Acid Rain - Adirondacks
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The Effects of Acid Rain in the Adirondacks

 

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Introduction

Market Failures

Conjoint Analysis

 

Introduction

The Adirondacks is a mountainous region of upper New York State with vast areas of forests, wildlife, lakes, and is also the location of some New York City’s reservoirs. There have been recent concerns about the emissions released from midwestern industries and utilities that are being carried to the Adirondacks region via wind patterns. These pollutants carried into the region cause acid rain to develop which has affected the mountain areas of the region. There are deep concerns about the long-term effects of acid rain on the region’s wildlife and lakes. It has been reported that the high elevations of the Adirondacks are beginning to show signs of irreversible destruction, especially in terms of the inability of lakes to support life. Although government regulations have implemented emissions reduction programs within the last decade, reports show that there have been no improvements in the water quality in the mountains. It is estimated that about 25% of the region’s lakes and ponds have become too acidic to support life and if further reductions in emissions do not occur then about 50% of the lakes and ponds will be affected in an estimated 40 years.

Market Failures

Mid-West by fossil fuel burning plants release large amount of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere.
These chemicals react in the air and form acid rain.
Externalities characterize this market failure.
Mid-west power plants do not have to internalize the cost of acid-rain since the effects are several hundred miles down wind.

The costs and externalities of acid rain
58 percent of Adirondack streams are too acidic for game fish.
Acidity of lakes and rivers continue to rise. By 2040 the EPA projects that half of the Adirondacks’ 2,800 lakes and ponds won’t be able to sustain life.
The Adirondacks is declining in popularity with fishermen.
Rain in the Adirondacks has an acidity of pH 4.5. Trout die at pH 6 and lower. Pike die at pH 5 and below.
Streams and ponds are often crystal clear since they are essentially sterile.

Conjoint Analysis

Respondents are asked to rank the following scenarios. Essentially, these will vary among questionnaires because they are randomly generated combinations of attributes.
Status quo
25% improvement in aquatic populations, $.02 gas tax, stocking certain fish species, permutation of other attributes
25% improvement in forest populations, 25% improvement in aquatic populations, $.05 gas tax, planting forests and stocking certain fish species, alternative transportation, permutation of other attributes
50% improvement in aquatic populations, $.05 gas tax, water treatment and stocking certain fish species, permutation of other attributes
50% improvement in forest populations, 25% improvement in aquatic populations, $.05 gas tax, planting forests and logging prohibition, alternative transportation, permutation of other attributes
50% improvement in forest populations, 75% improvement in aquatic populations, $.10 gas tax, planting forests, water treatment and stocking all fish species, permutation of other attributes

After ranking the scenarios, respondents are asked to answer the following questions. The goal here is to obtain information about variables that may influence respondents’ answers.
Into what range does the respondent’s income fall?

-Individuals with higher incomes often manifest a higher willingness to pay.

What is the respondent’s level of education?

-The extent to which the respondent is informed about the pertinent issues influences his or her responses.

How close does the respondent live to the Adirondack Park? For how long has the respondent lived within this vicinity?

-Generally, individuals who live closer to the park would be more concerned with the conditions therein.

Compared to other concerns (such as increased unemployment for those in the electric utilities, lumber, and fishing industries), how important is the health of the aquatic and forest systems in the Adirondack Park?

-This question should remind the respondent that there are nonmonetary costs associated with an abatement policy in order to avoid overly idealistic answers.

How often does the respondent use the park for hiking, fishing, swimming, or other recreational uses?

-Individuals who use the park resources frequently will probably be more concerned with the conditions of it as compared to those who do not visit it.

On average, how many miles per week does the respondent drive?

-Those who drive more will be more likely to resist the proposition of a gas tax. They will also be less likely to undertake voluntary driving reductions.

 

Policy Options

Reorganize transferable permit system -- affix expiration dates to permits so that they cannot be banked.
Encourage fuel-efficiency for cars and light trucks so reduce toxic emissions.
Generate public awareness so that the public knows the consequences of their actions.