Public Utility Model for Managing Public Land Recreation Enterprises

摘要

Through review of relevant economic principles and judicial precedent, a case is made that public-land recreation enterprises are analogous to traditionally recognized public utilities. Given the historical concern over the societal value of recreation and associated pricing issues, public-land management policies failing to acknowledge these utility like characteristics and a subsequent regulatory responsibility are shown to be deficient. Existing institutional barriers, however, sometimes limit the options available to agency managers. Eight strategies for performance enhancement are offered.