Economic Benefits of Healthy Watersheds
6/20/26 – The EPA has published a nationwide study of studies focused on quantifying the economic benefits of healthy watersheds. This 9-page PDF provides a high-level introduction to the EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Program.
The fact sheet also provides dozens of timely examples that support preserving 5,300 acres west of Kingwood instead of developing it.
The studies fall into six categories:
- Lower water treatment costs
- Reduced costs associated with flood protection and other natural hazards
- Improving food supply through hunting, fishing, and foraging
- Promoting recreatin and tourism
- Quality of life and health benefits
- Increased property values
Nationwide Scope, Wide Variety of Metrics
Scientists from Alaska to Florida and New England to Hawaii conducted the 35 studies cited in the fact sheet. They used a wide variety of metrics to estimate economic benefits. See several examples below.
In Iowa, riparian buffers for agricultural land reduced water treatment costs in the Raccoon River watershed by 2.63 million annually.
In Maine, forest conservation efforts contributed to such exceptional water quality in the Sebago Lake watershed that Portland Water District has avoided the need for. $150 million water treatment plant, They report a payback of $4.80 to $8.90 per dollar invested.
New York City saved an estimated $8-10 billion in costs to build a water treatment facility by preserving 140,000 acres of forests in the watershed that supplies residents with drinking water.
In Tampa, mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses provide flood-protection benefits valued at $31 million per year by preventing property damage from 100-year floods.
28,000 protected acres of greenway along the Meramec River reduce flood damage by an average of $31 million annually for residents downstream by promoting infiltration and reducing runoff rates.
In Middlebury, Vermont, protected wetlands and floodplains reduce flood damage to homes and businesses by an average of 54-78% per flood event by storing and slowly releasing floodwaters.
These studies are consistent with other studies I have reported. For instance, proximity to parks can increase home values by up to 20%. The parks also provide flood-reduction benefits.
Timely Lessons for Proposed Scarborough Development
The EPA publication provides timely lessons for the entire Lake Houston/Southern Montgomery County Area. A Dallas-based company named Scarborough has proposed developing 5,300 acres in floodplains and floodways west of Kingwood.
According to hydrologists, if Scarborough develops the land, it would be like “aiming a firehose at Humble and Kingwood.” But it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can help save preserve this land, improve water quality in Lake Houston, reduce flooding, increase home values and provide healthy recreational opportunities.
If you haven’t already signed the petition at Change.org to block development of this floodplain property, please do so now. We’re closing in on 10,000 signatures. Both the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court have unanimously passed resolutions against developing the land.
Please help. Join thousands of your neighbors. Sign the petition now.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/20/2026
3217 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
