U.S Department of the Interior, National Park Service
GMP Dynamic Sourcebook, version 2.1, March 2008, Appendix G: User Capacity GMP Home Map Image
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G.1 Summary Table for User Capacity

The following table from the John Day Fossil Beds NM GMP / EA (2007) shows one way user capacity can be addressed in a GMP. The table shows indicators, standards, and related monitoring and potential future management strategies arranged by management zone. It is important to note that this example is for illustrative purposes only. Although the general approach to addressing user capacity will likely be similar to Table G.1, each GMP will need to be modified to fit the unique circumstances and situation of each park plan.

Summary of User Capacity Indicators, Standards, and Strategies for Monitoring and Management
  User Capacity Indicators User Capacity Standards Related Monitoring Strategies Potential Management Strategies

Cultural Zone

 1. Number of people encountered per hour on designated (official) trails 1. No more than xx people encountered per hour 1. Observations of encounter rates as part of regular patrols; systematic observations would be done, if needed, as a result of an increasing trend in encounter rates 1. Education (e.g., encourage voluntary redistribution of use); site management (e.g., resize parking lot/access points, alter trail opportunities)
Frontcountry Zone N/A – User capacity managed by facility capacities N/A – User capacity managed by facility capacities Sufficiency of facility capacities would continue to be monitored Future planning will address conflicts between facility capacity deficiencies and maintaining desired resource conditions and visitor experiences<
Pedestrian Zone 1. Number of human-created (unofficial) trails per mile leaving a designated (official) trail 1. No more than xx human-created (unofficial) trails per mile leaving adesignated (official) trail 1. Observations of human-created trails as part of regular patrols; periodically maphuman-created trails 1. Education (e.g., educate regarding resource sensitivity and need for appropriate behaviors); site management (e.g., place physical barriers along the trails, close areas); enforcement (e.g., provide signs, increase law enforcement presence, impose sanctions)
  2. Number of people encountered per hour on designated (official) trails

 2. No more than xx people encountered per hour

 2. Observations of encounter rates as part of regular patrols; systematic observations would be done, if needed, as a result of an increasing trend in encounter rates 2. Education (e.g., encourage voluntary redistribution of use); site management (e.g., resize parking lot/access points, alter trail opportunities); reallocation of use (e.g., institute a permitting or reservation system); regulations (e.g., limit group sizes, limit length of stay)
Backcountry Zone 1. Linear feet of human-created (unofficial) trails per acre 1. No more than xx linear feet of human–created (unofficial) trails per acre 1. Observations of human-created trails as part of regular patrols; periodically map human-created trails 1. Education (e.g., educate regarding resource sensitivity and need for appropriate behaviors); site management (e.g., place physical barriers along the trails, close areas); enforcement (e.g., provide signs, increase law enforcement presence, impose sanctions)
  2. Number of people encountered per hour on designated (official) trails

 2. No more than xx people en­countered per hour

 2. Observations of encounter rates as part of regular patrols; systematic observations would be done, if needed, as a result of an increasing trend in encounter rates 2. Education (e.g., encourage voluntary redistribution of use); site management (e.g., resize parking lot/access points, alter trail opportunities); reallocation of use (e.g., institute a permitting or reservation system); Regulations (e.g., limit group sizes, limit length of stay)
Primitive Zone 1. Linear feet of human-created (unofficial) trails per acre 1. No more than xx linear foot of human–created (unofficial) trails per acre 1. Observations of human-created trails as part of regular patrols; periodically map human-created trails 1. Education (e.g., educate regarding resource sensitivity and need for appropriate behaviors); site management (e.g., close areas); enforcement (e.g., provide signs about appropriate behaviors, increase law enforcement presence, impose sanctions)
  2. Number of groups seen per day (6 am to 9 pm) within the primitive zone

 2. No more than xx groups seen per day in the zone 2. Observations of encounter rates as part of regular patrols; systematic observations would be done, if needed, as a result of an increasing trend in encounter rates 2. Education (e.g., encourage voluntary redistribution of use); reallocation of use (e.g., institute a permitting or reservation system); regulations (e.g., limit group sizes, limit length of stay)
Transportation Corridor Zone N/A – The NPS does not have management authority over the county and state road corridors, so no user capacity indicators and standards are identified N/A N/A N/A
Operations Zone N/A – Minimal public use, so no user capacity indicators and standards are necessary N/A N/A N/A

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