Daniel D. Huppert

REFERENDUM CONTINGENT VALUATION ESTIMATES : SENSITIVITY TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF OFFERED VALUES

Abstract Contingent valuation methods (CVM) are becoming increasingly popular for assessing the value of nonmarket resources and public goods. In particular, CVM “willingness to pay” estimates are gaining currency for the assessment of damages in environmental litigation. Several studies have compared the value estimates resulting from alternative formats used for CVM survey questions and have speculated on the reasons for observed discrepancies. These reasons now include a whole taxonomy of possible biases. We take a closer look at one CVM format—the referendum—and demonstrate that simply the “luck of the draw” in assigning the referendum thresholds on individual questionnaires can produce a surprisingly wide variety of value estimates. We control for the behavioral biases that confound other comparison studies by using one sample of “payment card” CV data and simulating 200 samples of consistent referendum responses. Due to the inefficiency of the referendum format, we conclude that, where referendum qu...

An Overview of Fishing Rights

Coastal state management of marine harvests within 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones was a new and innovative process during the period from the late 1970s through the 1980s. The spread of conservation-focused harvest management was a key step in the evolution of fishing rights, followed in some nations by a second step of creating more exclusive, individual or group fishing rights. The three main forms of more exclusive fishing rights – limited entry permits, individual fishing quotas (IFQs), and local community-based or co-operative harvesting – vary widely in content and detail. But, when successful, they all increase the economic efficiency of fisheries, and they reshape the economic and political landscape of fisheries. All three types, but particularly IFQs, may initiate radical changes in the economic organization of the fishery, ultimately changing who fishes, where and when they fish, the products sold, the balance of power among industry sectors, incentives to support conservation, the size of incomes from fishing, and the location of shore-side economic activity. Changes of this sort are bound to provoke controversy. The controversies over fishing rights take three forms: disagreements over the meaning and intent of fishing rights, disputes over the distribution of rights and associated economic gain, and concern for disruptions imposed on people who are dependent on the “old order”. This paper provides a short review of the underlying concepts, rights systems, and current controversies concerning fishing rights.

Willingness to Pay for Local Coho Salmon Enhancement in Coastal Communities

Salmon restoration and enhancement are dominant environmental policy issues in Oregon and Washington. In response to salmon species listings under the Endangered Species Act, salmon protection and recovery actions are being implemented throughout the Pacific Northwest at substantial opportunity costs. In this paper, we examine the willingness to pay (WTP) of coastal residents for local coho salmon enhancement programs. A contingent valuation study is completed using survey responses from five rural, coastal communities of Oregon and Washington, where coho salmon are prevalent. Our empirical results indicate that coastal residents are willing to pay for local coho salmon enhancement and that WTP varies considerably with individual opinions of the merit of the enhancement program.

Interactions between human communities and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest: Trends and implications for management

This paper explores social, and economic aspects of coastal communities crucial to the management of estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These aspects include the changing demographics and economies of coastal communities, and the public perceptions, attitudes, and values pertaining to estuarine ecosystems. Information from Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor in Washington and Tillamook, Yaquina, and Coos Bays in Oregon shows that the coastal communities are growing more slowly than the states overall., that the populations are relatively old, and that, although the local economies continue to rely on them, the extractive natural resource industries (fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, forest products) are declining in importance relative to tourism, recreation, and retirement industries. These trends suggest that human uses of the estuaries are changing in character, and altering the management problems. Coastal residents choose to live in these communities to enjoy the views and scenery, to experience rural living, to be near the ocean, and to recreate outdoors. People express coherent perceptions of risks to the estuaries, especially the threats of declining fish habitats, oil spills, shoreline development, invasive species, and logging in upland areas> Residential land values are enhanced by the presence of wetlands and forests and are diminished by the presence of hazardous waste sites. We conclude that, if recent trends in population age structure, income sources, and employment status continue, public attitudes and values will move towards stronger environmental protection. Because ecosystem management involves local public participation and collaboration, estuarine managers will be faced with both increased demands and opportunities.

Dungeness Crab Mortality Due to Lost Traps and a Cost–Benefit Analysis of Trap Removal in Washington State Waters of the Salish Sea

Abstract Loss of Dungeness crabs Cancer magister in derelict crab traps was estimated from catches and mortality in 24 simulated lost traps at two locations in Washington State. Equal numbers of recreational and commercial crab traps were initially baited and monitored weekly by divers until the bait was consumed and were monitored biweekly thereafter for 1 year. Dungeness crabs caught in the traps were individually tagged. Catch, escapement, retained catch, and mortality rates were estimated. The traps caught 1,077 Dungeness crabs, of which 500 (46%) died and 421 (39%) escaped. Mortality of sublegal males and females was expressed in legal male equivalents. The overall retained catch of Dungeness crabs (caught minus escaped) was 0.082 crabs·trap−1·d−1. After an initial lag, the cumulative daily mortality rate of Dungeness crabs rose steadily to 0.058 crabs·trap−1·d−1. An estimated 12,193 traps are lost annually in Washington waters of the Salish Sea, and the estimated trap fishing duration was 126 d for ...

Impacts of climate change on the coasts of Washington State

Climate change on the Washington coast will trigger significant physical and chemical stressors: (a) inundation of low-lying areas by high tides as sea level rises; (b) flooding of coasts during major storm events, especially near river mouths; (c) accelerated erosion of coastal bluffs; (d) shifting of beach profiles, moving the position of the Mean High Water line landward; (e) saltwater intrusion into coastal freshwater aquifers; and (f) increased ocean temperature and acidity. Similar forces will be working everywhere, but shore areas will respond differently depending upon substrate (sand versus bedrock), slope (shallow versus steep cliffs), and the surrounding conditions (exposed versus sheltered from storms). We expect substantial impacts on coastal systems from bluff erosion, shifting beach berms, shoreline armoring, and inundation of coastal lands. Further, increased ocean temperatures and acidity will negatively impact shellfish aquaculture. As beaches adjust to sea level rise, coastal property lines and intertidal aquaculture leases will need to be carefully defined through modified property laws. We anticipate relatively minor impacts on coastal freshwater aquifers. Additional research is needed to develop a more comprehensive assessment of climate impacts on all coastal features in the state. 1 School of Marine Affairs College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 8: Coasts CHAPTER 8: Coasts 285