1.1 Purpose. This chapter describes procedures for conducting Human Use and Economic Evaluation (HUEE). HUEE, when used in conjunction with Habitat Evaluation Procedures (870 FW 1), provide a means for determining the extent of human use of fish and wildlife and the dollar value of that use.
1.2 Responsibilities.
A. The Assistant Director - Ecological Services establishes habitat evaluation policy, standards, and guidance. The Assistant Director is assisted by the Division of Habitat Conservation which considers all comments concerning effectiveness of policy and standards for meeting objectives and recommends or makes appropriate changes through the Assistant Director.
B. Regional Directors are responsible for ensuring Regional compliance with provisions of this chapter.
1.3 Procedures.
A. Changes in habitat may increase or reduce wildlife populations available for human consumptive or nonconsumptive uses. HUEE procedures provide a means for determining both the extent of human uses of wildlife and the dollar value of these uses. The procedures incorporate a concern for wildlife by giving special attention to the levels of use that wildlife can tolerate. The procedures were developed and are intended for use in conjunction with Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP). HEP displays the impacts on the biological resources and HUEE converts these impacts on habitat and species into effects on projected human use of these populations. Although data produced by a HUEE analysis are used primarily to compare the effects of proposed actions on human uses of wildlife, the data also may be used in benefit/cost analyses. HEP and HUEE, together with the Habitat Suitability Models, provide a complete set of procedures for field staff to use in making assessments that involve wildlife resources.
B. The Unit Day Value (UDV) procedures may be used to develop a systematic evaluation of the uses of wildlife. UDV can be used if less precise values are acceptable and substantial documentation is not needed. The application of more advanced methods such as the Travel Cost Method (TCM) or the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) produce more statistically reliable values. The information and data generated by applying one more of the advanced methods are more extensive than data generated by UDV procedures and also provide substantial documentation.
C. The HUEE procedures are designed for use by field staff assigned to evaluate the impacts of water and non-water resource development projects. These procedures may be applied in field studies without the assistance of economists or recreation planners. However, application of advanced methods such as TCM or CVM may require the assistance of a specialist, such as an economist or recreation planner. This assistance may be obtained from the lead planning agency, other Federal or State agencies, specialists within the Service, universities, or private consultants.
1.4 Handbook. The Service HUEE Handbook (no longer in effect) (formerly 104 ESM, Revised August 1985) is issued by the Assistant Director - Ecological Services. It contains HUEE implementation guidance.