Project Number: WVA00162
CRIS Number: 0189481
Economic Valuation of Stream Restoration
Investigators: Collins, A. R., Rosenberger, R., Fletcher, J.
Performing Department: Resource Management -- 8485
Start Date: 09/01/2001
Termination Date: 08/31/2003
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
The initial phase of this project has involved development of electronic surveys to determine the economic valuation of stream restoration. Two watersheds in West Virginia with degraded streams are being examined in this research. The survey development phase has consisted of conducting four focus groups - three in the Deckers Creek watershed and one in the Paint Creek watershed. These focus groups involved about 30 citizens interested and involved in stream restoration. These citizens were recruited from the membership of watershed associations in both watersheds and users of a rail-trail along Deckers Creek. The main objective of conducting focus groups was to learn citizen concerns, perceptions, and values regarding restoration of degraded streams. From the information gained at the focus groups, a draft survey instrument has been developed and is being placed in electronic form - web and laptop based. This survey will utilize a stated preference technique called conjoint analysis to derive economic valuations of restoring degraded streams. The next phase of survey development involves survey review by stream restoration experts and pre-testing of the survey instrument among the general public.
Publications: (No publications.)
Impact:
The expected impact of this research is to provide water resource policy makers with a design of survey instruments that will enable the efficient collection of primary valuation data in various watersheds across the Mid-Atlantic region in order to determine the economic benefits of restoring degraded streams.