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1. Assessing Collaborative Management of a Rock Climbing Resource David P. Carter Christopher M. Weible School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Meeting, April 12-15, 2012 INDIAN CREEK MANAGEMENT Environmental degradation due to recreational users is a central problem for public land managers. In the renowned rock climbing destination, Indian Creek, Utah, an informal arrangement between local BLM management officials and the climbing community seeks to address this problem:the climbing community is working with the BLM tocurb its environmental impact andmaintain sustainable practices. • OBJECTIVE • This study assesses collaborative management efforts between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the climber advocacy organization, Friends of Indian Creek (FOIC), in the renowned rock climbing destination, Indian Creek, Utah. • RESEARCH QUESTIONS • To what extent are climbers compliant with collaborative management policies? • To what extent does the management arrangement match the CPR design principles of robust institutions? • CONTRIBUTIONS • Theoretically, we provide an application of CPR theory outside of traditional CPRs such as fisheries, forests, and graze land. • Methodologically, we employ interviews in a departure from traditional ethnographic methods in the application of IAD framework-based CPR theory. • Practically, we identify Indian Creek management strengths and vulnerabilities. • DISCUSSION • Practical: Four areas of potential management vulnerabilities: • Pet supervision and control • Unclear public–private boundaries • A lack of graduated sanctions • No clear or consistent dispute • resolution system. • Theoretical: Possible deviations from elements of the first design principle: • CONCLUSION • Our findings lend measured support that the Indian Creek management arrangement has been effective in achieving some of its objectives in a short time period. • THE IAD FRAMEWORK • The Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework identifies variables, such as physical conditions, community attributes, and institutional rules that lead to policy outcomes. • CPR Theory: Common pool resource (CPR) theory specifies eight principles that lead to long-term cooperation and successful resource management through institutional design. • RESULTS Temporal boundary rules do not appear to be important/have influence. Public-private boundary identification is important. METHODOLOGY INTERVIEWS: 12 respondents, including FOIC board members, climbers, and BLM personnel. DOCUMENT REVIEW: Documents from the BLM Monticello Field Office, the Access Fund, FOIC, and Northern Arizona University. SITE VISITS: Focused on two observable elements: (1) visible FOIC action and; (2) visible evidence of climber impact.