Forecasting increases in recreational value that would result from restoration of natural soundscapes in National Parks

U. S. National Parks are justly celebrated for the superlative quality of their scenic and cultural resources. The Grand Canyon Enlargement Act of 1975 identified natural quiet as an important resource and value. These considerations are two motivations for extensive monitoring of acoustic environments in national park units, and development of models that predict sound levels throughout the system. These models also estimate the spatial distribution of noise of noise exposure. Related social science research has documented the effects of noise on the quality of visitor experience in parks, including the accessibility of wildlife for public viewing. Surveys of park visitors and the American public also document broad support of park efforts to reduce noise. Collectively, this research provides a quantitative framework for estimating the increases in the quality of visitor experience that could be realized through reductions in noise.