LEN LICHVAR

DISTRICT MANAGER – SOMERSET CONSERVATION DISTRICT

CHAIRMAN – STONYCREEK - CONEMAUGH RIVER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER – PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT

COMMISSION

Importance of Outdoor Recreation on Economics

Water is essential to life, making its total economic

value immeasurable

Source: EPA

Water in all its uses should be recognized as an economic good.

It is the basic right of all human beings to have access to clean water and sanitation at an affordable price.

Failure to recognize the value of water has led to wasteful and environmentally damaging uses.

Managing water as an economic resource allows for efficient and equitable use, along with conservation and protection of water resources.

Cost of clean air and water based upon EPA regulations from October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2009.$26 to $29 Billion

Benefits of regulating air and water$82 to $533 Billion

Stonycreek River Watershed Economic Value

Fishing, white water rafting, and eco-tourism can exceed $21 million in revenue for Somerset County, if additional water resources were improved.

Property value increase estimated at 5% (Hansen et al. 2008)

Tourism could bring new investors and businesses to the area on top of the $21 million in recreation

The viability of the land would promote more restoration efforts within the watershed

Expenses for construction of AMD restoration sites would happen over a period of years.

Quemahoning Creek

• 98.5 square mile watershed• Angler Value $73,986.00 a mile –

PFBC• 8 miles restored value $591,888.00• Boating Value $900,000.00• Coldwater fishery• 364 acre, 92 billion gallon capacity

Quemahoning Reservoir acquired for pubic use

• Overall Economic Impact $1.5 Million per year

Quemahoning Reservoir Biking Trail

17 miles of mountain biking trials to be added at the reservoir by 2018 6 miles of trials to be completed by end of 2016

1ft wide beginner to intermediate with interwoven trails for experienced riders

The trail is being constructed by local contractors and volunteers

The trial is expected to exceed $600,000 a year in economic impacts in the area

Pollution and DiseaseThreaten Pennsylvania'sFishing Industry

Pollution and disease can cause a large impact on local watersheds economically

Disease, bacteria, and pollution can cause large amounts of fish to be killed

With fish dying less people are fishing causing these small local shops to fall on hard times

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission puts regulations in place to combat the fish kills Ex: Catch and Release of smallmouth bass in the

Susquehanna River began in 2012

Outdoor Recreation Economy

Pennsylvania $21.5 Billion in consumer spending 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs $7.2 Billion in wages and salaries $1.6 Billion in state and local tax revenue

Nationally $646 Billion in consumer spending 6.1 Million jobs $39.9 Billion in federal tax revenue $39.7 Billion in state and local tax revenue

Source: Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Recreation Economy

$1.5 Billion spent on hunting and fishing

25,000 jobs created

$3 Billion in wildlife and habitat conservation

Source: Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation

Outdoor Recreation Economy

23,678 jobs associated directly with fishing

28,041 jobs associated directly with hunting

Source: Response Management

Outdoor Recreation Economy

$19.85 a fish value for each stocked trout

3.2 million fish stocked by PFBC

1 million fish stocked by Co-Ops

$65.5 million in economic revenue from stocked trout in Pennsylvania

Source: Pennsylvania State University

Economic Benefits of Protecting Watersheds

According to the American Sportfishing Association there are more then 30 million anglers in the U.S.

$45 Billion is generated nationallySupports over 1 million jobs

More people in the United States fish (30 million) then play golf (24.2 million)

Economic Benefits of Protecting Watersheds

Source: EPA

Shotgun

$500

Hat & Vest$60

Jacket & Boots$200

Hunting Dog$600

Pheasant$12.50

Bike $2,000

Rods, Reels, & Line $1,500

Vest, Fly's, & Accessories $800

Rod, Reel, & Line $900

Waders, & Boots $350

Vest, Fly's, & Accessories

$500

Apparel & Accessories $150

Hat – No Cost, Gifted

Kayak & Paddle$1,100

Rods & Tackle$800

Life vest & Camera

$400

Apparel$200

Helmets & Accessorie

s $400

Bikes & Shoes$2,500

Tent$250

Sleeping Bags & Air Mattress

$500 Children's Toys & Water

Accessories$150

Folding Chairs$200

Canopy$100

Cooking & Camping

Accessories$500

$Price - I Don’t Even

Want to Know!

Fishing License Cost Reduction

$467,164.00 loss in revenue to PFBC

8,617 more anglers buy a license3.9 million spent on retail75 jobs with $2.4 million in wages$468,000 in state and local tax revenue

Reduction in license price is overwhelmingly positive for the state and its residents

Cost Avoidance in Conservation

Maintaining conservation of ecosystems is another way for communities to save money

Keeping a ecosystem in its natural state can help prevent major costs to tax payers in the future

Preventing the development of a flood plain allows a river to maintain its natural flow while preventing the high cost of damages from a flood event.

The Powers in Conserving Open Spaces

More then $37 million is saved by natural flood mitigation

Trees in open areas provide an estimated $17 million in air pollution removal

Southeastern Pennsylvania saves an estimated $61 million total from having protected open spaces

Cost of Open Spaces

How much would you pay for access to the countless free and low-cost recreational opportunities available through our region’s open spaces? $392.00 per year? That's how much each household in the SE region saves by having open spaces available for hiking, biking, and other recreational pursuits.This is money that families would have to pay out-of-pocket to enjoy these same activities if not for open spaces.

The Economics of Natural Resource Conservation

Take Home Message

Western Carolina University Economist, Dr. Steve Morse, documented and determined if it were not for tourism generated tax dollars each resident of Somerset County would pay $564 more in state and local taxes.

http://www.somersetcd.com/economics.html