Help Needed- (Print out & Send In)- Annual Economic Value of Recreational Angling at Sam Rayburn Reservoir with Emphasis on Black Bass Tournaments Principal Investigators: Todd Driscoll, Dan Ashe, and Jeremy Leitz Objectives: 1) Estimate annual number of black bass tournaments and associated participants at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. 2) Estimate annual direct expenditures, recreational value, and economic impact of black bass tournaments to local counties surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir and to Texas. 3) Estimate total annual direct expenditures, recreational value, and economic impact of recreational angling to local counties surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir and to Texas. Justification: Demand for water in Texas is rapidly increasing due to human population growth. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) regularly updates water use plans due to changes in population, water availability, and priorities. Discussions regarding interbasin transfer of East Texas water are increasing. A current economic value estimate of recreational fishing at Sam Rayburn Reservoir is needed to ensure that the TWDB makes informed and responsible decisions regarding water allocation. Although the economic value of recreational fishing at Sam Rayburn Reservoir was estimated at $15.1 million in 2001, the actual overall value is likely much higher, as the study design did not represent all black bass Micropterus spp. tournaments and participants. In 2004, over 300 bass tournaments were conducted at the reservoir with tournament angling comprising 19% of total angling effort. The significance of economic impacts associated with tournaments is widely discussed at Sam Rayburn Reservoir but is unknown. Introduction: Demand for water in Texas is rapidly increasing due to human population growth. The population in Texas is predicted to exceed 45 million people in 2060, more than doubling the population in 2000 (21 million) (TWDB 2006). In 2060, projected water demand (21.6 million acre-feet) will exceed available supply (14.6 million acre-feet) (TWDB 2006). Based on input from 16 regional planning groups, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) prepares water use plans every five years that recommend water management strategies and projects that will make up projected deficits. The East Texas water-planning region is projected to meet its water demands in 2060. However, the majority of other planning regions are projected to have water deficits. Interbasin water transfers have been proposed to alleviate deficits in some planning regions (TWDB 2006). As water demand surpasses supply in other areas of the state, there will be increased pressure to transfer water out of the East Texas region, including Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Angling activities make a substantial contribution to the economies of most states. In 2001, anglers in the United States spent $35.6 billion, with $2.0 billion of these expenditures in Texas (USFWS 2001). Economic impact estimates of angling at individual Texas reservoirs have been conducted to ensure that angling interests are appropriately considered when compared to municipal, industrial, and agricultural water uses (i.e., Schorr et al. 1995; Hunt et al. 1996; Thailing and Ditton 2000; Dennis et al. 2006). Anderson et al. (2002a) estimated the economic value of recreational fishing at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in 2001 ($15.1 million), but concluded that value was likely underestimated as study design did not adequately represent contributions of black bass Micropterus spp. tournaments. Black bass tournament angling is popular at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Anderson et al. (2002a) estimated 52% of all anglers at Sam Rayburn Reservoir participate in black bass tournaments, compared to only 14% of Texas anglers (Bohnsack and Ditton 1999). In 2004, over 300 bass tournaments were conducted at the reservoir with tournament angling comprising 19% of total angling effort (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, unpublished data). Direct expenditures associated with two tournaments, Bass-N-Bucks and the Texas BASS Federation State Championship, were $237,724 and $235,928, respectively (Anderson et al. 2002b; Anderson et al. 2002c). If 37 similar tournaments were conducted annually, direct expenditures from tournaments alone would exceed annual direct expenditures Anderson et al. (2002a) estimated for all anglers. Clearly, annual economic contributions of black bass tournaments are needed to estimate economic impacts of all recreational angling at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Understanding specific economic contributions of tournament and non-tournament anglers can augment local resource management. For example, biological benefits of fisheries management activities that can result in decreased tournament frequency (i.e., restrictive length limits) can be weighed against potential economic losses. Furthermore, local communities can use these estimates to better prioritize funds and activities that promote local economic development associated with recreational fishing. We could find only one study that estimated annual expenditures of tournament anglers at a reservoir (Dennis et al. 2006), and no studies have estimated the annual economic value and impact of tournaments. Therefore, we propose to estimate 1) the annual number of black bass tournaments and associated participants at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, 2) the annual direct expenditures, recreational value, and economic impact of black bass tournaments to local counties surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir and to Texas, and 3) the total annual direct expenditures, recreational value, and economic impact of recreational angling to local counties surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir and to Texas. Methods: Annual Number of Tournaments and Participants Bass tournaments at Sam Rayburn Reservoir can be classified into two general types: bass club and open tournaments. Bass club tournaments are typically smaller, non-profit events (< 50 participants) requiring a club membership for eligibility. Open tournaments are typically larger (> 50 participants), have few restrictions on eligibility, are conducted by for-profit organizations, and are publicly advertised to maximize participation. An ongoing tournament-monitoring program has identified contacts associated with approximately 100 bass clubs that have conducted events at Sam Rayburn Reservoir during the last four years. Additional bass clubs will be identified by 1) TPWD roving creel surveys, 2) the tournament permit database maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and 3) statewide bass club affiliations (i.e., Texas Association of Bass Clubs, Texas B.A.S.S. Federation). All identified bass clubs will be contacted regarding annual tournament participation at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and asked to volunteer the number of anglers participating in each tournament. Open tournaments at Sam Rayburn Reservoir are well advertised in numerous media outlets, including event schedules and results. For a majority of tournaments, total number of anglers will be retrieved from web sites. If online results are not available, tournament organizers will be contacted and asked to volunteer the number of anglers in each event. Economic Value of Tournaments Typically, economic value of recreational angling is defined as the value above direct expenditures that anglers are willing to pay (Steinback 1999). Direct expenditures and consumer surplus (i.e., willingness to pay above trip costs) of tournament anglers will be estimated via mail-out questionnaires. Selected participants will be mailed a questionnaire (Appendix 1) and a postage-paid return envelope within one month of the tournament. Reminder/thank you postcards will be sent to all survey participants seven to ten days after the first survey mailing. A second questionnaire will be sent to non-respondents two weeks following the postcard mailing. Party expenditures will be recorded in each of 14 categories within and outside a local six-county area. If we conservatively assume bass clubs average three tournaments per year at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, at least 300 bass club tournaments occur annually. At least 30 club tournaments will be randomly selected (2 – 3 per month; more will be selected if funding is available) during the year to query regarding expenditures. Assuming an average of 20 participants per tournament and a response rate of 60%, expenditures and consumer surplus of 360 bass club participants will be acquired. In 2006, 36 open tournaments were conducted at Sam Rayburn Reservoir with an average of 189 anglers per event. We suspect that direct expenditures for open tournament anglers will increase relative to tournament entry fees and associated payback. Open tournaments will be classified by entry fee (< $150, $151-$500, or > $500). At least 10 open tournaments (more will be selected if funding is available) will be randomly selected (two or more in each entry fee category) during the year. Tournament directors will be asked to provide names and addresses of participants. Assuming tournament participation is similar to 2006 and a response rate of 60%, approximately 1,100 open tournament questionnaires will be received. Total annual expenditures and consumer surplus associated with tournaments will be estimated by multiplying the average daily values of club and open anglers (weighted average based on entry fee classification above) by the total estimated number of club and open tournament-angler days. Tournament-angler days will include days spent practicing for tournaments. Total expenditures and surplus of club and open tournaments will be summed to calculate total economic value of tournaments. Economic Value of Non-tournament Angling Angler names and addresses (one angler from each interviewed party) will be collected during roving creel surveys (9 days/quarter; 36 days/year) and supplemental collections at boat ramps (3 days/quarter). Historical creel survey contacts at Sam Rayburn Reservoir indicate this effort should provide a sample size of 1,000 total anglers (500 of those non-tournament anglers). Anglers will be separated into active tournament, practice tournament, and non-tournament groups. All anglers will be sent either tournament (Appendix 1) or non-tournament mailings (Appendix 2), along with reminder postcards if questionnaires are not returned within seven to ten days. A second questionnaire will be sent to non-respondents two weeks following the postcard mailing. Party expenditures will be recorded in each of 13 categories within and outside a local six-county area. Tournament angler expenditures (including expenditures specifically related to tournament practice) will be separated from non-tournament expenditures and potentially used to supplement average tournament expenditure calculations described above. Average expenditures and consumer surplus from non-tournament respondents will be used to calculate total non-tournament economic value by multiplying the estimated average daily values by the total estimated number of non-tournament angler days for the year derived from creel surveys. Total Economic Value and Impacts of Recreational Angling The total economic value of recreational angling at Sam Rayburn Reservoir will be calculated by summing economic values of tournament and non-tournament angling. Total economic impacts of recreational fisheries exceed expenditures due to circulation of expenditures in the local economy (Weithman 1999). Direct impacts include the sales, income, and employment generated from initial purchases of anglers, whereas indirect impacts result from industries that supply the directly affected businesses (Steinback 1999). Total economic impacts of recreational angling at Sam Rayburn Reservoir will be estimated using the input-output model developed by the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) program (Olson and Lindall 1996). The IMPLAN software considers the interdependence of angling and other industries in an economy. Expenditures will be separated by 1) local, non-local, and non-resident anglers, and 2) tournament and non-tournament anglers to specifically estimate economic impacts on the local and state economy. Timeline: April 2007 – June 2007 – pursue local community funding June 2007 – May 2008 – collect data June 2008 – May 2009 – compile and analyze data, prepare report Projected Cost: Funding will be sought from local communities. Costs do not include IMPLAN software and related training ($9,000). Postage Quantity Price Total First mailout 3,500 $0.39 $1,365 Postcard mailout 3,500 $0.24 $840 Second mailout 2,800 $0.39 $1,092 Business reply returns 2,100 $0.45 $945 $4,242 Printing and Supplies Quantity Price Total Paper 25 reams $4.49 $113 Postcards 7 reams $9.99 $70 Mailout envelopes 6,300 $0.10 $630 Business reply envelopes 6,300 $0.12 $756 Toner 5 $100 $500 $2,069 Miscellaneous Fuel and per diem-supplemental 12 32 $384 boat ramp collections Grand Total $6,695 Literature Cited Anderson, D.K., R.B. Ditton, and C.O. Oh. 2002a. Characteristics, participation patterns, management preferences, expenditures, and economic impacts of Sam Rayburn Reservoir anglers. Texas A&M University Human Dimensions Research Laboratory, College Station. Anderson, D. K., R. B. Ditton, and C. Oh. 2002b. The May 6, 2001 Bass N Bucks fishing tournament: an analysis of participants’ characteristics, attitudes, expenditures, and economic impacts. Texas A&M University Human Dimensions Research Laboratory, College Station. Anderson, D. K., R. B. Ditton, and C. Oh. 2002c. The 2002 Texas BASS Federation State Championship fishing tournament: participants’ characteristics, attitudes, expenditures, and economic impacts. Texas A&M University Human Dimensions Research Laboratory, College Station. Dennis, J.A., T. Bradle, F. Janssen, R.A. Myers, J.W. Schlechte, T.O Smith, and J.B. Taylor. 2006. Annual Expenditures of Black Bass Tournament and Non-tournament Anglers at O. H. Ivie Reservoir, Texas. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies XX:xxx-xxx. Hunt, K.M., S.M. Poarch, and R. Riechers. 1996. Trip characteristics, expenditures, and economic value of a trophy largemouth bass fishery: Lake Fork Reservoir, Texas. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 50:163-173. Olson, D., and S. Lindall. 1996. IMPLAN professional software, analysis, and data guide. Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Stillwater, Minnesota. Schorr, M.S., J. Sah, D.F. Schreiner, M.R. Meador, and L.G. Hill. 1995. Regional economic impact of the lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas) striped bass fishery. Fisheries 20 (5):14-18. Steinback, S.R. 1999. Regional economic impact assessments of recreational fisheries: an application of the IMPLAN modeling system to marine party and charter boat fishing in Maine. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19:724-736. Thailing, C.E., and Ditton, R.B. 2000. Characteristics, participation patterns, attitudes, management preferences, expenditures, and economic impacts of Toledo Bend reservoir anglers: Texas and Louisiana. Texas A&M University Human Dimensions Research Laboratory. Report#HD-616, College Station. TWDB (Texas Water Development Board). 2006. Water for Texas 2007. 405 p. USFWS (U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service). 2001. National survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation. USFWS, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Weithman, A.S. 1999. Socioeconomic benefits of fisheries. Pages 193-213 in C.C. Kohler and W.A. Hubert, editors. Inland fisheries management in North America, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please return the completed questionnaire in the enclosed postage-paid reply envelope. Texas Parks and Wildlife Attn: Todd Driscoll Rt. 2 Box 535 Jasper, TX 75951 E-mail todd3d@jas.net (409) 384-9572 Dear : You recently participated in a bass tournament at Sam Rayburn. Enclosed is a questionnaire that is part of official research being conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife concerning that tournament. As you probably know, demand for water continues to increase as the population and economy in Texas grows. Water is used for many things such as power generation, municipal or commercial use, agriculture and recreation. Every five years, regional planning groups update recommendations regarding how the water resources of Texas will be allocated in the future. Information gained from this questionnaire will document the economic importance of tournaments at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and economic impacts to local communities. In the future, these values can be important information used by decision makers when addressing water allocation and fishery management issues. Your cooperation is extremely important to the completion of this research. Your answers will not be connected with your name and all information you provide will remain strictly confidential. Please take the time to complete this questionnaire and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you should have any questions, please contact us by mail, e-mail or phone using information provided on the final page of the survey. Sincerely, Phil Durocher Director, Inland Fisheries You participated in the bass tournament indicated below at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. To ensure that we get the most accurate economic estimates, please answer questions 1-4 with this specific tournament in mind. Tournament Organization or Bass Club Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ______________________ 1. How many total days did you spend on this trip to Sam Rayburn for this tournament? __________ Day(s) 2. Did the following people travel with you in the same vehicle to the Sam Rayburn tournament? (Circle one) If "YES" how many people? Spouse Yes No _____________ Children Yes No _____________ Friends/other family Yes No _____________ Other tournament anglers Yes No _____________ 3. How much did your group (those traveling in your vehicle) spend on the following items on this specific Sam Rayburn tournament trip? Please include total expenses for your entire group, as reflected in your response to Question 2. Within the counties surrounding Sam Rayburn (Refer to map) Elsewhere in Texas a. Automobile transportation (fuel, car rental, repairs, etc) $ $ b. Other transportation (airplane, etc.) $ $ c. Boat rental $ $ d. Boat operation (fuel, oil, service, etc.) $ $ e. Boat launch fees $ $ f. Entrance or parking fees $ $ g. Lodging (hotel, camp site, resort rental, etc.) $ $ h. Restaurant meals $ $ i. Groceries (food, drink, ice, etc.) $ $ j. Bait and tackle (purchased during this trip) $ $ k. Fishing guide fees $ $ l. Fishing license $ $ m. Tournament entry fee $ $ n. Other expenses (please list below) $ $ $ $ $ $ If you traveled from another state, how much did you spend outside Texas? $ 4. How much more money would you have spent (over the total costs in Question 3) before the cost would have prevented you from making this trip to fish in this Sam Rayburn tournament? $_______________ Many anglers also spend considerable time practice fishing for tournaments. For study purposes, we are defining practice fishing as days spent specifically preparing for this tournament on separate trip(s) prior to your actual tournament trip. To ensure that we get the most accurate economic estimates, please answer questions 5-7 with days solely attributed to practice fishing for this specific tournament in mind. 5. How many total days, NOT including the days you reported in Question 1, did you spend practice fishing at Sam Rayburn prior to the trip for this tournament? ____________Day(s) 6. Did the following people travel with you in the same vehicle on the practice days you reported in Question 5? (Circle one) If "YES" how many people? If “YES” how many practice days Spouse Yes No Children Yes No Friends/other family Yes No Other tournament anglers Yes No 7. How much did your group (those traveling in your vehicle) spend on the following items on the practice days you reported in Question 5? Please include total expenses for your entire group, as reflected in your response to Question 6. Within the counties surrounding Sam Rayburn (See map below) Elsewhere in Texas a. Automobile transportation (fuel, car rental, repairs, etc) $ $ b. Other transportation (airplane, etc.) $ $ c. Boat rental $ $ d. Boat operation (fuel, oil, service, etc.) $ $ e. Boat launch fees $ $ f. Entrance or parking fees $ $ g. Lodging (hotel, camp site, resort rental, etc.) $ $ h. Restaurant meals $ $ i. Groceries (food, drink, ice, etc.) $ $ j. Bait and tackle (purchased during this trip) $ $ k. Fishing guide fees $ $ l. Fishing license $ $ m. Other expenses (please list below) $ $ $ $ $ $ If you traveled from another state, how much did you spend outside Texas? $ 8. Overall, how satisfied are you with tournament fishing at Sam Rayburn? (Circle one) Not at all Satisfied Slightly Satisfied Moderately Satisfied Very Satisfied Extremely Satisfied 1 2 3 4 5 9. If you selected NOT AT ALL SATISFIED with tournament fishing at Sam Rayburn, please explain why? 10. Do you have access to the Internet? (Circle one). 1 Yes 2 No If YES, we are increasingly using the Internet as another way to communicate with anglers. Would you be willing to provide us with your e-mail address to receive a copy of the economic study results? (Circle one). 1 Yes (If YES, what is your e-mail? ________________________________) 2 No 11. Did the person to whom this survey was addressed complete the survey? (Circle one) 1 Yes 2 No 12. What is the zip code at your permanent residence__________________________ 13. Please use this space to provide us with any comments you may have. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please return the completed questionnaire in the enclosed postage-paid reply envelope. Texas Parks and Wildlife Attn: Todd Driscoll Rt. 2 Box 535 Jasper, TX 75951 E-mail todd3d@jas.net (409) 384-9572 Dear : As you probably know, demand for water continues to increase as the population and economy of Texas grows. Water is used for many things such as power generation, municipal or commercial use, agriculture, and recreation. Every five years, regional planning groups update recommendations regarding how the water resources of Texas will be allocated in the future. Information gained from this questionnaire will document the economic importance of recreational angling at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and economic impacts to local communities. In the future, these values can be important information used by decision makers when addressing water allocation and fishery management issues. During a fishing trip you were asked by one of our Texas Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries staff to participate in the economic research we are conducting at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Enclosed is a questionnaire that has only been issued to a sample of Sam Rayburn Reservoir anglers. Your cooperation is extremely important to the completion of this research. Your answers will not be connected with your name and all information you provide will remain strictly confidential. Please take the time to complete this questionnaire and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you should have any questions, please contact us by mail, e-mail or phone using information provided on the final page of the survey. Sincerely, Phil Durocher Director, Inland Fisheries During a trip to Sam Rayburn you were asked by one of our staff to participate in this survey. For questions 1-5 please tell us about that particular trip. Your answers to the questions in this survey will not be connected to your name and will remain confidential. 1. How many total days did you spend on this fishing trip to Sam Rayburn? __________ Day(s) 2. What specific fish species or group were you targeting on this fishing trip to Sam Rayburn? Please circle just one. If multiple species were targeted during the fishing trip, circle the one you spent most time targeting. Black bass Hybrid striped bass/white bass Catfish Sunfish Crappie Anything Other (please list) _______________________ 3. Did the following people travel with you in the same vehicle on this trip to Sam Rayburn? (Circle one) If "YES" how many people? Spouse Yes No _____________ Children Yes No _____________ Friends/other family Yes No _____________ 4. How much did your group (those traveling in your vehicle) spend on the following items on this fishing trip to Sam Rayburn? Please include total expenses for your entire group, as reflected in your response to Question 3. Within the counties surrounding Sam Rayburn (Refer to map) Elsewhere in Texas c. Automobile transportation (fuel, car rental, repairs, etc) $ $ d. Other transportation (airplane, etc.) $ $ k. Boat rental $ $ l. Boat operation (fuel, oil, service, etc.) $ $ m. Boat launch fees $ $ n. Entrance or parking fees $ $ o. Lodging (hotel, camp site, resort rental, etc.) $ $ p. Restaurant meals $ $ q. Groceries (food, drink, ice, etc.) $ $ r. Bait and tackle (purchased during this trip) $ $ k. Fishing guide fees $ $ l. Fishing license $ $ m. Other expenses (please list below) $ $ $ $ $ $ If you traveled from another state, how much did you spend outside Texas? $ 5. How much more money would you have spent (over the total costs in Question 4) before the cost would have prevented you from making this trip to fish Sam Rayburn? $_______________ 6. Overall, how satisfied are you with fishing in general at Sam Rayburn? (Circle one) Not at all Satisfied Slightly Satisfied Moderately Satisfied Very Satisfied Extremely Satisfied 1 2 3 4 5 7. If you selected NOT AT ALL SATISFIED with fishing at Sam Rayburn, please explain why? 8. Do you have access to the Internet? (Circle one). 1 Yes 2 No If YES, we are increasingly using the Internet as another way to communicate with anglers. Would you be willing to provide us with your e-mail address to receive a copy of the economic study results? (Circle one). 1 Yes (If YES, what is your e-mail? ________________________________) 2 No 9. Did the person to whom this survey was addressed complete the survey? (Circle one) 1 Yes 2 No 10. What is the zip code at your permanent residence__________________________ 11. Please use this space to provide us with any comments you may have.