Attitudes toward Oil and Gas Development among Forest Recreationists

Abstract

We examined the attitudes of forest recreationists toward oil and gas development in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (PRCSF) of Northern Lower Michigan. Hydrocarbon development of this area occurred, under strict environmental control, after a decade-long controversy over exploration and drilling in backcountry sites inhabited by 1 of 2 elk herds east of the Mississippi River. The controversy also involved the recreational, existential, and option value of backcountry. In order to assess attitudes toward oil and gas development, mail questionnaires were sent to a sample of forest recreationists using the forest between March 1, 1981 and February 28, 1982. Responses from 931 (76%) of these visitors indicated that 60 percent disapproved, 8 percent were undecided, and 32 percent approved of oil and gas development in this forest. Relationships between attitudes, values, beliefs, characteristics, and recreational behavior were examined. Hierarchial multiple regression showed that the level of approval with oil and gas development was associated more with measured beliefs about impacts than with the value priorities we measured. Implications of findings were discussed in reference to management activities, policy evaluation, and attitude theory.