WSP05055

• File Number: 8460.500
• Description: Platte River Recovery Plan
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 2/11/1994
• Author: USFWS
• Title: Whooping Crane Recovery Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

"._~,,-

19

majority when the whooping cranes and sandhill cranes are present (Peggy Mitchusson,
pers. comm.). The refuge and Socorro Chamber of Commerce also sponsor a fall "Festival
of the Cranes" to promote tourism. The presence of migrating whooping cranes has also
heightened interest in the crane migration at Alamosa/Monte Vista NWR in Colorado.
Approximately 10,000 people visit the refuge during the peak migration periods, many of
these during the spring Monte Vista Crane Festival. This 4-day festival is estimated to
generate about $10,000 per day in revenue to the local economies (Ann Morekill, pers.
comm.). In Baraboo, Wisconsin, 30,000 people pay an entry fee of $3.75 to visit the
International Crane Foundation each year where subadult whooping cranes are among the
crene species on display,

The total value for most endangered species is intangible and difficult to quantify; however,
in recent years economists have developed methods to attempt to approximate the value of
nonmarket resources, such as endangered species, These methods measure: (1) the value
people place on seeing an endangered species (use value); (2) the value they place on
continued existence of the species for potential future observation value (option value); and
(3) the value of simply knowing the species exists (existence value) (Randall and Stoll
1983), One method of estimating these values, the contingent valuation method, asks
individuals to express their willingness to pay for nonmarket goods (Stoll 1983). Individuals
are asked to estimate their willingness to pay for observing (use value) or preserving (option
and existence value) the species.

Contingent valuation methodologies have been used to estimate the value of whooping
cranes. In written surveys distributed in 1982-83 at Aransas NWR, refuge visitors indicated
willingness to pay an average of $4.47 for an annual permit to visit the refuge and an
average of $16.33 per year to support a private foundation which would be responsible for
conservation of whooping cranes. A mail survey to four metropolitan areas outside of
Texas indicated that respondents were willing to contribute an average of $ 7.13 per year to
the same hypothetical foundation, Allowing for sampling error and non-response bias, the
total value of the whooping crane to United States' residents appears to range between one
half billion to one and one half billion dollars per year (Stoll and Johnson 1984).

Three conclusions can be drawn from this evidence of the economic value of whooping
cranes, First, local'economies can realize significant economic benefit from the presence of
an endangered species; these localities need assistance in identifying and capturing these
economic benefits. Second, values for endangered species appear to be directly associated
with the public's knowledge and awareness of the species. Value for the whooping crane
derives not only from its aesthetic qualities and rarity, but probably more directly with its
identity as a symbol of the effort to save species from extinction. This value would not
have been realized without extensive education efforts, Finally, increasing demands for use
of this endangered species, which brings economic benefits, have raised concerns about the
effects of these appreciative uses upon the well-being of the species. The issue of
disturbance management is discussed elsewhere in this Plan.

G, General Conservation Measures

Before the mid 1950's, four significant events helped protect whooping cranes. The single
most significant piece of protective legislation for whooping cranes was the Migratory Bird