The Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal facilities are involved in
massive remediation and restoration efforts on lands that may eventually b
e turned over for recreation or other uses by the public. In addition, othe
r sites are expected to continue their ongoing missions, but recreation may
be sanctioned, or not discouraged, on their remediated lands. Understandin
g the amount and types of recreation of regional residents who might use su
ch lands, as well as their willingness to use these lands, is critical to d
etermining both cleanup and restoration standards, and potential future ris
k. In this article the recreational rates, current recreational use, and wi
llingness to recreate on Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico are e
xamined for 356 people interviewed at a well-attended gun show in Albuquerq
ue, NM. There were few significant ethnic differences in recreational rates
, although Hispanics had higher fishing rates and lower bird-watching rates
than whites. Women hunted less, and photographed more, than men. Younger p
eople fished and hunted more, and bird-watched less, than older people. The
re were no differences in recreational rates as a function of income or edu
cation. These data can be used for understanding potential exposure of peop
le in the vicinity of Los Alamos.