Costs and benefits of urban erosion and sediment control: The North Carolina experience |
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Authors: | Robert G Paterson Michael I Luger Raymond J Burby Edward J Kaiser H Rooney Malcom Alicia C Beard |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Community and Regional Planning, University of Texas, 78712-1160 Austin, Texas, USA;(2) Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, 27599-3140 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;(3) Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, 27599-3140 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;(4) Department of Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, 27695 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA |
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Abstract: | The EPA’s new nonpoint source pollution control requirements will soon institutionalize urban erosion and sediment pollution
control practices nationwide. The public and private sector costs and social benefits associated with North Carolina’s program
(one of the strongest programs in the country in terms of implementation authority, staffing levels, and comprehensiveness
of coverage) are examined to provide general policy guidance on questions relating to the likely burden the new best management
practices will have on the development industry, the likely costs and benefits of such a program, and the feasibility of running
a program on a cost recovery basis. We found that urban erosion and sediment control requirements were not particularly burdensome
to the development industry (adding about 4% on average to development costs). Public-sector program costs ranged between
$2.4 and $4.8 million in fiscal year 1989. Our contingent valuation survey suggests that urban households in North Carolina
are willing to pay somewhere between $7.1 and $14.2 million a year to maintain current levels of sediment pollution control.
Our benefit-cost analysis suggests that the overall ratio is likely to be positive, although a definitive figure is elusive.
Lastly, we found that several North Carolina localities have cost recovery fee systems that are at least partially self-financing.
This article is based on research by the authors for the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources
(DEHNR). The views are those of the research team and do not necessarily reflect the position of DEHNR. |
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Keywords: | Erosion Sedimentation Cost-benefit Sediment control Contingent valuation Water quality Water pollution |
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