Recreation demand: on-site sampling and responsiveness of trip behavior to physical water quality measures

Valuing the improvement of water quality in Iowa lakes is the objective of this dissertation. In the first two essays, the focus is combining revealed preference and stated preference data from an intercept survey at a northcentral Iowa lake. In the first essay, the contingent behavior trips which are contingent on the price (i.e. travel cost) of the recreation trip are combined with observed trips. However, since this data set was collected on-site, the primary purpose of the first essay is to consider controlling for on-site sampling with a panel data set. A count data model is employed, specifically a mixed Poisson regression model, with a more flexible log-normal mixing distribution rather than the standard gamma distribution. This essay shows the importance of correcting for on-site sampling, as the adjusted average fitted observed trips and contingent trips decrease significantly, resulting in lower annual consumer surplus estimates.;The second essay uses a continuous model jointly estimating three data sources, observed behavior and contingent behavior trips, and contingent valuation data, following Huang, Haab, and Whitehead\u27s 1997 article in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. This essay extends Huang, Haab, and Whitehead\u27s analysis by correcting their joint model for on-site sampling.;The final essay uses two extensive data sets, one economic (a random sample of 4,500 Iowan\u27s trip behavior to 129 of Iowa\u27s principal lakes in 2002), and one ecological (14 physical water quality measures for the 129 Iowa lakes for 2002). This essay analyzes Iowan\u27s responsiveness to variation in physical water quality measures. A repeated mixed logit model is employed and the results show that Iowan\u27s do consider the physical condition of the lake water when choosing which lakes to visit. In particular, decreased water clarity and increased nutrient concentrations leads to fewer trips. Lastly, welfare scenarios were calculated indicating Iowan\u27s highly value water quality improvement, but with limited resources, they would prefer a few more lakes with superior water quality over all of the impaired lakes being adequately improved

Issues in forest restoration: Carbon credits for restored western dry forests?

Paying for large-scale ecological restoration of dry forests on federally managed lands throughout the western United States is urgently needed, but also quite expensive. Most experts agree that federal dollars will not be enough to do the job. While one of the obvious ways to help pay for restoration of overstocked forests is from timber sale proceeds, there may be another option-the sale of carbon credits in the newly emerging carbon marketplace. In this white paper, we discuss the basic issues involved in carbon trading, especially as it applies to forests and forest restoration in the American West. While the current carbon market situation is unlikely to provide much economic advantage, emerging federal cap-and-trade legislation and continuing interest in "green" economics may soon support a market-based scenario where healthy, restored forests are valued for their prodigious ecosystem services

Adult student motives for accessing the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

The overall aim of this thesis is to uncover adult student motives for returning to a full-time formal adult education programme called the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and to better understand the obstacles encountered by such adults. This thesis profiles VTOS students during the 2007 - 2008 academic year and their views are illuminated by research conducted with VTOS coordinators during a three-year period from 2006 to 2008 inclusive. Applying a pragmatic philosophical underpinning or conceptual framework to a mixed methods sequential explanatory strategy, enabled this researcher to address this thesis in a triangulated manner. This thesis evidences the idiosyncratic nature of adult students and uncovers a multitude of motivating factors which influence the decisions of adult learners to participate in VTOS. A key finding of this research is that VTOS students are motivated both by the prospect of employment and by the prospect of further studies leading to employment. Obstacles to accessing VTOS are explored and the restrictive capacity of VTOS emerged as one of the greatest national obstacles. Many other obstacles emerged from within the student, the greatest of which was a lack of self-belief. A series of conclusions and recommendations are presented, including; an increase in the capacity of VTOS to meet current demands, a review of financial incentives for grant assisted adult students, the establishment of Local Adult Learning Boards and the promotion of an ambassador students programme to further encourage word of mouth and reduce the obstacles of fear and self-doubt amongst potential students. It is hoped that the findings of this research will further the discussion of interested parties on the following aspects of VTOS; widening participation, recruitment, admissions, retention, achievement and programme content

FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAXATION-ADEQUACY OF CONSIDERATION IN TRANSFERS CONNECTED WITH DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS OR SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

Today it is common procedure for a husband and wife, contemplating divorce or separation, to make an advance agreement concerning alimony and division of their property. Often this agreement will be adopted by the court in its decree of separation or divorce. It is the purpose of this comment to discuss the estate and gift tax consequences of such agreements. In order to understand properly the problems which have come up in connection with gift tax liability, it is necessary first to chart out the path taken under the estate tax

INSURANCE-REINSTATEMENT-\u27\u27INSURABILITY

lnsured took out a policy of life insurance with defendant company which contained a clause providing for reinstatement within five years after default on presentation of evidence of insurability satisfactory to the company and payment of overdue premiums with interest. After default in payment of premiums, insured requested reinstatement. The insured had taken up aviation in the interval between issuance of the policy and the request for reinstatement. The company agreed to reinstate on condition that the insured would agree to a modification of the policy, so that it would not cover death resulting from operation of any kind of airplane. The insured was killed in a plane crash. The beneficiaries contend that the meaning of the term insurability is no broader than good health and since the insured was in good health at the time he applied for reinstatement, there is no consideration for his agreement to modify the policy. Held, judgment for beneficiary reversed. The existence. of serious hazards not present when the insurance was taken out will normally justify an insurer\u27s refusal to reinstate on grounds of lack of insurability. Schiel v. N.Y. Life Ins. Co., (9th Cir. 1949) 178 F. (2d) 729

TAXATION-STOCK DIVIDENDS AS INCOME

X corporation had two classes of stock outstanding. The Class A stock was a preferred stock entitled to cumulative dividends and a liquidation preference. The Class B stock was a non-voting stock, entitled to an annual $2 dividend after payment of the dividend on the preferred. Both classes were entitled to participate equally (on a pro rata basis) in any dividends in excess of the two mentioned above. The corporation declared a stock dividend, entitling each Class A holder to one-half share of Class A stock for each share presently held, and each Class B holder to one-half share of Class B stock for each share presently held. Petitioner held both Class A and Class B shares. Held, the dividend constituted income as to both the Class A and Class shares received. If the issuance of a stock dividend affects a change in the proprietary interests of the holders of the stock of the other class, then the dividend is income. Weigand v. Commissioner, 14 T.C. 136 (1950.

Valuing Water Quality As a Functionof Water Quality Measures

This paper incorporates a rich set of physical water quality attributes, as well as site and household characteristics, into a model of recreational lake usage in Iowa. Our analysis shows individuals are responsive to physical water quality measures. Willingness-to-pay estimates are reported based on improvements in these measures.