New Report: Economic and Social Values of Recreational Floating on the Niobrara National Scenic River

By Steven Shultz, Ph.D. | web site
Baright Professor of Real Estate and Land Use Economics
University of Nebraska-Omaha

The project was funded by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The intent of the study is to generate objective and accurate estimates of the social and economic values associated with recreational floating on the Niobrara National Scenic River (NNSR) so that the State of Nebraska can evaluate the merits of a instream appropriation application on the Niobrara River for recreation purposes. The study combines the results of prior recreation studies of the NNSR in conjunction with new surveys of Nebraskans statewide and of NNSR recreational floaters in 2007 and 2008 in order to:

1. Determine Nebraskans’ knowledge, use and perceptions of the Niobrara River.
2. Describe the historical and current characteristics of NNSR recreational floating activities.
3. Assess floaters’ perceptions of alternative NNSR flow levels.
4. Quantify the current (2008) economic value of floating recreation on the NNSR (direct expenditures, multiplier effects and travel costs).
5. Estimate both current and potential (future) economic losses associated with sub-optimal (low) flows on the NNSR.

Draft Report: May 31, 2009
Economic and Social Values of Recreational Floating on the Niobrara National Scenic River

Lincoln Journal Star article

The following article about the report appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star.

Study: Low flows on Niobrara could result in economic losses
By Algis J. Laukaitis
Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Jun 22, 2009