1
Economic Benefits of Watershed Protection
Travis Warziniack, Ph.D.Rocky Mountain Research StationU.S. Forest [email protected]
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The value to whom?
Forests to Faucets
3
A framework: Be
nefit
s
Per Unit of Risk
Wildfire Potential MapsMissoula Fire Lab
Erosion Potential
Wildfire Potential MapsColorado – Big Thompson and Poudre
Measurements of Value
Percent Reduction in Turbidity
Percent Reduction in Treatment Costs
Source
1 1/3 Willamette Valley, OR, Moore and McCarl 1987
10 1/4 Texas, Dearmont et al 1998
1 0.07 US, Holmes 1988
10 4 Ohio’s Corn Belt, Forster et al 1987
Based on old data (1996 last update)
Breaking news…
$48k
American Water Works Association, $24k + staff supportUS Endowment for Forests and Communities, $24k
Partners: US Forest ServiceAWWAUS Endowment for Forests and CommunitiesTrust for Public LandWorld Resources InstitutePinchot InstituteYale School of Forestry
Breaking news…
- Cross-sectional survey
- Case studies ~10, working on criteria
- Over-sampling in West and Colorado
- Feb 1 – Dec 31 AWWA $, Endowment $ available now