Auto congestion, overflow parking, and heavily eroded trails are the most apparent symptoms of high use throughout park lands on MDI. Addressing visitor management and capacity for the MDI section of the park is complex and problematic, but it is called for in the park General Management Plan. In 2000, Acadia National Park took the first step in this process, hosting a visitor capacity charrette (workshop). Park staff, local interests, and outside experts convened to brainstorm strategies for dealing with this issue.

The outcome was a charrette report recommending ten potential strategies. This was followed up in 2003 by a visitor use management strategy prepared for the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. Both reports are linked at left. A visitor management and capacity planning process will begin in 2003, with research to support decision-making expected in 2004 and beyond.