Our experience in natural resource economics and management dates back to the founding of our firm in 1977. NEA has continued to build on that foundation with each new project we undertake for our valued clients.

The NEA professional staff has a strong educational background and practical work experience in this specialized discipline. From expertise in water resources planning, commercial and recreational fisheries, flood control analysis, and land use planning, to forest management, economics of fish and wildlife habitats, integrated GIS and GPS analysis, and recreation planning, we give our clients a strategic advantage and the benefit of our combined knowledge and experience.

We have taken the lead in applying GIS and GPS technology to our natural resource projects. This technology is especially advantageous for primary data gathering, assimilation, and computer mapping related to the evaluation and management of natural resources. Solutions often become more evident through spatial analysis of resources and their interaction with events and policies. For example, maps generated of the Cerro Grande fires in Los Alamos, New Mexico, gave our clients a detailed view of the damage done to particular areas. In another case, maps developed by NEA for the Corps of Engineers clearly showed how flooding and erosion had altered the course of rivers—impacting land, wildlife, and residents as a result.

Project Highlights

Environmental and Economic Assessment to Support "Threatened" Species on the ESA List
ENTRIX, Inc., Olympia, WA

NEA prepared economic assessments of proposed listings of salmon species, under the Endangered Species Act, in four western states for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The individual analyses followed Regulatory Flexibility Act guidelines for determining whether a proposed listing has a significant impact on small businesses in an affected area. Indirect and total impacts were measured using IMPLAN models for the respective affected regions.

Recreation and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Plan for the Duck Valley
Indian Reservation
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland, OR

NEA developed a recreation and wildlife habitat plan as part of a comprehensive water development plan for the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Idaho and Nevada. Past and present recreation use was examined, and the potential for future recreation was projected. Improvements to and enhancement of existing wildlife and waterfowl habitat were planned. As a part of the plan, NEA determined costs and benefits associated with reservoir recreation and waterfowl habitat development, and the value of streamflow augmentation.

Pelican Butte Ski Demand Market Analysis
Cogan Owens Cogan, Portland, OR

NEA conducted an analysis of the potential market for downhill skiing at the proposed Pelican Butte Ski Area in southern Oregon as part of the EIS for the project. NEA’s analysis included projections of population by age cohort in local and regional market areas and potential participation by selected age cohorts for counties within the market area. By using allocations of potential skiers to ski areas within and outside the market area, NEA was able to predict potential demand for the proposed ski area.

Salmon Decision Analysis: Lower Snake River Feasibility Study
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, WA

NEA analyzed the economic costs associated with alternative recovery actions to improve juvenile salmon survival during downstream migration. Costs for construction, hydropower generation, reservoir recreation, navigation, and irrigation and municipal and industrial water supply were evaluated. NEA incorporated economic information into a decision analysis comparing biological trade-offs for alternative recovery strategies, including reservoir drawdowns, fish transportation, and structural modification to the hydro projects.

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