Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for Bull Trout Populations

Location: Coast Puget Sound

Summary: Cardno ENTRIX is conducting an economic analysis to address the costs associated with listing the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) as threatened, as well as the costs associated with designating critical habitat for three populations in Washington, Montana, and Nevada/Idaho. The study is intended to provide guidance as to the total and relative cost of designating areas as critical habitat. This study requires defining categories of effects, collecting data, and analyzing the retrospective and prospective costs.

Phase I of the study has involved obtaining GIS coverages and conducting analyses to assist in determining the economic effects on development, forestry, transportation, and other categories. A review draft, including fourteen maps, has been prepared. Phase II has encompassed writing a series of draft analyses and completing a draft report?now available to the public. In Phase III, responses to public comments will be completed and new information will be incorporated into a final report.