"A day at the beach: priceless?" by Dr. Sabina Shaikh, Univ Chicago

["Shannon Briggs" <briggssl@michigan.gov>]

Dr. Sabina Shaikh from the University of Chicago will be giving a talk 
on Friday, February 24 as a part of the NOAA/ University of Michigan 
Great Lakes and Human Health Seminar Series.
Please find details of her talk listed below.

Speaker: Dr. Sabina Shaikh, University of Chicago
Title: "A day at the beach: priceless?"

Date: Friday, February 24
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
               2205 Commonwealth Blvd., Ann Arbor

Abstract:
Using the results from a survey of 1500 Chicago beach goers in the 
summer of 2004, this study provides information on beach use, including 
a description of visitors and their preferences for beach and lake front 
amenities.

An economic model of the demand for beach trips is used to calculate of 
the value of spending a day at the beach, the seasonal value for Chicago 
beaches, and the lost value associated with swim bans. Additionally, 
non-market valuation is employed to compute beach goers willingness to 
pay to reduce swim bans by 50 percent.

The estimated per-person value of a day at the beach is $35, which is 
higher than estimates for other beaches in the U.S. the value for a day 
at a Lake Erie beach. The total seasonal value for beach goers in 2004 
is just over $800 million, and over $1 billion in other years with 
higher attendance.

The lost value to individuals who would not visit the beach in the case 
of a swim ban totals over $17 million for the season, and is likely much 
higher since additional sources of lost value exist.

A comparison of valuation techniques shows the various sources of value 
for Chicago beaches, including use value from swimming, non-use value 
from knowing the beaches and water are clean, and the values associated 
with preserving the beaches for future generations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at 
kanika.suri@noaa.gov; or call 734-741-2147. Also, if you are interested 
in going out for lunch with Dr. Shaikh after her talk, please RSVP by 
Thursday, February 23.

For more information about the seminar series, please visit our website 
at http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/news/seminars/ 

****************************************************************************

Kanika Suri
Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH)
2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI
48105

734-741-2147


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