The Limits of acceptable change (LAC) system for wilderness planning /

This paper describes the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) system, a framework for establishing acceptable and appropriate resource and social conditions in recreation settings.The LAC has been developed in response to the need of managers for a means of coping with increasing demands on recreational areas in a visible, logical fashion.The LAC also represents a reformulation of the recreational carrying capacity concept, with the primary emphasis now on the conditions desired in the area rather than on how much use an area can tolerate.The LAC is not a new idea.It is, however, the latest step in a continuing effort to improve wildland recreation management through definition of more explicit, measurable objectives.Nine steps are involved in the overall process.