Recreation benefits from water pollution control

Abstract

A methodology for estimating direct recreational benefits from water pollution control was developed through a model of biological and behavioral relationships involved in sports angling. A biological production function was envisaged between inputs of angling effort and the output, or yield, of fish taken. The marginal product, angling success per unit of effort, was taken to represent the 'quality' of the recreational experience. Water pollution would cause deteriorations in dissolved oxygen, temperature, or toxicity characteristics of the water, thus shifting the production function downward and causing reductions in angling success, angling effort, and recreational value of the fishery. Demand equations and 'success-effort' elasticities were estimated for three estuarial sports fisheries, and the methodology was illustrated by means of an assumed reduction in angling success. The direct recreational benefits were identified as the consumer surplus that would result from the prevention of water pollution. (

Valuing Water Quality as a Function of Water Quality Measures

“…In these studies, the physical water quality indicators are found to significantly impact recreation demand, but because of the limited nature of the measures themselves, provide only a partial picture of value associated with possible water quality improvements. Other papers that have used one or more measures of water quality include von Haefen (2003), Atasoy, Palmquist and Phaneuf (2006), Phaneuf (2002), Kaoru, Smith, and Liu (1995), Ribaudo and Piper (1991), Russell and Vaughan (1982), and Stevens (1966).…”

Non‐market valuation in New Zealand: An empirical analysis of vehicle bias∗

“…Modifications to the approach over the years have included the use of a quality index (Stevens, 1966), incorporation of substitute sites in both a seemingly unrelated regression model (Burt and Brewer, 1971) and a single equation model (Gum and Martin, 1975) and the travel-time debate (Wilman, 1980). Additionally, the number of zones, varying between individual and highly aggregated has been argued and the correct functional form of the regression model discussed by Strong (1983).…”

Environmental Costing for Agriculture: Will It Be Standard Fare in the Farm Bill of 2000?

“…patterns of locational decisions (especially housing purchases) might reveal their marginal values. Stevens (1966) hypothesized that a lake's water quality would only be a concern to those who used the lake.…”