| The researchers found that New York's recreational boaters spent $2.4 billion in 2003. |
Eecreational boating is one of America's leading pastimes, and thus the assumption is that it's an important economic generator nationwide. But without hard numbers and information on how and where state boaters spend their money and on boaters' priority concerns, coastal resource managers are at a disadvantage when it comes to working with and regulating the industry.
To help fill this information gap in New York, a Sea Grant-funded study measuring the spending of recreational boaters and their impact on the state's economy was recently completed by Cornell University researchers.
"The intent of the study was not only to quantify the impact of boating, but also to provide information that will help managers, planners, and other decision makers make more informed decisions regarding coastal resource use and development," says Jay Tanski, coastal processes and facilities specialist for New York Sea Grant.
The economic data will be used to develop tools that will allow managers to better evaluate the impact of boating on a regional scale.
Following the Money
The researchers found that New York's recreational boaters spent $2.4 billion in 2003, despite poor summer weather, and that recreational boating that year had a total statewide economic impact of $1.8 billion, accounted for approximately 18,700 jobs, and contributed $728 million to labor income.
For boating-trip-related expenditures, such as launching fees, lodging, food, and gas, boaters spent over $431 million statewide. The survey also tabulated how much boaters spent on boat purchases, equipment, repair, insurance, and annual fees associated with the use of marinas and yacht clubs.
While several previous studies in New York have addressed topics related to boating and marinas, no previous study has investigated impacts of boating on either a statewide or regional basis.
Tanski notes that the study figures may be conservative since data indicate bad weather may have impacted boating activity. "That June was one of the wettest on record and the threat of Hurricane Isabel striking New York's marine coast in September resulted in many people pulling their boats early, further shortening the season."
Proving Assumptions
The numbers, conservative or not, prove the generally held assumption that recreational boating has a significant impact on the state's economy, says Dave White, program coordinator for New York Sea Grant.
"There was always anecdotal information that recreational boating had these kinds of numbers," White says, "but without studies to substantiate what you think is happening, your decisions can always be called into question."
He says it's important that when making management decisions, coastal managers know the size of the recreational boating industry in the state, the economic impact to the state's economy, and demographics, trends, and perceptions about current issues affecting the industry.
White notes that the study found the topic of importance to most boaters was dredging to maintain boating access and provide safe navigation. This was followed closely in importance by the establishment of no-discharge zones.
Asking the Right Questions
To make the survey results relevant to the largest number of people, the study was conducted with the aid of an advisory panel of agency and boating industry experts from across the state. "It was important that we had input right from the beginning from a broad range of users and stakeholders, agency and industry representatives, and any others who might use it," Tanski notes.
The panel helped develop a request for proposals, which was sent to 400 institutions nationwide. To pick the best one, Tanski says they relied on an outside technical panel made up of natural resource economists from across the country that reviewed the five proposals that were received.
One of the first steps taken by the researchers at Cornell University was to examine similar survey efforts in surrounding states so that "we could do apple-to-apple comparisons," White says. Studies done in Ohio, Maryland, and Delaware were used as models so that the data could be shared regionally.
An extensive mail survey of 6,000 boaters registered in New York State in 2003 asked about trip- and non-trip-related boating expenditures that year. It also asked about boating activity, interests of boaters, and topics of concern for boaters.
Crossing Borders
The results were examined regionally within the state—the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson and Capital districts, and the New York City/Long Island metropolitan area—as well as statewide.
This regional assessment of the economic impact of recreational boaters is important for coastal managers who "may make decisions regarding coastal resources that might affect those activities,"Tanski says.
The figures do not include spending by transient boaters and others who are not registered in the state. Owners of non-motorized boats, such as kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats, also were not included in the study, since they are not registered by the state.
Projecting It Forward
The last step of the project, Tanski says, is "looking at how to take the study and develop ongoing measurement and monitoring tools to keep the information up to date so that it doesn't just become a snapshot of where we were in 2003."
This includes developing computer tools that can be used to project the data out for the next five years using existing boating statistics kept by the state. These tools should help managers look at the economic impacts of changing boating activity on a regional level.
"We're going to be able to start doing 'what if' scenarios," Tanski says. "What if we let this channel fill in? We will be able to see that this many boats of this size use this area, and what the impacts would be."
Sharing the Results
"Obviously it's very good for New York to have this kind of data," but White says the survey can benefit other states in the region, and is a step towards getting a snapshot of the impacts of recreational boating nationwide.
"The methodology that we used absolutely could be used by other states," agrees Tanski. "As more states do these kinds of studies, a regional and national picture will emerge."
He adds, "It's important to know the impact of any activities that are going on along the coast. Environmental impacts are extremely important, but economic activities also have to be taken into account as we go about the business of developing regulations and policies."
For a downloadable copy of the report, point your browser to http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/coastalgeo/boatingexpenditures03.htm. For more information, contact Jay Tanski at (631) 632-8730 or jjt3@cornell.edu. You also may contact Dave White at (315) 312-3042 or dgw9@cornell.edu.
