Socioeconomic Benefits

Below is a summary of the Bureau of Land Management’s key findings regarding economic benefits and Over The River, as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

• Total economic output generated by Over The River in Colorado would exceed $121 million during the installation, exhibition and demobilization phases. (ROD pg. 2)

• Over 620 jobs will be created; a majority of these hires will be local residents. (Chapter 4-124, 125) Wages paid to these OTR Corp employees will exceed $6.5 million. (Chapter 4-145)

• Total personal income generated by Over The River in Colorado would exceed $25.7 million. (Chapter 4-145)

• “Approximately 75% of total spending on materials and supplies would occur within Colorado, including about $1.5 million of materials that would be purchased within Chaffee and Fremont counties…another $1.6 million of materials would be purchased within El Paso and Pueblo counties.” (Chapter 4-125)

• The local purchase of materials and supplies and spending on wages would stimulate additional economic activity as businesses purchase additional supplies or hire additional workers. In addition, worker spending during installation and removal would create additional jobs and income. (Chapter 4-126)

• The total economic output resulting from installation and demobilization activities would amount to about $25.8 million within Fremont, Chaffee, Pueblo and El Paso counties, including about $8.9 million in personal income. An additional $38.7 million of economic output, including $2.7 million of personal income, would be created in other areas of the state. (Chapter 4-126)

• Total economic output due to visitor spending during exhibition is estimated to be about $50.0 million, including $22.2 million in Fremont and Chaffee counties and $27.8 million in Pueblo and El Paso counties. “Visitor spending would stimulate a number of short‐term, temporary employment opportunities.” (Chapter 4-128)

• The rafting industry is expected to see an increase of more than $3.4 million in revenue during the installation, exhibition and demobilization phases of the project, as well as an additional $863,000 increase in employee earnings. (Chapter 4-145)

• About $1.6 million in additional sales tax revenue would be generated, including $969,000 in local and $610,000 in state sales tax revenues. (Chapter 4-145)

• All Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Areas and developed recreation sites would remain open for recreational access during exhibition. (BLM news release: July 28, 2011)