— A new report highlights the role of Montana’s outdoor recreation economy in spending, jobs, and economic diversification.
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Mountain
Division 8
San Luis Valley Wildfire Risk
— Explore interactive maps of watersheds, wildfire, and the wildland-urban interface in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
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Kelly Pohl
Wildfire, Watersheds, and the Wildland-Urban Interface in the San Luis Valley
— Partners in Colorado’s San Luis Valley are working to better understand the impacts of wildfire to communities, watersheds, and quality of life.
read moreof Wildfire, Watersheds, and the Wildland-Urban Interface in the San Luis Valley
Economic Diversification and Outdoor Recreation in Bonner County
— Improving economic diversification and outdoor recreation in Bonner County will bring new spending and jobs to the community.
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New Montana Homes Increase Wildfire Risks
— The number of western Montana homes in areas with high wildfire hazard has doubled, outpacing development rates in areas with low wildfire hazard.
read moreof New Montana Homes Increase Wildfire Risks
Economic Impact of National Parks
— This interactive and background materials show visits, spending, and the number of jobs created in gateway communities for every National Park Service unit.
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Impact of National Monuments Redesignated National Parks
— Investigating the economic effects of National Monuments redesignated National Parks, and the potential impact of converting the White Sands National Monument to a National Park.
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Gallatin County’s Economy, Growth, and Open Space
— This report summarizes Gallatin County's economy, how it has grown, and what is driving its performance. The report also describes how growth threatens open space and the role these lands play in local quality of life.
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Measuring Whitefish Trail Use
— Outdoor recreation and the economic impact of Whitefish Trail use in Whitefish, Montana.
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Montana Losing Open Space
— From 1990 to 2016, the number of single-family homes in Montana grew by 50 percent, and the popularity of large lots converted 1.3 million acres of undeveloped land to housing.
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Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data
— Review the different rates of home construction and loss of open space across Montana counties.
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Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana
— Updated: This report describes the benefits of a frontage path--a proposed paved, multi-use pathway connecting Belgrade and Bozeman along an approximately ten-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 10 in Gallatin County.
read moreof Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana
Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos County
— The economic challenges and opportunities in Taos County stem from being both a bustling mountain resort town, and a rural community facing long-term socioeconomic challenges.
read moreof Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos CountyEnchanted Circle Trails: Final Survey Results
— In Taos, New Mexico, Hispanic residents and low-income residents are less likely to have used trails during the previous year, but those who have used trails during the previous year use them just as often as other (non-Hispanic) residents. Among low-income residents, those with a park or trail within a 10-minute walk of their house were 50 percent more likely to have used trails during the previous year.
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Assessing Wildfire and Populations at Risk
— A new tool helps the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico assess wildfire and populations at risk.
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Planning Tools to Reduce Montana’s Wildfire Risk
— County governments, fire districts and service areas, and landowners have many opportunities to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface through land use planning tools and strategies, though challenges in Montana’s regulatory framework remain.
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Montana’s Economy, Public Lands, and Competitive Advantage
— This report summarizes Montana’s economy analyzing recent growth and what is driving its performance, including a description of how federal lands help attract people, investment, and businesses.
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Resilient Taos County: Living with Wildfire
— This story map provides Taos County residents with information about the ecological role of fire, the region’s wildfire risk, forest restoration projects, and emergency preparedness.
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Mark Haggerty
The Context and Status of Colstrip’s Coal-Fired Power Plant
— A guide to planning for the long-term social, economic and environmental well-being of the community of Colstrip, Montana.
read moreof The Context and Status of Colstrip’s Coal-Fired Power Plant
Rural Economic Development in Lincoln, Montana
— Many rural western towns face economic uncertainty. This report—informed by interviews and public meetings with residents—compares Lincoln to peer communities and outlines rural economic development options building on the town’s strengths.
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Comparing Trends and Prosperity in Gunnison County
— Explore socioeconomic trends in Gunnison County and neighboring Colorado counties.
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Measuring Prosperity in Gunnison County, Colorado
— This tool explores socioeconomic trends in Gunnison County, Colorado and compares them to neighboring counties and the state of Colorado.
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Trail and Pathway Use in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
— Explore seasonal use—including the amount, type, and timing—for 25 regional trails and pathways.
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Taos Trails Are Popular But Trail Access Varies
— In the Taos, New Mexico area trails are a fundamental part of health and quality of life, but differences in access to trails may limit the benefits for Hispanic and low-income residents.
read moreof Taos Trails Are Popular But Trail Access VariesBonner County Trails Final Survey Results
— In rural Bonner County in northern Idaho, trails are used by three-quarters of residents an average of every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Trail use is high for all residents, even accounting for differences in the length of residence in the county, income, and age. Business owners are more likely to identify trails as an important factor in their decision to move to the county.
read moreof Bonner County Trails Final Survey ResultsHappy Trails: The Effect of a Media Campaign on Urban Trail Use in Southern Nevada
— A media campaign to promote a trails information site in Las Vegas, Nevada appears to have significantly increased trail use across most trails studied. The size of the gain in trail use appears to be independent of trail lighting, landscaping, and trail length.
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Survey Finds Trails Valued Across Bonner County
— Survey provides information on Bonner County's trail system and will help prioritize improvements based on resident usage, satisfaction, reasons for living in the area.
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Planning for Montana’s Energy Transition
— While Montana is likely to experience relatively small impacts, coal-dependent communities in Eastern Montana are likely to feel the acute effects of job losses and declining tax revenue in the coming decades.
read moreof Planning for Montana’s Energy TransitionYellowstone-Grand Teton Loop Bicycle Pathway Estimated Economic Impact
— A 262-mile cycle touring loop connecting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, with significant portions on non-motorized pathways, has the potential to generate important economic activity in the small communities through which it would pass. However, due to the challenges of estimating economic impact across a large area and areas close to national parks, the use and economic impact estimates are likely overstated.
read moreof Yellowstone-Grand Teton Loop Bicycle Pathway Estimated Economic ImpactJackson Hole Pathways and Trails Survey
— In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a random, statistically representative survey gathered information about residents’ opinions of pathways and trails, including levels and types of use, satisfaction, strengths and weaknesses, and the role the trail system plays in quality of life. The survey found that 91 percent of residents had used the trail system in the previous 12 months and the trail system functions well for recreation, but could use improvements to serve transportation needs.
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Home Construction in the High Divide
— The High Divide region, recognized as one of the most intact biological areas in the lower 48 states, is attracting many new residents and home construction is changing the landscape.
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Bonner County, Idaho’s Resilient Economy
— Analysis shows that Bonner County’s economy has grown steadily and been resilient, despite recessions and losing several large employers, and many local businesses are committed to the community and its high quality of life.
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Teton County Trails & Pathways Survey Shows Extensive Local Use
— Survey shows that nine out of 10 respondents use the pathways and trails in Teton County, Wyoming. Such surveys help community leaders, stakeholders, and citizens plan for the future of pathways and trails systems.
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The Economic Value of Public Lands in Grand County, Utah
— This updated report analyzes the economic value of public lands in Grand County, Utah and the important role that these lands play for local businesses and the well-being of the region’s economy.
read moreof The Economic Value of Public Lands in Grand County, UtahBicycling and Walking in Colorado: Economic Impact and Household Survey Results
— This study found that bicycle tourism draws summertime tourists to Colorado ski areas who would not have come otherwise, many of whom come from out-of-state and generate valuable economic impact. State-wide, residents are most concerned about the safety of cycling and strongly support spending on improvements such as new paved off-street bike paths and linking paths to create a statewide system.
read moreof Bicycling and Walking in Colorado: Economic Impact and Household Survey ResultsAnalysis of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs and Opportunities for Montana
— This study found that cycle tourists in Montana spend an average of $76 per day and stay eight days in the state during their trip, much longer than the average tourist. Safety is cycle tourists’ top priority, so supporting more cycle touring in the state requires investments in safer routes, including narrower rumble strips, wider shoulders, and bike paths separate from roadways in high-traffic, high-speed areas.
read moreof Analysis of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs and Opportunities for MontanaAn Economic Impact Study of Bicycling in Arizona
— This study found that Arizona drew 14,000 out-of-state visitors to 250 cycling events in 2012. Because most participants stay for an average of only four days, their visits have a relatively small economic impact in the state-wide economy. However, these events are likely significant to small towns (see 69) and local spending associated with Arizona residents traveling within the state may generate significant additional economic impact (see a similar study in Oregon 68).
read moreof An Economic Impact Study of Bicycling in ArizonaThe Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Valley County
— This study found that snowmobilers from outside Valley County, Idaho are an important source of revenue during the winter months, spending an average of three days per trip and $106 per day. This revenue stream is highly susceptible to weather, with visits dropping 40 percent in a low snow year.
read moreof The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Valley CountyMontana Recreational Snowmobiles: Fuel-Use and Spending Patterns 2013
— This study found that snowmobiling is associated with high daily spending in Montana, with the average resident snowmobiler spending $108 per day and the average non-resident spending $148 per day. Despite the 4,000 miles of groomed trails available in the state, snowmobiling remains primarily an activity enjoyed by residents, who accounted for 93 percent of snowmobiling days in 2013.
read moreof Montana Recreational Snowmobiles: Fuel-Use and Spending Patterns 2013The Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking at One of Its Meccas: An Application of the Travel Cost Method to Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah
— This study found that the Slickrock Trail, a world-famous mountain bike trail in Moab, Utah, draws a large number of avid users annually, who are willing to travel long distances and spend large sums to reach it. Because access fees are a relatively low portion of overall trip cost, visitation rates are unlikely to change much even if they are increased.
read moreof The Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking at One of Its Meccas: An Application of the Travel Cost Method to Mountain Biking in Moab, UtahParks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey: Findings Report
— This study found that while 70 percent of Missoula residents were willing to pay more taxes to acquire open space and build new trails and recreation facilities, still more (77%) were willing to pay more taxes to maintain existing facilities. Eighty-six percent of all residents had used City parks in the previous 12 months, highlighting the importance of within-community trails even in rural areas with public lands nearby.
read moreof Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey: Findings ReportJackson Hole Trail Project Economic Impact Study
— This study found that locals are the main beneficiary of the Teton County, Wyoming trail system, although visitors are increasingly enjoying area trails outside of Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The economic impact of the trails may be significant, but is difficult to estimate without knowing how many visitors come to the area just for the trail system.
read moreof Jackson Hole Trail Project Economic Impact StudyEstimating the Recreation Demand and Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah: An Application of Count Data Models
— This study found that mountain bikers visiting the Moab, Utah trail system spent an average of $282 per trip and visited 2.5 times per year. Rather than a specific trail, as was studied in the Fix and Loomis (1997) Slickrock Trail study, this study evaluated the benefits of the Moab area’s whole mountain bike trail system.
read moreof Estimating the Recreation Demand and Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah: An Application of Count Data ModelsTrails on Tribal Lands in the United States
— This study found that the benefits of trails in Indian Country may be more significant than in other communities that are less culturally or spatially fragmented, less politically and economically marginalized, or less culturally tied to the landscape. Trails can provide particularly valuable benefits to residents of Indian Country, helping to improve residents’ quality of life in several dimensions: connecting tribal members to each other and to culturally significant sites and natural resources; providing safe alternative transportation routes across the reservation; providing opportunities for safe exercise; and providing opportunities for economic development and cultural education.
read moreof Trails on Tribal Lands in the United StatesWildfire Effects on Hiking and Biking Demand in New Mexico: A Travel Cost Study
— This study found that crown wildfires that cross trails are likely to have a dramatic effect on use and individual benefit for hikers and mountain bikers that persists for decades after the fire occurs. Prescribed fires are also shown to decrease benefits and use for both groups, but these declines occur gradually over decades rather than an immediate drop in the year of a wildfire.
read moreof Wildfire Effects on Hiking and Biking Demand in New Mexico: A Travel Cost StudyTeton-West Yellowstone Region Backcountry Winter Recreation Economic Impact Analysis
— This study found that participants in backcountry, non-motorized winter recreation generate a substantial economic, employment, and fiscal impact in the Teton-West Yellowstone region. This is the only study we are aware of that assesses the impact of this type of recreation.
read moreof Teton-West Yellowstone Region Backcountry Winter Recreation Economic Impact AnalysisCommunity Economic Contributions from Recreational Trails Usage on Public Lands: Implications from a Comprehensive Wyoming Study
— This study found that trail-related recreation on Wyoming’s 10,000 miles of trails, both motorized and non-motorized, generates substantial spending for local businesses and tax revenue for state and local governments. While off-road vehicle (ORV) and snowmobile users generate far more spending in this analysis, the incomplete assessment of non-motorized users makes it difficult to make comparisons of impact between motorized and non-motorized users.
read moreof Community Economic Contributions from Recreational Trails Usage on Public Lands: Implications from a Comprehensive Wyoming Study
Economic Opportunities in the Blackfoot Watershed
— This report provides an overview of the Blackfoot River watershed’s economy and summarizes the findings from six focus groups that explored potential economic opportunities.
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Kelly Pohl
Understanding the Recreation Economy on Nearby Public Lands
— How can communities measure and take advantage of the economic impacts of nearby outdoor recreation activities on public lands?
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Three Wests Sortable Data
— Review the economic and demographic differences between Metro, Connected and Isolated counties.
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The Economic Impacts of Restoration in Central Idaho
— This report provides a way to calculate the economic impacts of natural resource restoration activities to nearby communities that should be helpful to local officials, agency staff, and policy analysts.
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Wyoming Oil Taxes: Highest Rate, Large Savings Compared to Other States
— This report compares how Wyoming provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
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Local Governmments in New Mexico Receive Lowest Share of Oil Revenue
— This report compares how New Mexico provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
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Colorado Lags Other States in Taxing Oil, Incentives Increase Volatility
— This report compares how Colorado provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
read moreof Colorado Lags Other States in Taxing Oil, Incentives Increase Volatility
Montana Oil Tax Policy: No Long-Term Savings, Exposure to Volatility
— This report compares how Montana provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
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Restoring the Clark Fork River
— Headwaters Economics worked with the Clark Fork Coalition, U.S. Forest Service, and others to create an interactive tool that describes many of the stories behind the ongoing recovery of the Clark Fork River.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote New Mexico Jobs and Higher Incomes
— This New Mexico fact sheet summarizes the state's recent economic growth and the role protected public lands play in supporting faster job creation and higher per-capita income.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Nevada Jobs and Higher Incomes
— During the past decade Nevada and the West outperformed the nation, and the competitive advantage offered by its protected lands supported job growth and higher per-capita incomes.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Montana Jobs and Higher Incomes
— Montana's recent economic growth and the role of protected public lands in supporting employment creation and higher per-capita income are explored in this report.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Idaho Jobs and Higher Incomes
— Helped by its high quality of life and protected public lands, Idaho’s economy and population grew rapidly in the past decade. The majority of growth coming from health care and administrative services.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Colorado Jobs and Higher Incomes
— Colorado's rate of population, employment, and real personal income growth has outpaced the nation and this fact sheet looks at the role of protected public lands in supporting jobs and higher incomes.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Arizona Jobs and Higher Incomes
— This fact sheet summarizes Arizona's recent economic growth and the role of protected public lands in supporting faster job creation and higher per-capita income.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Wyoming Jobs and Higher Incomes
— Wyoming is an economic leader and protected public lands help the state grow and diversify its economy.
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West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Utah Jobs and Higher Incomes
— Utah has been a national leader in economic growth during the past decade. This report looks at the state's economy and the role of protected public lands.
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Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front
— This report analyzes the Front’s land, people, and economy, how the region has changed in important ways during the past several decades, and the potential impact of the proposed Rocky Mountain Heritage Act on the Front.
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The Proposed SunZia Transmission Line: A Guide for Decision Makers
— This report analyzes the proposed SunZia transmission line, finding that the project, as currently configured, depends on its ability to export renewable energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California.
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Report: New Mexico’s Oil and Natural Gas Industry
— This graphical analysis reviews the status of New Mexico's oil and gas industry including production, drilling activity, and its role in the state's economy.
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Report: Colorado’s Oil and Natural Gas Industry
— This graphical analysis reviews the status of Colorado's oil and gas industry including production, drilling activity, tax policy, its role in Colorado’s economy.
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Unconventional Oil and North Dakota Communities: State Fiscal Policy Unprepared for Impacts of Energy Development
— This report analyzes the growing infrastructure and services needs of the Bakken boom and meeting the demands of unconventional energy development.
read moreof Unconventional Oil and North Dakota Communities: State Fiscal Policy Unprepared for Impacts of Energy Development
Colorado’s Economy and the Role of Federal Protected Lands
— This report summarizes Colorado's economy and the role of federal protected lands, including how the state has performed, and Colorado's ability to attract people, investment, and businesses.
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New Mexico’s Economy and the Role of Federal Protected Lands
— An analysis of New Mexico’s economy and how federal protected lands impact economic performance.
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Report: The Status of Utah’s Oil and Gas Industry
— This graphical analysis shows that Utah's oil and gas industry was recovering at the time of the report.
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Clean Energy Transmission
— Headwaters Economics analyzed transmission infrastructure issues from the perspective of regional economic development, and other topics most relevant to local and state decision makers.
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County Level Drilling Activity, 2001-2011
— This report focuses on county-level details of drilling rig activity for the period 2001 to 2011 in the six Rocky Mountain oil and gas states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
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Preparing Missoula County for a Changing Climate
— A report on socioeconomic conditions of Missoula County as part of public process of developing a climate change adaptation plan.
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Public Lands Ranching in Southern Utah
— A report on public lands ranching in southern Utah.
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Carey, Idaho and Economic Recovery
— This report summarizes interviews with local government and business leaders on obstacles to and opportunities for local economic recovery in Carey, Idaho from the last recession.
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Missoula County Homes at Risk in Flood and Wildfire Areas
— These two slideshows and related information use Missoula County and Western Montana to show how many homes have been built in flood and wildfire hazard areas, which are vulnerable to larger and more frequent floods and fires.
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Fossil Fuel Extraction and Western Economies
— This study analyzes the fossil fuel economy in five Rocky Mountain states—CO, MT, NM, UT, and WY—and how states and communities can maximize benefits and minimize the costs of energy development.
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Crown of the Continent and Climate Change
— This report studies the possible effects of climate change in the Crown of the Continent on two “snow-pack” dependent sectors of the economy--downhill skiing and recreational fishing.
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Yellowstone River Atlas
— This site documents the economic and demographic conditions of counties bordering the Yellowstone River, and displays maps showing past, current, and forecasted residential development along the river.
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Clean Energy Leadership in the Rockies: Competitive Positioning in the Emerging Green Economy
— The Clean Energy report compares how Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are taking advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities to create green jobs.
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Development Timeline: Oil Shale Activities in Colorado and Utah
— While a handful of companies reported being active in the field-testing of new technologies in 2009, only one company had announced plans to upscale to a prototype (semi-works scale) facility.
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Potential Impacts of Energy Development in New Mexico, with a Case Study of Otero County
— This report analyzes the economic and fiscal contribution of the oil and natural gas industries in New Mexico along with a case study of proposed energy development on Otero Mesa.
read moreof Potential Impacts of Energy Development in New Mexico, with a Case Study of Otero CountyPress Release: Clean Energy in the Rockies Report Released
— Study Shows Which States Are Attracting Jobs, Businesses, and Investment; Five Key Steps to Future Growth
read moreof Press Release: Clean Energy in the Rockies Report Released
Clearwater Basin Collaborative
— The Clearwater Basin Collaborative is a diverse group of regional interests working together to craft a plan for the protection, use, and management of National Forest land within the Clearwater Basin in Idaho.
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The Economic Benefits of Southern New Mexico’s Natural Assets
— This report examines how investments in conservation and restoration provide both an immediate return through employment and revenue and help promote long-term economic growth that extends far beyond tourism.
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Potential Impacts of Energy Development in Montana, with a Case Study of the Powder River Basin
— This report focuses on the economic and fiscal contributions of the oil and natural gas industries in Montana, including a case study of the Powder River Basin.
read moreof Potential Impacts of Energy Development in Montana, with a Case Study of the Powder River BasinImpacts of Energy Development in Wyoming, with a Case Study of Sweetwater County
— This report studies the significance of fossil fuel development in Wyoming, with a case study of the energy-focused county of Sweetwater County.
read moreof Impacts of Energy Development in Wyoming, with a Case Study of Sweetwater County
Fiscal Impact of the Montana Legacy Project
— These studies review the fiscal impact on Mineral and Lake counties of the Montana Legacy Project.
read moreof Fiscal Impact of the Montana Legacy ProjectImpacts of Energy Development in Colorado, with a Case Study of Mesa and Garfield Counties
— This report explores the significance of fossil fuel energy development for Colorado with a case study of the implications for the West Slope economy.
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Land Use Effects of Paving Rural Roads
— This report, a first step toward understanding how paving rural roads impacts land use, reviewed eight projects in western Montana
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High Divide GIS Data
— Headwaters Economics developed historical and forecasted housing data for the High Divide based on county tax assessor records. Download GIS data showing 2013 home counts per Public Land Survey Section.
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Montana Wildfire Cost Study- Technical Report
— This report examines how residential development adds to the costs of fighting wildfires, using Montana as a case study.
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The Economy of the Gila Region
— This report explores the question of whether and how rural, isolated communities can benefit from being gateways to large expanses of public lands.
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Santa Fe National Forest Workshop
— The workshop involved the public in developing a new Forest Plan in light of the socioeconomic situation of the area and how it has changed since the last Forest Plan was adopted.
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