Incorporating wildlife passive use values in collision mitigation benefit-cost calculations

Abstract

This document is a task report for a larger Wildlife Vehicle Collision (WVC) Reduction and Habitat Connectivity pooled fund study. It addresses the potential use of passive use economic values for wildlife to inform the mitigation of wildlife-vehicle collisions. Passive use, also known as non-use values, are the values individuals place on the existence of a given animal species or population as well as the bequest value of knowing that future generations will also benefit from preserving the species. This report provides a summary of the current literature of wildlife passive use value estimates and provides per-animal passive use values for selected species and populations. Additionally, an example of applying these values to a Montana road segment is outlined. Finally, a discussion of regional economic impacts of mitigation structure spending is outlined.