The water, natural resources, and ecosystems in the White Clay Creek watershed contribute an economic value of $165 million to $1 billion annually to the economies of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. This report examines that economic value in three different ways:
- Economic value directly related to the White Clay Creek watershed water resources and habitats. The White Clay Creek watershed contributes over $420 million in annual economic activity from water quality, water supply, fish/wildlife, recreation, agriculture, forests, and public parks benefits.
- Value of goods and services provided by White Clay Creek watershed ecosystems. Using natural capital as a measure of value, habitat in the White Clay Creek watershed provides $165 million annually in ecosystem goods and services in 2010 dollars, with a net present value (NPV) of $5.4 billion calculated over a 100-year period.
- Employment related to White Clay Creek watershed resources and habitats. Using employment as a measure of value, natural resources within the White Clay Creek watershed directly and indirectly supports over 25,000 jobs with over $1 billion in annual wages.
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