The Value of River Protection in Vermont Papers included in Watershed 96 proceedings reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent official positions of the Environmental Protection Agency. These resources are relatively undeveloped, accessible, and of good quality. However, the state's waters have had a history of abuse ranging from dams and diversions to shoreline erosion from poor land-use practices. In many cases, these abuses continue, further degrading our waters. The constant pressure throughout the state to divert public water for private uses, coupled with an increase in public demand for water-based recreation, has increased the competition for Vermont's waters1.
Greater competition intensifies decisions about how to best allocate resources across all demands.
The purpose of this study is to help guide public decisions on how to best manage water resources by focusing on the economic values associated with nonconsumptive use2. To answer these questions, the National Wildlife Federation and the University of Vermont teamed up to develop a two-part project. Part One focused on water-dependent businesses by investigating the magnitude of economic activity from such businesses and the importance of clean water to business stability and future growth. The White River was selected for this study because it is known for its clean water and scenic beauty. Both parts of this study relied on surveys.