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19 <br />majority when the whooping cranes and sandhill cranes are present (Peggy Mitchusson, <br />pers. comm.). The refuge and Socorro Chamber of Commerce also sponsor a fall "Festival <br />of the Cranes" to promote tourism. The presence of migrating whooping cranes has also <br />heightened interest in the crane migration at Alamosa /Monte Vista NWR in Colorado. <br />Approximately 10,000 people visit the refuge during the peak migration periods, many of <br />these during the spring Monte Vista Crane Festival. This 4-day festival is estimated to <br />generate about $10,000 per day in revenue to the local economies (Ann Morekill, pers. <br />comm.). In Baraboo, Wisconsin, 30,000 people pay an entry fee of $3.75 to visit the <br />International Crane Foundation each year where subadult whooping cranes are among the <br />crane species on display. <br />The total value for most endangered species is intangible and difficult to quantify; however, <br />in recent years economists have developed methods to attempt to approximate the value of <br />nonmarket resources, such as endangered species. These methods measure: (1) the value <br />people place on seeing an endangered species (use value); (2) the value they place on <br />continued existence of the species for potential future observation value (option value); and <br />(3) the value of simply knowing the species exists (existence value) (Randall and Stoll <br />1983). One method of estimating these values, the contingent valuation method, asks <br />individuals to express their willingness to pay for nonmarket goods (Stoll 1983). Individuals <br />are asked to estimate their willingness to pay for observing (use value) or preserving (option <br />and existence value) the species. <br />Contingent valuation methodologies have been used to estimate the value of whooping <br />cranes. In written surveys distributed in 1982 -83 at Aransas NWR, refuge visitors indicated <br />willingness to pay an average of $4.47 for an annual permit to visit the refuge and an <br />average of $ 16.33 per year to support a private foundation which would be responsible for <br />conservation of whooping cranes. A mail survey to four metropolitan areas outside of <br />Texas indicated that respondents were willing to contribute an average of $7.13 per year to <br />the same hypothetical fou n datio n. Allowing for sampling error and non-response bias, the <br />total value of the whooping crane to United States' residents appears to range between one <br />half billion to one and one half billion dollars per year (Stoll and Johnson 1984). <br />Three conclusions can be drawn from this evidence of the economic value of whooping <br />cranes. First, local economies can realize significant economic benefit from the presence of <br />an endangered species; these localities need assistance in identifying and capturing these <br />economic benefits. Second, values for endangered species appear to be directly associated <br />with the public's knowledge and awareness of the species. Value for the whooping crane <br />derives not only from its aesthetic qualities and rarity, but probably more directly with its <br />identity as a symbol of the effort to save species from extinction. This value would not <br />have been realized without extensive education efforts. Finally, increasing demands for use <br />of this endangered species, which brings economic benefits, have raised concerns about the <br />effects of these appreciative uses upon the well -being of the species. The issue of <br />disturbance management is discussed elsewhere in this Plan. <br />G. General Conservation Measures <br />Before the mid 1950's, four significant events helped protect whooping cranes. The single <br />most significant piece of protective legislation for whooping cranes was the Migratory Bird <br />