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Economic efficiency and cost implications of habitat conservation: An example in the context of the Edwards Aquifer region
Author(s) -
Gillig Dhazn,
McCarl Bruce A.,
Jones Lonnie L.,
Boadu Frederick
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2003wr002749
Subject(s) - habitat , aquifer , context (archaeology) , endangered species , groundwater , environmental science , water resource management , water conservation , water resources , environmental resource management , geography , environmental planning , ecology , engineering , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , biology
Groundwater management in the Edwards Aquifer in Texas is in the process of moving away from a traditional right of capture economic regime toward a more environmentally sensitive scheme designed to preserve endangered species habitats. This study explores economic and environmental implications of proposed groundwater management and water development strategies under a proposed regional Habitat Conservation Plan. Results show that enhancing the habitat by augmenting water flow costs $109–1427 per acre‐foot and that regional water development would be accelerated by the more extreme possibilities under the Habitat Conservation Plan. The findings also indicate that a water market would improve regional welfare and lower water development but worsen environmental attributes.