The water, natural resources, and ecosystems in the Red Clay Creek watershed contribute an economic value of $84 to $425 million annually to the Pennsylvania and Delaware economies. This report examines that economic value in three different ways:
1. Economic value directly related to Red Clay Creek watershed water resources and habitats. The Red Clay Creek watershed contributes over $148 million in annual economic activity from water quality, water supply, fish/wildlife, recreation, agriculture, forests, and public parks benefits.
2. Value of goods and services provided by Red Clay Creek watershed ecosystems. Using natural capital as a measure of value, habitat in the Red Clay Creek watershed provide $84.3 million annually in ecosystem goods and services in 2010 dollars, with a net present value (NPV) of $2.7 billion calculated over a 100-year period.
3. Employment related to Red Clay Creek watershed resources and habitats. Using employment as a measure of value, natural resources within the Red Clay Creek watershed directly and indirectly supports over 9,000 jobs with over $425 million in annual wages.
Related Resources