Estuary systems are economic assets, says WRA Director Gerald Kauffman, who studies water science and policy research and holds secondary appointments in the School of Public Policy and Administration and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
If we can improve the environment, he says, we can also have spin-off effects on economic redevelopment.
While environmentalists have long touted the benefits of preserving
estuaries, wetlands and other fragile environments, Kauffmans research
provides an economic incentive for their restoration.
The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2011, to be introduced
next month by U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), would authorize federal
funding for the Delaware Estuary.
Its a cost-effective investment, says Kauffman. Its worth it for
the public and private sector to invest in these watersheds because it
will pay off in economic impact and jobs.
The Delaware Estuary has a long economic and ecological
historycompanies across the mid-Atlantic region, from DuPont to the
Salem Nuclear Power Plant, depend on its waters to sustain their
business. Still, there has been scant research on its economic impact.
Studies from two decades ago estimated the estuary to be worth hundreds
of millions, perhaps billions.
By putting an economic value on ecology, we can show that the
natural resources of the Delaware Estuary provide real and significant
economic benefits to the tri-state region, says Kauffman. Whats more,
we can show theyre worthy of investment to keep them healthy and
productive.
Kauffman is project director for the Water Resources Agency, which
provides water resources planning and policy assistance to local
governments. The WRA is located within the School of Public Policy
Administrations Institute for Public Administration.
His research team includes associate policy scientist Andrew Homsey and
public policy graduate students Sarah Chatterson, Stacey Mack and Erin
McVey.
Their work was commissioned by the Partnership for the Delaware
Estuary, one of just 28 tidal systems named by Congress to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agencys National Estuary Program, and their
findings are detailed in an online report, Economic Value of the Delaware Estuary Watershed.
Kauffman will also present their research at a press conference on
Friday, June 3, from noon-2 p.m., on the banks of the Christina River in
Wilmington. Hosted by Carpers office, the event will promote the
senators new bill and include remarks from the governors office,
environmental leaders and others.
Article by Artika Rangan
Photos by Lisa Tossey and Evan Krape
Originally published by UDaily.