Implementation of Recreation Fees by the U.S. Forest Service: 1996-2002

In recognition of the potential for recreational use fees to contribute to the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of public lands, Congress passed the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program in 1996, authorizing federal land management agencies to charge recreational use fees and retain the revenue. This study analyzes the response of federal land managers to this authority through estimation of the factors that influenced the fee setting decision by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) between 1996 and 2003. Both forest size and the availability of substitutes are estimated to delay fee implementation, while a large local population has a positive influence on the fee setting decision.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

BOOK REVIEW: Robert A. Young. Determining the Economic Value of Water: Concepts and Methods.

Environmental Economics and Policy,

Valuing Teams: What Influences Student Attitudes?

The ability to work with others is a skill highly valued by employers. Students often work in groups for class projects, but extensive teamwork is usually limited. This research explores student attitudes toward working with peers through a "Value of Teams" survey. The relationship of demographic characteristics and initial attitudes, changes in attitudes after a semester in an intensive team-based learning environment, and the enduring effect of attitudes as measured through responses of students enrolled in a second class with the same instructor are all examined.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Automobile Fuel Economy: What is it Worth?

The marginal value of increased automobile fuel economy is estimated using a hedonic model of 2001 model year automobiles sold in the United States. This value is then compared to the average expected lifetime fuel savings attributable to increased fuel economy. Results indicate that automobile buyers fully internalize fuel cost savings attributable to improved fuel economy at low discount rates, and may partially internalize other perceived benefits of improved fuel economy such as reduction in global warming or fossil fuel dependence.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

HYDRO-POLITICS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL WATER TREATIES

Water resource issues are closely related to property rights issues, as the holders of property rights along a river bank, watershed, lake, or river basin, often take priority in terms of water usage. Rivers, aquifers and other bodies of water transgress national boundaries, giving rise to conflicts. Treaties, agreements, and conventions seek to allocate water rights among countries in a manner that benefits all participants. This study conducts an empirical analysis of macroeconomic, geological, hydrological, and institutional variables in order to determine factors contributing to the existence of bilateral treaty and treaty structure.International Relations/Trade, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, K330,

Evolution of the Ionizing Background at High Redshifts

We use a Maximum-Likelihood analysis to constrain the value and evolution of the ionizing background for 2<z<4.5, taking account of possible systematic errors. (The paper has a more detailed abstract)Comment: 12 figures (9 of those double plots), 17 pages. Accepted by MNRA

DOES PROXIMITY TO A GOLF COURSE MATTER?

In this study, we augment an earlier study by estimating the effect of golf courses on housing values using a data set of single-family homes sold between 1994 and 2000. We find that there is generally a positive impact on houses proximate to open space (golf courses and neighborhood parks). The value of proximity to a golf course is found to be greater than figures reported in previous studies. Proximity impacts extend beyond abutting properties and go as far as to those within almost a quarter of a mile. The value of properties proximate to parks is found to be significant and varies with park size and type. Parks classified as small and medium had positive impacts extending over a quarter of a mile with the small parks having the greatest impact on the value of properties.Land Economics/Use,

FARM LABOR DEMAND AND SUPPLY: A META-ANALYSIS OF WAGE ELASTICITIES

This study reviews previous research on labor supply and demand wage responsiveness. A meta-analysis of estimated demand wage elasticities was conducted to better understand any systematic factors that influence such estimates. Factors studied include short versus long run response, family versus hired labor, functional form, time span of the study.Labor and Human Capital,

SCHOOL QUALITY AND PROPERTY VALUES IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

This study estimates the impact of school quality on property values within the city limits of Greenville, South Carolina. This study differs from others in its use of a relative, rather than an absolute measure of school quality. We apply a hedonic pricing model to estimate the impact of K-12 rankings on the real constant-quality housing values. Based on 3,731 housing transactions carried out from 1994 to 2000, our results suggest that those who choose to live within the city limits of the study pay a premium to live in high quality school attendance areas. Therefore, high-ranked schools have values capitalized into single-family house prices. Further, greater distance to assigned K-12 schools has a negative impact on the value of the property.Land Economics/Use,