The National Park Service (NPS) initiated a Visitor Experience Monitoring Program in 2007. The Visitor Experience Monitoring Plan (VEMP) was developed in cooperation with Oregon State University researchers Bo Shelby, Ph.D. and Doug Whitaker, Ph.D. under a cooperative agreement with Oregon State University.
The NPS developed the monitoring plan to assess key indicators of visitor experience including inter-group encounters at attraction sites, campsites and on the river; campsite competition, and other factors that influence the quality of visitors’ river running experience in Grand Canyon National Park. Monitoring is very important because it provides the National Park Service, and the public, with objective information about how successful the new Colorado River Management Plan is in meeting its objectives and identifies and informs potential adaptive management actions.
VEMP implementation work began in 2007. River contact logs were completed by administrative trips, attraction site monitoring work was initiated, and river outreach activities, such as creation of launch/exchange/takeout calendars, were increased. Pilot attraction site monitoring work was conducted at Deer Creek in June and October and at the Whitmore exchange site in July. Information acquired during the 2007 monitoring work and from river user feedback is being used to design the monitoring program in 2008.
Most of the monitoring activity in 2008 will be focused on collecting information to better understand the relationships between launch patterns, trip length, helicopter exchanges, attraction site visitation and campsite use in the Deer Creek, Havasu and Whitmore areas. Information collected during the monitoring trips will be used to inform any future adaptive management actions.
The tentative schedule for 2008 is as follows:
Late April: Nankoweap
May: Little Colorado River, Deer Creek/Havasu/Whitmore
June: Deer Creek/Havasu/Whitmore
July: Deer Creek/Havasu/Whitmore
August: Deer Creek/Havasu/Whitmore
October: Deer Creek/Tapeats Creek
Additional monitoring needs may be identified during the 2008 season; the schedule may be adjusted or expanded as necessary.
