Demand and Response: The Case of Snowmobiling in Minnesota

Abstract

Abstract-The recent development of snowmobiling provides an opportunity to examine government reponse to sudden, unprecedented demands. This analysis reveals overwhelming pressures on the state to take the role of advocate for this form of recreation,largely as a result of dependence of the bureaucratic structure on funding derived directly from snowmobile-related revenues. A fundamental question which results is how funding sources should influence the allocation of public lands to competing uses. We suggest here an ideal approach which would classify any new demand so that an initial response was automatic. Time would then be provided for a more deliberate, planned decision preceding a major commitment of resources. Flexibility should also be built into the decisionmaking process so that resources can be reallocated with changes in demand.