A travel cost recreation demand model examining the economic benefits of acid mine drainage remediation to trout anglers

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global environmental problem which has well-documented effects on the physical, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics of waterways. Less well examined are the economic benefits generated by costly AMD remediation efforts. This research examines trout angler willingness-to-pay (WTP) to maintain fisheries quality benefits resulting from AMD remediation on the North Branch of the Potomac River (NBPR), Maryland. The NBPR has a history of severe AMD-related degradation previously rendering the waterbody unsuitable for many outdoor recreational activities such as trout fishing. However, extensive NBPR AMD remediation activities including nine automated limestone dosers that neutralize acidic water and improve water quality have been critical to developing and maintaining a high quality recreational trout fishery with hatchery-raised stocked trout and naturally reproducing populations of wild trout. To examine trout angler WTP to maintain current NBPR trout fishing quality and hence avoid plausible fishing quality reductions associated with the elimination of nine NBPR limestone dosers, a travel cost recreation demand model of trout angler fishing site choice was developed using data from a survey of Maryland non-tidal anglers. Model results reveal that annual Maryland trout angler WTP to maintain current NBPR trout stocking levels and wild trout abundance, relative to the elimination of the NBPR as a trout fishing site, is about $850,000. These economic benefits to a single stakeholder group - Maryland trout anglers - exceeds the total estimated $340,000 in annual operations and maintenance costs associated with all Maryland limestone dosers. While the positive net economic benefits produced by limestone dosers provide a justification for continuing annual limestone doser expenditures, it's important to note that total economic benefits are likely much higher, as many non-trout fishing benefits remain unaccounted for in this analysis. The approach in this manuscript can serve as a model for practitioners regarding the use of fisheries data and recreational fisher site choice to estimate fishing-related economic benefits from past or for future AMD remediation activities. Given anticipated substantial investments in AMD remediation, additional research in this area is much needed to evaluate past and guide future remediation activities.