A look at the Numbers
The Economic Benefits of Salmon

The following is an excerpt from PPF's position regarding Burlingame Bridge before the Shorelines Hearings Examiner by Eloise Kailin, PPF Secretary.

A survey conducted for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service by Southwick Associates, titled "The Economic Impacts of Hunting, Sport Fishing and Non-consumptive Recreation in Washington, 1991" states that 1991 sport fishing generated an estimated $802.1 million in retail sales for travel, fishing equipment and other expenses related to fishing. Other benefits included $412.2 million in total salaries and wages, 27,200 jobs, $112.5 million in total state and Federal tax revenues, and an astonishing $1.4 billion in total economic effects.

Non-consumptive wildlife-associated recreational activities produced $354.4 million in retail sales, generated $475.3 million in total economic effects, supported 7,900 jobs, yielded $150.8 million in household income, and generated $29.2 million in State and $14.1 million in Federal tax revenues.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife last year did a random survey of 801 Washington State citizens. "Protection and enhancement was given as the first priority by 64% of the respondents and opportunities to view and understand wildlife was given as second priority by 48% of respondents. Combined, 85% of the respondents named protection and enhancement as their first or second priority and 66% named opportunities to view and understand wildlife as first or second." Asked if they would support greater protection efforts in the face of increased taxes, ($25 to 200 per household; a single tax value was randomly chosen and asked of a given respondent), the response was: "Approximately 3/4 of the respondents would support such effort for an annual tax increase of $100 or less; but the proportion drops significantly to approximately 2/3 for an annual tax increase of $200.

The latest (draft) survey of the economics of wildlife... puts the economic output in Washington State for 1996 at
$1,358,381,838. It is responsible for 16,713 full time equivalent jobs. The IAC Assessment and Policy Plan 1990-1995 points out that in Region One (ours) the region's households create 9% of the state's demand for fishing activity. This translates to a much needed infusion of out of area dollars, dependent on the possibility of catching a fish. Fish and wildlife are a most valuable resource and are fast becoming unique.

We can safely conclude that restoration of river habitat for salmon and wildlife is a very high priority for the citizens of Clallam County and of the state.

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