U.S. 97 Realignment Project
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Realignment, Salmon, IMPLAN
Abstract
The Washington State Department of Transportation is in need of replacing two culverts along US Highway 97 north of Ellensburg: the Iron Creek culvert and a Swauk Creek culvert, almost two miles to the northeast. In its current alignment, US-97 is separating Swauk Creek from its natural floodplain, leading to several environmental and maintenance problems, including adverse effects on anadromous fish. Several options for floodplain reintroduction in conjunction with the culvert replacements are being considered. The most expensive, but potentially most beneficial alternative, involves realigning a two-mile stretch of US-97 around the majority of the isolated floodplain. I used IMPLAN Pro input-output software to estimate the total economic impacts of this realignment alternative. When considered in conjunction with quantified environmental benefits from this proposed project, an informed decision can be made as to whether this alternative project warrants further consideration.
This presentation was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.
Recommended Citation
Fahsholtz, Sam, "U.S. 97 Realignment Project" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 87.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/87
Poster Number
25
Additional Mentoring Department
Economics
U.S. 97 Realignment Project
SURC Ballroom C/D
The Washington State Department of Transportation is in need of replacing two culverts along US Highway 97 north of Ellensburg: the Iron Creek culvert and a Swauk Creek culvert, almost two miles to the northeast. In its current alignment, US-97 is separating Swauk Creek from its natural floodplain, leading to several environmental and maintenance problems, including adverse effects on anadromous fish. Several options for floodplain reintroduction in conjunction with the culvert replacements are being considered. The most expensive, but potentially most beneficial alternative, involves realigning a two-mile stretch of US-97 around the majority of the isolated floodplain. I used IMPLAN Pro input-output software to estimate the total economic impacts of this realignment alternative. When considered in conjunction with quantified environmental benefits from this proposed project, an informed decision can be made as to whether this alternative project warrants further consideration.
This presentation was withdrawn from SOURCE, 2014.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Wassell, Charles, Jr.