ecological-economic context

the region

Exceptional Value (EV) and High Quality (HQ) stream designations comprise the highest and most protective water quality uses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These stream designations can affect development through an antidegradation review for new discharges, and more stringent requirements for permitting. Unfettered development along waterways can lead to negative consequences for ecological and economic health in a region, and protections can provide economic and societal benefits in the form of improved water quality and supply, nutrient retention, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. 

Key Findings

In terms of ecosystem service value delivered from natural land cover in the riparian zone of Pocono Waters: 

• Natural buffers along designated streams provide more than $1.5 billion in global social benefit from carbon sequestration annually and $500 million in cost-savings to downstream water users in the form of improved nutrient retention

In a hedonic analysis of the relationship between property values and proximity to EV and  HQ designated streams, we find: 

• Residential and commercial land value increases for properties closer to an EV or HQ stream in relation to similar properties farther away
• Land value does not appear to be affected by the presence of an EV or HQ stream on the property itself, indicating designations can be viewed as a "mixed bag" by buyers
  

In a cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between county-level economic indicators of prosperity and county-level density of HQ and EV stream designation, we find: 

• There is a positive relationship between combined HQ and EV stream density and average measures of personal income, earnings, and employment 
• There is no statistical evidence found to support the claim that greater HQ and EV stream designations harm economic development prospects
  

Through a comparison of economic impact multipliers for the Poconos study region and a region with similar EV and HQ stream density characteristics, we find: 

• EV/HQ stream density measures do not limit economic growth (sales, earnings, and jobs) as measured by input-output modeling 

The study region includes Pocono Mountains counties drained by the Delaware River: Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Carbon, Northampton, and portions of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this seven-county region, EV designated streams retain 80-100% natural land cover in the riparian buffer zone.

Resources

• Final technical report
• Our Pocono Waters blog on the report release

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 “Regardless of whether you fish, boat or hike,
residents and tourists alike understand that the Poconos region is defined by its outstanding streams and rivers.
​Exceptional Value waterways enrich our quality of life and play a major role growing our local economy.”

-- Donna Kohut, Our Poconos Water Campaign Manager

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see also

Comment Review on Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Hidden Value of Standing Forests

Economic Risks of Wood Pellet Manufacturing