Community mitigation preferences : a choice modelling study of Auckland streams

Abstract

The principal aim of this project was to apply choice modelling as a tool for development of offsetting mitigation assessment in two locations within the Auckland metropolitan area. Surveyed individuals were presented with a description of status quo conditions on two streams. Two alternatives to the status quo were also presented. In each of the alternatives the condition of the stream in a relatively natural state declined in some way, while improvements were made to conditions on the other, degraded stream. People therefore had the option of improving quality of the degraded stream, but only at the cost of degradation to the natural stream. Survey participants could choose the status quo or one of the alternatives, and were asked to report their preferred option. Each outcome was described in terms of water clarity, native fish species abundance, fish habitat, vegetation, and channel shape. Information on people's choices was then used to derive estimates of money value that attach to the environmental outcomes associated with mitigation. Estimates of mitigation effectiveness were also developed in non-monetary terms. Both monetary and non-monetary estimates provide managers with information on the relative value of a given attribute.