A comparison of alternative strategies for cost-effective water quality management in lakes.
Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.
Kramer
Daniel Boyd
DB
James Madison College and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, Case Hall, East Lansing, 48825-1205, USA. dbk@msu.edu
Polasky
Stephen
S
Starfield
Anthony
A
Palik
Brian
B
Westphal
Lynne
L
Snyder
Stephanie
S
Jakes
Pamela
P
Hudson
Rachel
R
Gustafson
Eric
E
D000383:Agriculture; D002021:Buffers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics*; D005068:Eutrophication; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011786:Quality Control; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002021:Buffers; D010758:Phosphorus