The Supply of Private Acreage for Public Recreational Use in Southern and Central Appalachia

Public lands in Southern and Central Appalachia (SCA) available for outdoor recreational pursuits are limited relative to the rest of the county. This study identifies factors that encourage private land owners to permit public access to their land for recreational purposes and determines how much acreage would be offered in the Southern and Central Appalachia region. The Tobit and Heckman’s sample selection models suggest that the probability of offering land to the public is correlated with the number of acres offered. Having acreage suited for recreation is a positive determinant of acres leased but attributes developed by the landowner act as a disincentive. Type of recreational activity has no effect on the landowner’s decision and the supply of recreational acreage is inelastic with respect to price.