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Comparison of Wildlife Expenditures in Utah with Gross
<br />Measurements of Other Utah Industries
<br />The conclusion set forth in the report is that "expendi-
<br />tures for wildlife-associated recreation in Utah are sizable
<br />and comparable to gross measurements of other important
<br />industries in the state. From this standpoint, wildlife should
<br />not be ignored as an economic activity. Wildlife is more
<br />than a leisure activity; it is an economic resource."'
<br />(OMPARISON OF WILDLIFE EXPENDITURES IN UTAH WITH GROSS
<br />MEASUREMENTS OF OTHER UTAH INDUSTRIES
<br />INDUSTRY
<br />7
<br />
<br />S NIL.
<br />
<br />TPE OF NE113URE
<br />
<br />SOURCE
<br />C 301 Gross Sales Census of Agric.
<br /> 851 Grose Taxable
<br />Sales Utah State Tax
<br />Commission
<br /> 541 Grose Expenditures US Fish, Wild LLfe
<br />Survey
<br />Not els and
<br />Lodging 342 Gross Taxable
<br />Sales Utah State Tax
<br />Commission
<br />Lumber, Build-
<br />ing Materials 374 Grose Taxable
<br />Sales Utah State Tax
<br />Commles ion
<br />Oil 603 Production Value Utah Energy Office
<br />Skiing 500 Gross Expenditures Utah Ski Assoc.
<br />Predictions of Utah's Recreation Economy
<br />The comparisons of these industries and their contribu-
<br />tion to the economy of Utah provided a good "snapshot" of
<br />where the state had been without an instream-flow law.
<br />But "what can we expect in the future?" Two indepen-
<br />dent studies of the Utah recreation-based economy clearly
<br />demonstrate the rapid growth that is expected.
<br />In 1985, the Utah Department of Natural Resources
<br />prepared a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
<br />Plan (1985 SCORP). The report found that, in Utah,
<br />camping and fishing were the two most popular recreation
<br />activities. The comparison of favorite sports, both nationally
<br />and in Utah, demonstrated a preponderance of preference
<br />for water-related activities. Nationwide studies further
<br />predicted that the Southern Rocky Mountain Region
<br />(which includes Utah) will experience the largest percent-
<br />age of growth in participation over the next 10 years of all
<br />of the regions in the country, with water-based activities
<br />increasing 21 percent a
<br />In October, 1987, the Utah Travel Council published the
<br />Utah Tourism Study, which analyzed the tourist industry.
<br />During the 12-month period ending April, 1987, U.S.
<br />residents (exclusive of Utah residents) took 110.6 million
<br />person-trips to Utah of 100 miles or more. Overall, three-
<br />quarters of the trips to Utah were vacation trips and the
<br />visitors to Utah were more likely to be visiting for outdoor
<br />recreation purposes. Three-quarters indicated that Utah
<br />was their final destination. During this time period, non-
<br />residents spent more than $1.5 billion in Utah. Utah
<br />residents added another $500 million. These expenditures
<br />generated $425 million in wage and salary income and
<br />47,000 jobs.
<br />The report found that Utah enjoys the highest market
<br />penetration in the five-state region north of Utah (Washing-
<br />ton, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming) and con-
<br />cluded that Utah should target the markets that exist in the
<br />U.S. for camping, skiing, wWtewater rafting, hunting and
<br />fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities .9
<br />Conclusion
<br />The Task Force's purpose in examining these basic
<br />economic factors was to realistically evaluate issues con-
<br />cerning the potential benefits of instream flow as a legiti-
<br />mate water right. The Task Force, comprised of representa-
<br />tives of agriculture, municipalities, state and federal
<br />government, industry, and conservation and wildlife
<br />organizations reached unanimous agreement on the
<br />proposed bill. A certificated water right for instream-flow
<br />purposes is now a reality in Utah.
<br />Recreational use of water is clearly an economically
<br />beneficial use of the resource. In Utah, virtually all of the
<br />water resources are presently allocated. In other words,
<br />there is not presently any available excess water to be
<br />allocated to instream-flow purposes.
<br />The economic factors clearly demonstrate that more
<br />efficient management of water resources that would
<br />provide water for instream-flow use could provide eco-
<br />nomic stimulus to the Utah economy, while enhancing the
<br />quality of life for its citizens.
<br />1 The Recreation Use Capacity of the Green River Corridor below
<br />Flaming Gorge Dam, Institute for Human Ecology Final Report,
<br />April, 1991.
<br />2 Proceedings of the Western Regional Instream Flow Conference,
<br />October 20-21, 1989.
<br />3 U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2300.
<br />41990 Utah Agricultural Statistics, Utah Department of Agriculture
<br />Annual Report.
<br />5 Utah Minerals Yearbook - 1989, U.S. Department of the Interior,
<br />Bureau of Mines.
<br />6 U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics
<br />Service Census - 1990.
<br />7 Economic Analysis of Wildlife in Utah, Utah Office of Planning
<br />and Budget, February, 1991.
<br />81985 Utah SCORP, Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.
<br />9 The Utah Tourism Study, Utah Travel Council, October, 1987.
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