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A Comparison of Alternative Strategies for Cost-Effective Water Quality Management in Lakes

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An Erratum to this article was published on 25 July 2006

Abstract

Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. James Madison College and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, Case Hall, East Lansing, Michigan, 48825-1205, USA

    Daniel Boyd Kramer

  2. Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    Stephen Polasky

  3. Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    Anthony Starfield

  4. North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 55744, USA

    Brian Palik

  5. North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Evanston, Illinois, 60201, USA

    Lynne Westphal

  6. North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    Stephanie Snyder, Pamela Jakes & Rachel Hudson

  7. North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 5985 Highway K, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, USA

    Eric Gustafson

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  1. Daniel Boyd Kramer
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  2. Stephen Polasky
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  3. Anthony Starfield
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  7. Pamela Jakes
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  8. Rachel Hudson
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  9. Eric Gustafson
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Correspondence to Daniel Boyd Kramer.

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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-006-8011-0.

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Kramer, D.B., Polasky, S., Starfield, A. et al. A Comparison of Alternative Strategies for Cost-Effective Water Quality Management in Lakes. Environmental Management 38, 411–425 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0011-y

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