A contingent valuation study of the value of reducing fire hazards to old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest

John B. Loomis; Armando González-Cabán; Robin Gregory

doi:10.2737/PSW-RP-229

Treesearch

A contingent valuation study of the value of reducing fire hazards to old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John B. Loomis, Armando González-Cabán, Robin Gregory

Year:

1996

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-RP-229

Source:

Res. Paper PSW-RP-229. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 24 p

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Download (PDF 899 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/28584.pdf

Abstract

A contingent valuation methodology was applied to old-growth forests and critical habitat units for the Northern Spotted Owl in Oregon to estimate the economic value to the public in knowing that rare and unique ecosystems will be protected from fire for current and future generations. Generalizing to the whole state, the total annual willingness-to-pay of Oregon residents ranges from $49.6 to $99 million. In terms of old-growth forests protected from fire, the value is $28 per acre.

Keywords

contingent valuation, fire economics, NOAA, nonmarket resources, oldgrowth valuation, willingness-to-pay

Citation

Loomis, John B.; González-Cabán, Armando; Gregory, Robin. 1996. A contingent valuation study of the value of reducing fire hazards to old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. Res. Paper PSW-RP-229. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 24 p