BTNEP: Barataria Terrebonne National Est

economic development - in this natural fluctuating environment, build a foundation of economic growth on principals that help sustain the estuary rather add to the complex problems of the system

Like other natural resources, the Barataria Terrebonne estuarine system can be viewed as an asset or capital good that produces a stream of services of value to humankind.

Some of these services yield goods that are assigned values in the economic marketplace, such as the products of the commercial fishing, hunting, and trapping, and aquaculture industries. Other estuary services, such as storm protection and tertiary wastewater treatment, are never explicitly purchased and thus are more difficult to value.

Like other natural resources, the Barataria-Terrebonne estuarine system can be viewed as an asset or capital good that produces a stream of services of value to humankind. Some of these services yield goods that are assigned values in the economic marketplace, such as the products of the commercial fishing, hunting, and trapping, and aquaculture industries. Other estuary services, such as storm protection and tertiary wastewater treatment, are never explicitly purchased and thus are more difficult to value.

The estuary supports several major industries, each of which has significant direct and indirect impacts on the regional economy. Additionally, the estuary provides non-market services, such as recreational opportunities, storm protection, and wastewater treatment, that contribute substantial economic benefits to area residents and visitors.

Commercial economic impacts and estimated of the benefits of non-market services are fundamentally different measures of economic value that cannot be summed.

	Nonetheless, the BTNEP program sponsors studies to consider both measures -- as well as recognition of their limitations -- to develop a well founded understanding of the economic importance and value of the Barataria - Terrebonne estuarine system.
	Services provided by the estuary
	Commercial Fishing Hunting and Trapping Forestry Oil and Gas Ship and Boat Building Aquaculture Agriculture Recreational Fishing Recreational Hunting Recreational Wildlife Viewing Recreational Boating Wastewater Storm Protection ( hurricane, storm surge)


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