Capacity norms on bear viewing platforms

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Abstract
Normative theory provides a useful paradigm for collecting and understanding information about acceptable social and environmental impact levels. Initially applied to encounters and related social contact impacts in backcountry settings, normative concepts have since been applied to a greater diversity of impacts and settings. This paper applies the normative approach to capacities on two bear‐viewing platforms at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. A sample of 244 bear viewers visiting during two distinct viewing seasons were asked to specify the acceptable number of people on the platforms at one time. The platforms differed in design, and one was considerably larger than the other. Most viewers had and could specify their norms, and there was strong agreement about some capacities. Norms were lower and levels of agreement were higher for the lower‐use September season, and for the smaller platform. Differences in norms for the two platforms were significant (p <.001), but not as large as expected, given the size and design differences between them. Results suggest there are upper limits for platform capacities irrespective of platform size and design. Implications for designing and managing platforms, or using platform capacities to develop area capacities, are discussed.