Adirondack tourism: perceived consequences of acid rain

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:7135682

Metz, W C

This report seeks to place in perspective the perceived effects of acid precipitation on the tourist industry in the Adirondacks. The 9375-square mile park is host to almost nine million tourists annually, not including seasonal residents. Since the park was established almost 100 years ago, there have been many changes in tourist characteristics, available recreational facilities, kinds of activities, accessibility of the area, and land use and resource management policies. The tourist industry has been influenced by both controllable and uncontrollable factors. At present the overwhelming majority of recreational opportunities and natural resources important to the Adirondack tourist industry are relatively unaffected by acid precipitation. Fishing, a significant component of the tourist industry, is the most vulnerable, but any presumed adverse economic effect has to be weighed against the location of the impacted waters, total Adirondack fishing habitat, substitution available, habitat usage, fisherman characteristics, resource management, and the declining importance of fishing as an Adirondack recreational attraction. Concern is expressed as to whether present minimal acidification impacts are the precursor of major future impacts on Adirondack terrestrial and aquatic environments, and ultimately tourism. Tourism in the Adirondacks is increasing, while many other regional employment sectors are declining. It is becoming a more stable multiseason industry. Its future growth and character will be affected by government, private organization, business community, and resident controversies regarding land use and resource management attitudes, policies, budgets, and regulations. The acid precipitation issue is only one of many related controversies. 65 references, 2 figures.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 7135682
• Report Number(s): BNL-34530; ON: DE84010292
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500500* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FORECASTING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAND USE
MOUNTAINS
RAIN
SOCIAL IMPACT
TOURISM