Governing snowmobilers in multiple-use landscapes: Swedish and Maine (USA) cases

Abstract

Snowmobiling growth in North America and Sweden creates challenges in “governing the commons.” Snowmobiling contributes to the economy of distressed rural regions and enhances residents' quality of life; but quasi-open access to winter landscapes also breeds conflicts: among snowmobilers, with landowners, with other recreationists, and with environmentalists and ecosystem health. Common pool resource and impure public goods theories are used to interpret these conflicts and strategic interactions. Case studies in Sweden and Maine yield insights about conditions for sustainable management of multiple-use landscapes when property rights are complex and stakeholders diverse. The case studies utilize key informant interviews, tourist surveys, and a contingent valuation exercise to illustrate how innovative governance institutions, complemented by infrastructure investments, can mitigate conflicts, re-align incentives, and internalize costs. Local self-governance has evolved with state facilitation, but without changes in fundamental property law. Three keys are trail agreements between snowmobile clubs and landowners, clubs' norm formation and rule enforcement, and public–private investment in quality trails. These arrangements are strained by hot spot congestion, free riding, and unresolved conflicts with other recreationists.