Banking on Nature: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation
Activity Levels Table 1-37 shows the recreation visits for Little Pend Oreille NWR. The Refuge had 64,130 visits in 2011. Non-consumptive recreation accounted for 45,120 visits, hunting 14,010 visits, and fishing 5,000 visits. Residents comprised 64 percent of all Refuge visits. Table 1-37. Little Pend Oreille NWR: 2011 Recreation Visits Activity
Residents
Non-Residents
Total
Non-Consumptive: Pedestrian
420
180
600
Auto Tour
14,400
9,600
24,000
Boat Trail/Launch
0
0
0
Bicycle
240
60
300
Interpretation
96
24
120
Photography
60
40
100
Other Recreation
14,000
6,000
20,000
Big Game
7,200
4,800
12,000
Small Game
1,500
500
2,000
Migratory Birds
10
0
10
Freshwater
3,000
2,000
5,000
Saltwater
0
0
0
40,926
23,204
64,130
Hunting:
Fishing:
Total Visitation Regional Economic Analysis
The economic area for the Refuge is Spokane and Stevens Counties in Washington. It is assumed that visitor expenditures occur primarily within these counties. Visitor recreation expenditures for 2011 are shown in Table 1-38. Total expenditures were $2.2 million with non-residents accounting for $1.7 million or 75 percent of total expenditures. Expenditures on non-consumptive activities accounted for 52 percent of all expenditures, followed by hunting and fishing at 44 and 4 percent respectively. Table 1-39 summarizes the local economic effects associated with recreation visits. Final demand totaled $3.9 million with associated employment of 30 jobs, $1.2 million in employment income and $468,000 in total tax revenue.
38