and amenities of the area. Study participants were asked to describe and rate the relationship that currently exists between stakeholders and the USFS. Stakeholders were primarily focused on future economic development, and generally rated their current relationship with the USFS as positive. The current relationship between stakeholders and NRA management was found to be suitable for a collaborative management approach to NRA planning.