Contributions of Watershed Modeling

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Neosho Headwaters WRAPS January 17, 2008
Contributions of Watershed Modeling and Economic
Analysis
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Current Situation

• Watersheds and their resources provide benefits
  to users
• Cost-share and incentive payments available for
  best management practices (BMPs)
• Not enough money for watershed protection and
  restoration
• Money, time, and effort should be directed toward
  highest-impact projects

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Modeling and Economics

• Can aid decision-makers by
• Analyzing the impact that watershed quality has
  on various economic segments of the watershed
• Estimating the benefits and costs of different
  BMPs at the producer/landowner level
• Identifying incentives available for BMP adoption
  (or the funding levels needed for adoption)
• Developing cost-effective watershed management
  plans biggest Bang for the Buck

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Recreation Impacts

• 2 categories
• Economic impact to the region from direct
  recreation expenditures and the indirect effects
  that occur as ripples
• Benefits to the recreation users that are not
  captured by the market ? Non-market Valuation
• How are/will these benefits be impacted by
  sedimentation, nutrients, and other?

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BMP Decisions

• Help stakeholders decide which BMPs will work for
  their operation based on the economic benefits
  and costs of each BMP.
• Accomplished through the development of BMP
  Decision-Making Tools
• KSU-VegetativeBuffer
• KSU-StreambankStabilization
• KSU-Tillage
• Under development
• KSU-HomeWastewaterTreatment
• KSU-WatershedEconomics

www.agmanager.info/policy/water
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Cost-Effective Plans

• Cost-effective economical in terms of tangible
  benefits produced by money spent Websters
  Dictionary
• In watershed terms
• Economical in terms of environmental benefits
  produced per dollar spent
• Challenge How can we get the biggest bang for
  the buck?

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Watershed Model Development
Collected Data Layers
Composite Characteristics
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Models determine priority areas at watershed scale
Potential annual average sediment yield
(normalized values)- Pomona Lake Watershed.
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Models determine pollution yield at field scale
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Best Management Practices

• Many options for reducing erosion, nutrient
  runoff, and other pollutants -- BMPs
• Determine environmental effects of BMP adoption
  -- Modeling
• Determine the economic effects of BMP adoption
  Economic Analysis
• Combine the two to determine comprehensive
  effects
• /ton of soil saved, /lb of phosporus reduction,
  etc.

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Cost-Effective Plans

• Compare scenarios based on costs and benefits
• Scenario 1 Random BMP implementation
• Scenario 2 Apply BMPs to highly erosive land
  throughout watershed
• Scenario 3 Determined by SLT

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Cost-effective Implementation

• Focus funds on high-priority areas and/or highly
  erosive land
• Establish a criteria to decide which BMPs to fund
  
• Work with SLT to develop other cost-effective
  approaches (i.e., BMP auctions, etc.)

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Conclusion

• Watershed Modeling and Economic Analysis can
  provide watershed stakeholders with valuable
  information as they make management decisions
  which ultimately affect the quality of life
  within and around the watershed