As data from previous discussion indicates, the physical environment in which law enforcement must operate has great bearing upon the level and quality of that service. As a general overview of the character of Corps lakes and reservoirs in terms of demographic setting and acreage, the chapter on analysis related that the largest proportion of lakes fall within the small to moderate-sized lakes in rural areas. However, these are less attended lakes. The largely attended lakes, twice as many of which are also rural, fall into the moderate to large sized category. With respect to shoreline, size, a great variability also exists. Nearly 12 percent, for example, have perimeters of less than one mile; 34 percent, less than 20 miles; 36 percent, between 20 and 100 miles; 22 percent, between 100 and 500 miles; and an additional 8 percent, between 500 and 2,500 miles.

The study team analyzed demographic and socioeconomic data of 11 of the field survey sample lakes and found no correlations with the incidence of crime. Table 6-5 provides a summary of some of these data in relationship to the selected Corps lakes.

Surveys of

Access to Corps Projects. The size of Corps lakes is about as varied as is the nature of their physical setting and surroundings. Corps lakes throughout the country by PRC/PMS staff found several consistencies, however, associated with the geography and natural surroundings of the lakes which have bearing on visitor protection.

Access to Corps projects in general and lakes in particular is dependent primarily upon the terrain of the project area. Where foliage is sparse, as in the midwest for example, access is virtually unlimited. In other areas where trees and foliage are plentiful and dense, access can only be accomplished through off-road venicles or by foot. Little is directly known of the number of violations which are occurring in these undeveloped and little used areas. There is little evidence that serious crime is being committed, rather, it is more the case that minor violations of

(Sources: Lines 2-38; U. S. Bureau of the Census: Line 31. Corps of Engineers; Lines 41-45 Municipal Yearbook.)

Corps regulations, as well as vandalism, pilferage, destruction of natural resources, and rowdyism, are prevalent. Fire destruction has been uncommonly low and is primarily due to the close perimeter of the Federal boundaries to the shoreline. It is feared in many areas that these secluded havens are the scene of numerous youthful "drug parties" and illicit acttivities. While this is to some extent probably true, particularly among the urban and suburban projects, there is little evidence to support this general feeling. In any event, the point to be made is that control in the more remote areas is commonly non-existent because of the terrain and the lack of rangers to perform visual checks.

Compounding this problem is the large increase in development just outside the Federal line. With the increase in vacation homes, as well as permanent dwellings, these developments are adding significantly to the problems of control and access which project managers are facing. Frequently unauthorized roadways are cut to the lakes edge and others created simply by recurrent travel by off-road vehicles. One moderately sized rural lake in Missouri, for example, has found over 165 known access roads, the bulk of which were unauthorized.

Encroachment is a common problem along the perimeters of these subdivisions and is fostered by the generally non-marked or poorly marked boundaries of the Federal land. Ecological damage including unauthorized timber cutting, fires, effluent wastes to the lake, soil erosion, and impactation are an oft-found result. For the general public this often results in numerous non-public lake accesses which would not otherwise exist and for which the Corps is unable to perform safety and assistance functions.

For purposes of visitor protection, security and safety,, therefore, the natural setting, as well as human design, has some impact on the overall question. Table 6-6 adds some additional perspective to the scope of this issue. While ecological problems, as has been indicated, involve a variety of differing concerns, they do impact the level and quality of recreation use and the geophysical context in which visitor protection

TABLE 6-6

(Source: PRC/PMS Self-Report Questionnaire)

services must function. As previously indicated, ecological concerns in this context are also most closely related to protection of the natural and man-made environment from abuse and destruction. Of the 238 projects which responded to the question, over one quarter indicated that such ecological concerns were their highest priority problem in terms of visitor protection. Whether urban or rural in nature, ecological concerns appear to be high on the list of priorities.

B.

Relationship Between Recreation and Visitor Protection

Between 1961 and 1971 visitor attendance at Corps recreation sites increased over 250 percent to 310 million in 1971. With this increase has been a corresponding spiral in the need for recreation services and facilities as well as for public safety measures. Corps sources suggest that this trend will continue as data in Table 6-7 indicate.*

(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FY-1973 Code 710 Program Recommendations)

*Corps future recreation development is stringently limited by Federal Policy (P.L. 89-72) which requires a local match for development. Thus, the future trend is dependent upon local government resources and priorities.