RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Overlooked Benefits of Nutrient Reductions in the Mississippi River Basin
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 589
OP 607
DO 10.3368/wple.96.4.589
VO 96
IS 4
A1 Parthum, Bryan
A1 Ando, Amy W.
YR 2020
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/96/4/589.abstract
AB Improvements in local surface water quality in the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) can contribute to the regional environmental goals of reducing hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. To inform estimates of the benefits of water quality policy, we use a choice experiment survey in a typical subwatershed of the MRB to estimate willingness to pay for local environmental improvements and helping to reduce hypoxia far downstream. We find that residents place large values on reduced local algal blooms, improved local fish populations and diversity, and meeting local commitments to help with the regional environmental problem. (JEL Q52, Q53)