ECONOMIC VALUATION OF SOME WETLAND OUTPUTS OF MUD LAKE, MINNESOTA-SOUTH DAKOTA

The objective of this study was to estimate some economic values of Mud Lake, a managed, lacustrine wetland on the Minnesota-South Dakota border. Several outputs of Mud Lake were identified and an economic value was estimated for each. Flood control was valued at approximately $440 per acre, based on dollar damages prevented; water supply, using public utility revenues, was valued at$94 per acre; fish/wildlife habitat, recreation, and aesthetics were valued at about $21 per acre using the Contingent Valuation Method; and corrective expenditures were used to evaluate water quality at a negative per acre value of$180. When capitalized at 6 percent, the estimated total annual value of these four outputs is $6,250 per acre. These values can assist managers and policy makers in making decisions regarding the opportunity costs of Mud Lake management options or of wetland alterations or preservation. These snapshot values of Mud Lake "at the margin" are estimated under the assumption that all other wetlands and water resources in the region are unchanged.wetland, outputs, economic valuation, flood control, water supply, water quality, recreation, aesthetics, fish/wildlife habitat, contingent valuation method, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use,

THE IMPACT OF KNAPWEED ON MONTANA'S ECONOMY

The economic impact of three invasive, exotic weeds--diffuse, spotted, and Russian knapweed (Centaurea diffusa, C. maculosa, and Acroptilon repens)--on Montana's economy was estimated using a procedure developed for another invasive weed species. Published data and that from a survey of county weed boards were used to estimate direct negative impacts of over $14 million annually due to infestation of over 2 million acres of rangeland and wildland. This amounts to about$10.63 on each infested grazing land acre and $3.95 on each infested wildland acre. Direct plus secondary economic impacts, estimated using an input-output model, are about$42 million annually, which could support over 500 jobs in the state's economy. This first approximation suggests the knapweed infestation problem in Montana deserves attention, although more work could be done to refine these estimates and to allow estimation of the impacts at sub-state levels.knapweed (Centaurea diffusa, C. maculosa, and Acroptilon repens), Montana, economic impact, invasive weeds, rangeland, wildland, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

NORTH DAKOTA HOUSEHOLDS' ATTITUDES TOWARD WETLAND PRESERVATION

Over one-half (57%) of the 1,757 respondents to a random survey of North Dakota households agree that all remaining natural wetlands in the state should be preserved. Nearly two- thirds (63%) of the respondents support compensating landowners for preserving wetlands. However, the amount most respondents were willing to pay landowners was $10 or less per year. Over one-third (38%) of the respondents used wetlands for outdoor recreation. Responses were somewhat related to socioeconomic characteristics such as age, gender, income, education, and place of residence.household attitudes, prairie potholes, wetland, North Dakota, Land Economics/Use,

Valuing Prairie Potholes: Five Case Studies

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

An Analysis of Sportsman Activity Data Collection Methods for North Dakota

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND INSTITUTIONAL INCENTIVES TO DRAIN OR PRESERVE PRAIRIE WETLANDS

Land Economics/Use,

THE FEASIBILITY OF WETLAND RESTORATION TO REDUCE FLOODING IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY: A CASE STUDY OF THE MAPLE RIVER WATERSHED, NORTH DAKOTA

The economic feasibility of alternative wetland restoration activities to store water and reduce flood damage was evaluated in the Maple River Watershed, North Dakota, a sub-watershed of the Red River of the North Watershed. The evaluation was based on recent hydrologic modeling and wetland restoration studies, the National Wetland Inventory, local land rental values, and site-specific historical flood damage. With benefit-cost ratios ranging from 0.08 to 0.13, neither simple wetland restoration based on plugging existing drains, nor restoration with outlet control devices, nor complete restoration intended to provide a full range of wetland-based environmental services were economically feasible over a 20-year future period. Peak flood stages and flood damage would need to be reduced by between 4 and 12 percent in order for wetland restoration options to break even. The inclusion of additional wetland benefits did not make wetland restoration economically feasible. It is, therefore, not recommended that public funds be used for extensive wetland restoration projects throughout the Maple River Watershed or the Red River Valley in order to reduce flood damage.Economic feasibility, wetland restoration, flooding, Red River Valley, Land Economics/Use,

Expenditures and Economic Impact of Resident and Nonresident Hunters and Anglers in North Dakota, 1990-91 Season

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Impact of Inundation and Changes in Garrison Diversion Project Plans on the North Dakota Economy

This report attempts to identify the economic consequences of the Garrison Diversion Unit and North Dakota's Missouri River impoundments from the state's perspective. The authors hope it will assist individuals and groups making decisions affecting the future development of North Dakota's water resources.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Economic Contribution of State Parks to the North Dakota Economy

North Dakota's state parks are an important part of tourism which is an important component of the infrastructure supporting the state's economy. The purpose of this study was to estimate the contribution of state parks to the North Dakota economy in the form of increased levels of business activity, employment, personal income, and tax collections.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,