SENSITIVE AREAS MODELING & PARK SOUNDSCAPES
The Sensitive Area Model, or SAM, is a spatial analysis tool that allows multiple-theme overlays, theme buffering, and weighting of input themes to analyze sensitive resource areas within NPS units. The model was previously known as the Quiet Places initiative during its prototype development, which occurred at Glacier National Park during 2001 and 2002. SAM intends to provide a consistent spatial analysis framework across park units to support topics of concern to the NPS Soundscape Management program. While SAM has been developed with soundscape management issues in mind, this tool has utility beyond soundscape-related issues. Spatial and temporal modeling is made relatively easy through the model interface and park managers should as a result find opportunities to address other resource management questions using this tool.