Environmental justice and the spatial distribution of outdoor recreation sites: an application of geographic information systems

This study examines the spatial distribution of outdoor recreation sites an d their proximity to census block groups (CBGs), in order to determine pote ntial socioeconomic inequities. It is framed within the context of environm ental justice. Information from the Southern Appalachian Assessment databas e was applied to a case study of the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. Outdoor recreation sites (campgrounds, wilderness areas, good/poo r fisheries habitat, and overcrowded recreation sites) were mapped using ge ographic information systems. All CBGs (n = 200) contained by, and within 1 500 meters (approximately one mile), of the Chattahoochee National Forest w ere identified and characterized by four socioeconomic variables (race, hou sehold income, heritage, and occupation). Legit analysis was conducted to d etermine the spatial relationships between outdoor recreation sites and CBG variables. Results show that household income was the only significant pre dictor (p < .05) of proximity to outdoor recreation sites. CBGs with a high er proportion of lower income households were significantly more likely to be situated within 1500 meters of a wilderness area, campground, and/or goo d fisheries habitat than CBGs with higher incomes. Implications for identif ying recreation as a locally desirable or undesirable land-use, applying be nefits-based management, and considering sustainable community development in national forest management are addressed.