Quantifying the Economic Benefits of Stream Restoration

Austin Byers
Stantec
Baltimore, MD

Liya Abera
Stantec
Raleigh NC

Authors: Austin Byers, CERP and Liya Abera EIT

Streams and their adjacent wetlands are highly valued ecosystems that are of significant importance for water quality, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services. In this presentation, we investigate the social, economic, and environmental benefits of stream restoration by performing a cost-benefit analysis of stream restoration in both the urban and rural context. To quantify the overall value of a given stream restoration project, a list of potential benefits were identified from previous stream restoration projects and studies for typical stream restoration actions, such as bank stabilization, floodplain reconnection, and infrastructure protection. Then, the identified benefits related to short- and long-term economic values were estimated and quantified. Although costs are often a primary decision factor in the selection of restoration actions, benefits are often underemphasized. This presentation will cover how you can incorporate restoration actions' short- and long-term benefits (value) to inform decision-making.

About Austin Byers
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About Liya Abera
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