…Got a nice compliment from Headwaters Economics about last week’s posting that profiled wilderness areas that Republican lawmakers have proposed for permanent protection.
Headwaters sent me a link to a research brief from Utah State University professors arguing that wilderness designations are a net economic loser for nearby counties, resulting in reduced per capita income, payrolls, and tax receipts. Headwaters came right back at ’em with a critique of the brief, pointing out analytical flaws and the countervailing, peer-reviewed evidence documenting the economic benefits of wilderness for nearby communities.…