Whats coming up UROP is due Oct 8
- Slides: 10
What’s coming up UROP is due Oct 8 If you are not submitting, you missed a great opportunity RFP again in March Outlines all arrived on time and writing is in progress … right? Mon-A panel on TMDLs & Today-Value of a wetland case mid-course correction Wed-A panel on the WFD Wed-Lori Han & One Fri-Peruvian salsa, why you Watershed care and a story about IWRM Fri-First Exam
Decisions: actions to retain the values we have chosen to support We began with values (Virginia, floodplains, American Rivers). Those are an expression of how we try to understand the priorities held by the stakeholders Of course, that requires we develop an expression of “the relevant stakeholders” (who [gets to] comes to the table) Our next step in water quality management is decisions (i. e. , selecting among competing interests to set a course of action)
The Value of a Wetland Today wetland drainage, valuation, project design • Wetlands are critical for water quality and habitat; we’re losing them • We are a market economy. • Failure to price means failure to value • We are (or at least want to be) logical and analytical, relying on data for informed decision making
Wetlands provide habitat, infiltration Drainage allows access to the land We can’t farm without access and can’t eat without farming
Typical Prairie Pothole landscape Trees are on bluffs around wetlands In a natural setting, wetlands are surrounded by rings of trees
Wetlandscape at peak of spring snowmelt. Note water storage potential Same kind of landscape with drainage; and very little water storage
You’ve all seen the video and read the material I’ll pose a question In a group of 3 -5 peers, think & talk We’ll discuss What are Angela’s goals? Who are the stakeholders to be influenced? How would you describe the project objectives and scope? What methods will (should) she use to achieve those goals? We are (she is) trying to describe wetland value economically. What gives it economic value?
Wetland value What will (should) she measure to express economic value? The project proposal requires environmental data. Where will she get those data? She needs to frame this as a proposal. What deliverables should she offer? Why would her employer allow her to do this project? What resources do you think she has to allow her to make those measurements?
Wetland policy The government, (assumedly) representing the will of the people has a wetland protection policy What do we measure to determine if the policy meets societal goals? If the goals are not met, do we change practices or policy? How do we tell when to do which? Is there a way we can test policy before we impose it? What would you guess is the value of a Minnesota wetland ($/ha, 15 year restoration)?
I can’t exactly answer the question (but Sue could) But here’s one estimate (of many) … intact floodplain US$167 per hectare the water US$43 per 1000 m 3 This contrasts with the value of the irrigation project, which was US$29 per hectare, and $0. 04 per 1000 m 3 for the water