Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

5.3.6 Refuge Contribution
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Recreational spending near national wildlife refuges generates economic activity for local
economies. These expenditures can include food, lodging, transportation, and other purchases from
local businesses while engaging in refuge uses. Books, magazines, membership dues and
contributions, land leasing or ownership, hunting and fishing licenses, and plantings, all for the
purpose of wildlife-related recreation are also considered expenditures. In 2006, approximately
34.8 million people visited refuges around the contiguous United States, generating an estimated
$1.7 billion in regional economies. Refuge employment contributed $542.8 million in income and
recreational spending generated about $185.3 million in tax revenue at the local, State, and Federal
level. Additional revenue is also derived from local taxes and employment income from the refuges.
Wildlife-related recreation in Hawai‘i generated approximately $373,778,000 in 2006, with roughly
$210,414,000 attributed to wildlife watching (USFWS 2007a). Although the units of the Hakalau
Forest NWR are generally not available to the public, the Refuge does contribute to the local
economy through recreational expenditures. Carver and Caudill (2007) found that the Hakalau
Forest NWR had total annual recreational expenditure of $56,400 from 1,323 visitors. Roughly
90 percent of these total expenditures were from nonresidents. Birding and other wildlife observation
were the main activities occurring at the HFU. In comparison, recreational expenditures at Kīlauea
Point on Kaua‘i generated $10.7 million from 986,088 visitors.
In addition to recreational expenditures, the Refuge contributes money to the local economy through
the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 715s). This Act authorizes Federal payments to
be transferred to the County of Hawai‘i annually in lieu of discontinued taxation of private property.
The amount compensated is approximately 0.75 percent of the fair market value of fee lands. In
2009, $66,557 was paid to Hawai‘i County for Hakalau Forest NWR.
5.4 References
Carver, E. and J. Caudill. 2007. Banking on Nature 2006: The Economic Benefits to Local
Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation. Division of Economics, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Washington, DC. 382 pp.
Caudill, J. and E. Henderson. 2005. Banking on Nature 2004: The Economic Benefits to Local
Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation. Division of Economics, U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Washington, DC. 435 pp.
Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Military Affairs Council. 2008. Hawaii-Based Armed Forces
Benefit All of US. Available at http://cochawaii.com/_library/documents/newpdfs/imp%20mil%202008.pdf.
Accessed February 1, 2008.
Clark, Hannah. Forbes Magazine "The Best Cities to Get a Job" (February16, 2007). Available at:
http://www.forbes.com/careers/2007/02/15/best-cities-jobs-leadershipcareers_cx_hc_0216cityjobs.html.
Accessed January 7, 2008.
Chapter 5. Social and Economic Environment 5-25