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<br />001115 <br /> <br />agricultural lands were affected because of large scale acquisition for <br /> <br /> <br />the National River. Higher taxes were placed on farmers to compensate <br /> <br /> <br />for lost tax revenue. <br /> <br />- INCREASED TOURISM REVENUE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS ... <br /> <br />While local officials were outspoken on the issues of increased burden <br /> <br />on local services, etc. there were few ,who commented on any economic <br /> <br />benefits of designation. Some officials noted an overall increase in <br /> <br /> <br />seasonal employment and service industry income, but for the most part <br /> <br /> <br />economic benefits were not as apparent to them as the problems. Federal <br /> <br /> <br />and State officials believe that there are substantial economic benefits <br /> <br />, , <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />to the increase in visitation. They noted that these should offset lost <br /> <br /> <br />tax revenues due to land acquisition for the National River. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />- INCREASED RECREATION USE OF THE RIVER ... <br /> <br />Many of the issues noted above revolve around the question of increased <br /> <br /> <br />use as a result of designation. Use of the St. Croix increased markedly <br /> <br /> <br />following designation. Whether the increase was due to the designation <br /> <br /> <br />is a subject of debate. Local people tended to see the designation as <br /> <br /> <br />the main influence. River managing agencies believe that use of the <br /> <br /> <br />river would have increased anyway and that the designation merely speeded <br /> <br /> <br />up the process. Both groups however agree that there was a small but <br /> <br /> <br />noticeable rise in visitation rates immediately following designation <br /> <br /> <br />which was a direct result of the designation. <br /> <br />-12- <br />