enforcement is readily available in rural areas and that which is available is frequently less well-equipped and organized. In many rural areas this can give rise to a feeling of isolation and vulnerability to real and potential problems. In some rural areas, this is an observed reality. Use of citation authority in these areas, if not throughout the Corps, is greatly dependent upon the individual who is confronted, as well as the situation in general. By himself, in some instances, rangers would prefer to avoid issuance of citations if at all possible, for in reality the violator need only refuse to cooperate with the ranger or simply walk away to avoid receiving the citation. And too, it is typically the case that, on the estimate of rangers and local authorities, a good number of firearms are being carried into these recreation areas by campers and day users which adds to the potential threat.

In any event, it is a reality that some of the feeling in rural areas regarding the insufficiency of citation is based upon both a psychological and a real threat of ranger insecurity during the course of performing their duty. This point is substantiated to a degree in Table 6-10, which reflects the level of cooperation that visitors give to rangers when reprimanded. Although only a few serious problem locations of this type exist, nearly all of them are associated with rural projects. That the threat to ranger security is partially psychological is indicated by the fact that only four lakes reported that any actual assaults on rangers had occurred.

The feeling that rangers need more authority, such as the power of arrest and firearms, is also more prevalent among rural Corps projects than among urban projects as data in Table 6-11 and Table 6-12, respectively, indicates for those who responded.

With regard to the desire for arrest power and carrying firearms, 38 percent and 37 percent of urban lakes agree or strongly agree that these are needed, respectively, while 59 percent and 45 percent of rural lakes hold the same respective opinion. On the negative side of this issue, 30 percent

TABLE 6-12

and 40 percent of urban projects indicate that they either disagree or strongly disagree with the need for arrest power and firearms in that order; while in rural settings, 27 percent and 36 percent maintain the same respective feelings. While not overwhelming, there is an obvious trend in this data which finds rural projects more desirous of increased authority and personal protection.