| Concerns about the loss of wetlands due to human activities have led to state and federal efforts to protect wetlands on both public and private property. In designing wetland protection programs, decisionmakers have to balance alternative program objectives, competing priorities, and limited resources. This thesis presents the results of a study on economic values related to programs for Great Lakes coastal wetlands conservation and restoration. A mail survey was administered to a random sample of Michigan residents and had a 40% response rate. The survey used the Attribute Based Referendum method, and asked respondents about coastal wetland conservation/restoration programs with attributes that varied across the sample. Program attributes included program focus or priorities, the percentage of mix between conservation and restoration involved, and alternative property acquisition mechanisms. Model estimates revealed that respondents significantly preferred coastal wetland programs focusing on providing: (i) water quality and flood control, (ii) biodiversity, and (iii) waterfowl habitat, more than other possible priorities (e.g. fish habitat, open space). Respondents also preferred programs that directed more effort at wetland preservation than wetland restoration. The data analysis revealed a lower bound willingness to pay (WTP) for the coastal wetland programs of {dollar}163/hhd which is roughly equivalent to a value of {dollar}20,500/acre of coastal wetland. These results indicate that some individuals positively value wetland protection programs and that they are willing to pay for such programs. |
