The Importance of Sample Discrimination in Using the Travel Cost Method to Estimate the Benefits of Improved Water Quality

Abstract

An application of the travel cost method, with emphasis on surveying current users and former users, was made at St. Albans Bay (Lake Champlain) in Vermont. Over the past 10-15 years phosphorus loading in the bay, causing increased rooted and floating plant growth, resulted in declining recreational use. A survey of 311 respondents, who had former recreational experience with St. Albans Bay, revealed that most would return there if the water were to become clean.