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Economic Benefits of Watershed Protection

Travis Warziniack, Ph.D.Rocky Mountain Research StationU.S. Forest Servicetwwarziniack@fs.fed.us

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The value to whom?

Forests to Faucets

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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