At a Glance

The Corps of Engineers conducts satisfaction surveys of recreation visitors as a basis for monitoring the quality of recreation opportunities provided to the public. These surveys provide visitor feedback on the natural resources, facilities, services, and information encountered by visitors at Corps projects.

Two different surveys are used to measure satisfaction of recreation visitors to Corps projects. They are:

• American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI): The ACSI is produced by the Stephen M. Ross Business School at the University of Michigan. The Corps of Engineers participates in this independent survey of customers of numerous private sector businesses and public sector agencies. Results of this survey allow the Corps of Engineers to benchmark its performance as a provider of recreation opportunities to the public with that of other federal recreation providers and private sector businesses that offer a variety of services to the public.

• Visitor Comment Card Program: Standardized surveys are conducted annually on Corps-managed recreation areas under the direction of project management staff. Data are used:
  • To identify day-to-day management issues and visitor needs at Corps-managed recreation areas and projects.
  • To compare the performance of different projects in satisfying visitor needs and expectations given existing natural resource conditions, facilities, and management resources.
  • In the annual performance-based budgeting process for allocating recreation and natural resources management budget.
  • As the basis for computing some of the recreation performance measures that are reported each year to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as required under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.