Regional Economics and Development

Palo Verde Valley Economic Monitoring

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (2005-2009)

Monitored and analyzed economic data related to agricultural markets and economic conditions in farming communities of the Palo Verde Valley as part of Metropolitan’s PVID Forbearance and Fallowing Program and for Metropolitan’s evaluation of potential water supply and quality management programs along the Colorado River, the Colorado Aqueduct, and the California Aqueduct.

Regional Economic Impacts of Delta Land Use Conversion

Byron Buck & Associates (2008)

This analysis determined the level of increase in Delta recreation that would be required to offset any residual negative economic impacts from converting agricultural land in the Delta to restored habitat.  Net impacts accounted for the positive economic impacts associated with disposition of land sales revenue, expenditures for habitat restoration and maintenance, and annual expenditures for carbon sequestration.  The required level of increase in recreation visitor-days was then compared to a baseline forecast of Delta recreation visitor-days prepared by Plater and Wade (2002) for the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

Economic Impact to Solano County from Converting Agricultural Land to Wetlands Habitat

Solano County Water Agency (2008)

Evaluated economic impacts of converting actively farmed land in Solano County to wetland habitat in three different regions of the Delta.  Economic impacts were differentiated between first-order and second-order impacts.  First-order impacts included reductions in county economic activity and fiscal impacts caused by removal of land from agricultural production and commercial hunting.   They also included increases in county economic activity and fiscal impacts due to land conversion expenditures and annual maintenance of converted land. Second-order impacts included potential increases in wildlife viewing and other recreation activity on converted land; changes in local reclamation district operations and costs; changes in agricultural production costs on neighboring lands remaining in farming; and increased county services costs. Quantitative estimates of first-order economic impacts were developed. Second-order impacts were described qualitatively and, where data permitted, quantitatively.

Transforming Water: Water Efficiency as Stimulus and Long-term Investment

Alliance For Water Efficiency (2008)

Co-authored white paper quantitatively examining the short-term economic growth impacts of water/energy efficiency investments in terms of job creation, income, GDP, national output, water savings, and other benefits.  Development of the paper included modeling a wide range of water/energy efficiency program possibilities, across all water-using sectors and involving indoor, outdoor, and water system efficiencies.

Economic Impacts of Reduced CVP Water Deliveries to Westlands Water District

Byron Buck & Associates (2007)

Evaluated how reductions in 2008 CVP deliveries to Westlands could impact agricultural production and associated regional economic activity.  Used a San Joaquin Valley farm production model and data set developed for Phase I of the Delta Risk Management Strategy (DRMS) project.   Potential impacts were evaluated for a range of potential water supply cutbacks.

Socio-economic Impacts of Stationary Engine Air Regulations

San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Industries Association (2005)

Testified before the SJVUAPCD on a proposal to change Rule 4702 which would impose emission controls on existing agricultural pumps and other stationary engines.  A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted based on estimated pump populations and regional agricultural characteristics.  IMPLAN was used to estimate the regional economic impacts on incomes and jobs.

Glenn-Colusa Water Transfer Impact Analysis

Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (2004)

Evaluated the socio-economic impacts in Glenn and Colusa counties from a proposed water transfer from GCID to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC).  The study relied on the IMPLAN regional economic impact modeling framework.  It included a survey of both participants

Proposed Tribal Casino Impacts

Elk Valley Rancheria (2004)

Developed a socio-economic regional impact analysis for the casino proposed by the Elk Valley Rancheria in Del Norte County.  The analysis included accounting for local substitution effects on the economy and fiscal impacts on local government..

Third-Party Impacts of Land Fallowing Associated with IID-SDCWA Water Transfer

San Diego County Water Authority, Imperial Irrigation District (2004)

Member of a three-member independent economists panel charged with quantifying third-party economic impacts within Imperial County caused by agricultural land fallowing associated with the IID-SDCWA long-term water transfer.

Monterey Amendment EIR

California Department of Water Resources (2003)

Evaluated the potential growth inducing impacts from implementing the Monterey Amendment components.  This analysis relied on assessing how retail water rates might change under different scenarios, and then estimating the regional economic impacts from those changes.

Analysis of Economic Impacts of Proposed Land Retirement in Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District (2002)

Estimated regional socio-economic impacts associated with the proposed retirement of 200,000 irrigated acres in the Westlands Water District under proposed CALFED programs. Evaluated changes in agricultural production, input purchases and related business impacts, employment, demographic trends, local government finances, and income distribution. Reviewed economic transition assistance programs and proposed alternatives.

Impact of Long-term Water Transfer on Palo Verde Valley Regional Economy

Palo Verde Irrigation District (2001)

Estimated regional economic impacts to the City of Blythe and surrounding areas for a proposed 35-year land fallowing program between Metropolitan Water District and Palo Verde Irrigation District. Evaluated changes in crop production and input purchases; reinvestment in program signup and fallowing payments; changes in government tax receipts; and changes in local employment along with income distribution. Providing on-going monitoring of regional economy during transfer implementation.