2024-03-29T02:11:21
153221
Fri Mar 29 02:11:23 EDT 2024
Data and Code for: Wetlands, Flooding, and the Clean Water Act
Charles Taylor
Hannah Druckenmiller
153221
https://doi.org/10.3886/E153221V1
In 2020 the EPA narrowed the definition of ‘Waters of the United States', significantly limiting wetland protection under the Clean Water Act. Current policy debates center on the uncertainty around wetland benefits. We estimate the value of wetlands for flood mitigation across the US using detailed flood claims and land use data. We find the average hectare of wetland lost between 2001 and 2016 cost society $1,840 annually, and over $8,000 in developed areas. We document significant spatial heterogeneity in wetland benefits, with implications for flood insurance policy and the 50% of ‘isolated’ wetlands at risk of losing federal protection.
Ecosystem valuation
Wetlands
Flood mitigation
Q51 Valuation of Environmental Effects
Q57 Ecological Economics: Ecosystem Services; Biodiversity Conservation; Bioeconomics; Industrial Ecology
United States
2001 – 2016