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                                                                                          DRAFT

To:  SEAHG Members

From:  L. D. Garrett, SEAHG Chair

Subject:  Draft SEAHG Proposal on Socioeconomic Research to TWG Mtg., 1/29/2014

Date:  1/22/2014

The following three socioeconomic projects are recommended to the Technical Work Group (TWG) by

the Socio‐Economic Ad Hoc Group (SEAHG) for consideration in the FY 2015/16 Biannual Work Plan and

budget.  The recommendation is in response to a request from the TWG and Budget Ad Hoc Group.  

The SEAHG has reviewed the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) approved list of Socio‐

Economic (SE) information needs. They have been contrasted against those information needs currently

being addressed by federal and state agencies, Tribes and other members of the Adaptive Management

Program (AMP).   The SEAHG has worked closely with the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research

Center (GCMRC) in development of the proposed projects.  All three projects were originally proposed

as important SE information needs and were approved by AMWG.  Although listed projects were never

specifically prioritized by the SEAHG or AMWG, two of the following projects were recommended for

completion in the first two years of the proposed five year program.  

The descriptions of the projects identify lead party for completion, proposed collaboration, summary of

methods, proposed period for completion, and approximate cost.  

Assessment of Direct Recreation Expenditures in the Colorado River Ecosystem (CRE).  This market

assessment project is proposed for completion by GCMRC in cooperation with SEAHG and the TWG. The

project proposal is supported by the GCMRC Chief and will be led by GCMRCs economist. GCMRC

proposes collaboration with the SEAHG and TWG in completion of the project. The assessment will

utilize consumer direct expenditures on recreation activities in the CRE. This will include fishing, boating,

hiking, camping, etc. activities.  It will not include assessment of recreation direct expenditures on Lake

Powell or Lake Mead.  The data will be gathered via survey instruments in final approval stages with the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  GCMRC will oversight data collection and complete all data

analysis and report writing.  The project is proposed for initiation in winter/summer 2014 and

completion in 2016. The approximate budget for the program is $240,000.  It is proposed by GCMRC

that the budget be taken from GCMRC 2013/14 carryover funds allocated to the SE program but not

expended.  No funds are proposed at this time from FY2015/16 budget allocations unless AMWG would

request expansion or significant changes in the proposed research.  

Evaluation of Decision Support Methods for the AMP.  This project is proposed for completion utilizing

the decision methods personal expertise of the GCMRC economist.  The AMP has over its existence

invested resources in science and assessment programs to utilize existing decision methodology and

develop methods specific to the problems it addresses. The SEAHG recommended and the AMWG
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approved a program to evaluate decision support methods that can incorporate economic parameters

and provide more rapid assessment capabilities in science and management program planning. The

GCMRC economist has both academic and work experience in development and use of analytical

methods to support planning decisions.  GCMRC has proposed to conduct this project in a collaborative

effort with the SEAHG and TWG to assure any methods developed are properly specified to respond to

specific needs of the AMP. Although specific methods have not been proposed, the effort would involve

evaluation of analytical tools that would best apply to the AMP environment when considering need for

collaboration, constraints on time of members and budgets,  complex biophysical/socioeconomic

interactions in resource issues, need for tradeoffs to gain resolves, etc.  The project is proposed for

initiation in 2015 and completion of first generation methods(s) in 2016. Funding for the project would

include support for the economist, travel, workshop(s), and possible contract work with other

specialists. A budget estimate is being developed by GCMRC.  

Conduct a Non‐Market Assessment Methods Workshop for the AMP.  The SEAHG identified the

information need for a workshop to better inform AMP members on the various attributes,

development methods and uses of market and non‐market economic values.  In part the workshop was

thought to be important for AMWG in guiding the development of socioeconomic analysis in the LTEMP

and EIS processes.  It is still determined by the SEAHG to have critical importance in science and

management project planning as well as guiding the most appropriate use of developed data and

analysis. The workshop would be a collaborative effort of the SEAHG and the GCMRC economist and

staff.  It is proposed to be a four hour workshop planned around a regular AMWG or TWG meeting to

accommodate all AMP members and other specialists associated with the AMP program. Three or more

contracted non‐market and market economists would present the program, with approximately half the

time devoted to presentations of principals and half to examples demonstrating appropriate

applications.  The workshop would be presented in early FY 2015 and is proposed to be a project for the

2015 budget.  The cost is estimated at $8‐$10,000.