The Value of a River

Abstract

Considers limits of economic accounting for environmental services, particularly around non-market value, as part of effort to assess value of natural capital--seen as more plausible context for comparing value. Case focuses on value of river two two groups, indian tribe and utility company, a conflit because same river cannot simultaneously sustain wildlife habitat and drive turbines of a hydropower plant. Two groups attach different values to same resource. Reengineering of the river amounted to a reallocation of resources and caused disturbances among wildlife communities utilized by Indians. This amounted to a reduction in tribe’s natural capital, impoverishing the community. Argue that compensation for the loss coult take form of investments in social and economic infrastructure of the tribe, such as health, education, social services, and preservation of cultural traditions, to help restore the depleted value of tribal institutions.