The formulation and application of marine recreation planning methodology : a case study of the Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands
Creators: name: Clark, Kenneth Barry
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2011

description: The purpose of this thesis is to propose a methodology for the estimation of demand for services and facilities for marine recreation. An attempt is then made to provide a methodological translation of these demands into, physical facilities for marine recreation in the Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands, study area. Each of the major components of the proposed methodology is discussed in a chapter and applied to the study area. Chapter I introduces the scope and purpose of the study and hypothesizes that a comprehensive method is needed for planning for marine recreation development. The methodology should have both descriptive and prescriptive components if it is to, be successful. Chapter II studies methods of projecting the growth of the boat population, of a region. This, component has been refined to a high level of sophistication by previous studies. Human population growth, changes in income levels, and human population density are the parameters most useful for the projection of boating growth. Data obtained from a Federal Department of Public Works study on boating in the Georgia. Strait are reworked using, the method of a study done by .the State of Washington for Puget Sound in order to obtain consistent data for the international study area. Chapter III looks at how the number of trips taken in a region can be broken down into trips to and from an area within the region, and concludes that, at this time, the origin destination type of study is the most satisfactory method. Projection, of the distribution, of trips is based on the assumption that the number and type of trips taken by one boater will remain constant. Thus, the number of trips taken to an area can be projected by expanding the present trip distribution by a factor equal to, the projected growth of the boat population. For the thesis, trip, distribution data was obtained from a survey made of boat awning yacht club members. Chapter IV studies the demand for a range of facilities used by boaters. This is done in terms of the uses made of a facility on a type of trip by a type of boat; sail, inboard, or outboard. It is concluded that, except for certain specific facilities such as launching ramps for outboards, the use of a facility does not vary greatly between different types of boats. The thesis has carried this section of the methodology further than other studies have done by quantifying demands for a wide range of facilities associated with marine recreation. Previous attempts have only been concerned with primary boating facilities such as moorage and launching ramps. A final section takes the demands in terms of uses per trip and converts them into demands for space. Chapter V states the need for a prescriptive component in the methodology. This enables the planner to make decisions in respect to what amount of services should be provided. Data limitations precluded the application of this component to the study area. A number of locational constraints were stated which should, be recognized in the planning of future facilities. Based on these constraints, possible areas for different types of development were mapped. In Chapter VI it is concluded that the use of a descriptive methodology for the examination and determination of demand for different facilities for marine recreation is feasible and desirable. A prescriptive component is needed for the planning methodology. This component will require a statement of regional goals and extensive site and ecological, evaluation before it can be used for planning.