Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU

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The purpose of this CESU will be to determine the value and societal benefits that are derived from the Mid Level resolution Imagery (MLRI) program through identification and classification of users, a better understanding of the uses and applications. In addition it will estimate the societal benefit or MLRI for decision makers. Develop a set of questions for valuing the use of MLRI in decision making. Topics to be covered in this section of the survey will include the following:  Perceived benefits of satellite imagery  How important is the imagery to activities How likely is it that operational use of x application would happen if MLRI weren’t available, including: o Lost revenues (product relies heavily on Landsat)o Impairs decision-making capacity leading to greater uncertainty in outcomeso Increased labor / time to do the same operational application of the imageryo Increased costs from substitution of higher cost imagery What are the substitutes for MLRI – how would users ‘get by’ without access to the imagery? Non-market/market valuation – efficiency, cost, productivity, etc?University economists will work with USGS economists in developing the appropriate valuation questions for the various moderate-resolution imagery users. University economists will work with USGS during the summer of 2008 to develop an initial set of questions for peer review and OMB approval. USGS is responsible for pre-testing and obtaining OMB approval of the final questionnaire. University economists will work with USGS in fall 2008 through summer 2009 to address any peer review and OMB comments or concerns regarding the valuation questions in the pre-test and final survey.

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