The political economy of dredging to offset sediment impacts on water quality in Ohio's state park lakes

Abstract

The primary goal of this analysis is to gain a better understanding of what factors are most critical in the decision-making process for allocation of dredging funds. A series of models were developed and analyzed to determine the relative weight of these factors. Explanatory variables included local political, infrastructure, and economic gains to lake users as well as physical-natural characteristics of the lakes and their respective communities. The secondary goal of this analysis is to estimate the net economic gains of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) dredging projects. A cost-benefit analysis was done to compare the costs of dredging to benefits of dredging for two lake user groups: lakeside property owners and non-resident boaters. These estimates were then forecasted in order to view the benefit stream over time.