The Effect of Protected Federal Lands on Economic Prosperity in the Non-metropolitan West

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine whether protected federal lands in the non- metropolitan U.S. West are associated with increased or decreased economic performance. A subset of federal lands managed by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Fish and Wildlife Service was considered protected and primari- ly managed for conservation. Generalized estimating equations were used to regress ten eco- nomic measures on protected land area while accounting for various confounding factors in- cluding presence of other natural amenities and degree of access to markets. Three economic measures were positively associated with protected public lands: per capita income (2010), growth in per capita income (1990-2010), and growth in per capita investment income (1990- 2010). The study finds that, on average, counties with national parks, wilderness, and other forms of protected public lands benefit through increased economic performance.