Poconos Region Special Protection Streams Deliver $3 Billion In Economic Benefits

On August 16, the Our Pocono Waters Initiative released the first study to quantify the economic impact of the Poconos region’s protected streams.  It found nearly $3 billion in benefits for local businesses, property owners, and communities.

The report-- Economic Effects Of Special Protection Stream Designations in the Pocono Mountain Region--  looks at the relationship between the region’s high concentration of “Special Protection Streams” and various economic, social and ecological indicators. 

Without protections, many of the region’s waterways are vulnerable to the growing threats of expanding industrial and commercial land development. 

“The health of the local economy, communities, and the environment are all intertwined,” said Donna Kohut, Our Pocono Waters campaign manager. “Regardless of whether you fish, boat or hike, residents and tourists alike understand that the Poconos region is defined by its outstanding streams and rivers. Exceptional Value waterways enrich our quality of life and play a major role growing our local economy.”

Ecological benefits translate into real economic value--

-- Stream and riparian protections improve water quality, reducing stress on water treatment facilities. Nutrient retention services generate $553.5 million in annual value.

-- Watershed and forest buffers help to avoid potential damage from flooding and erosion. Avoided sediment control services represent $2.7 million in estimated savings per year.

-- Riparian buffers absorb enough carbon dioxide to collectively provide roughly $1.5 billion in carbon sequestration benefits per year.

-- Each acre of natural riparian land provides potential for wildlife viewing, pheasant hunting, and recreational fishing, among other activities. Avoiding the loss of any of these activities saves an estimated $14.3 million of recreational value each year.

In total, ecological services bring $2 billion in benefits to the region-- 

-- Carbon County: $178.9 million

-- Lackawanna County: $243.6 million

-- Luzerne County: $435.4 million

-- Monroe County: $331.2 million

-- Northampton County: $114.5 million

-- Pike County: $327.3 million 

-- Wayne County: $478.2 million

Stream protections boost the region’s outdoor recreation economy--

-- “Exceptional Value” or “High Quality” waterways, frequented by the region’s fishing, hunting, hiking, and water sports enthusiasts, could increase outdoor recreation spending by 2-8%, bringing in as much as $982 million in sales to the region per year. 

-- Potential increases in visitor spending on outdoor recreation could produce as many as 7,380 new jobs, resulting in up to $246 million in wage increases.

Properties located closer to Special Protection Streams are more desirable, valuable-- 

-- The study found both residential and commercial land is more valuable in areas closest to Special Protection Streams.

-- On average, landowners are willing to pay 2-3 percent more for properties closer to an Exceptional Value or High Quality stream.

Click Here for a copy of the report.

Waterways designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as “Exceptional Value” are the cleanest of all the Commonwealth’s streams, rivers, and lakes. Roughly 80 percent of these waterways are located in the Poconos. 

Many of these Special Protected Streams are valuable tributaries to the Delaware and Lehigh rivers.

“A century ago, the Lehigh River was used as a transportation tool for a booming industry. Today, it is the industry,” said Sierra Fogal, operations manager and co-owner of Jim Thorpe-based Pocono Whitewater and Skirmish. “Our rivers and streams are premiere tourist destinations, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists each year and providing outdoor recreation for a diverse audience.” 

“The riparian buffers along our township’s streams provide many ecological and economic benefits that are essential to the beauty and vibrancy of our community,” said Stroud Township Supervisor Ed Cramer. “Special Protection Streams are essential to filtering out pollutants, improving water quality, and  maintaining recreational trails.”

“Monroe County has the third highest sales of non-resident fishing licenses among Pennsylvania counties,” said Todd Burns, secretary of the Trout Unlimited – Brodhead Chapter. “Why is the sport so popular here? We have high-quality streams, cold and clear, teeming with insect life and wild and native trout.”

The considerable economic benefit of Special Protection Streams is recognized by many Poconos residents. 

A recent survey, conducted on behalf of Our Pocono Waters, revealed widespread support for “Exceptional Value” stream protections.

More than three quarters of Pocono residents have observed increases in commercial development in recent years, with two thirds expressing concern that greater development poses a negative impact on water quality for Pocono-area streams. 

Our Pocono Waters is a campaign that advocates for the continued protection of the clean, Exceptional Value streams of the Pocono Mountains region.

Related Articles:

-- Environmental, Watershed Groups Appeal Stormwater Permit For Proposed Swiftwater Solar Project In Monroe County  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Blog: What Is The Economic Value Of Protected Open Space In Pennsylvania?  By Jason Lenker, Intern, PA Parks & Forests Foundation  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 16, 2022]  PA Environment Digest