Valuing wild salmon and steelhead recovery in Oregon’s most urbanized watershed

We estimate public benefits associated with conserving wild Spring Chinook salmon and Winter Steelhead in Oregon’s Willamette Basin, both listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Using a choice experiment survey, we examine Oregonians’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) through higher taxes to support different recovered fish populations at various recovery timelines. Results indicate substantial non-market benefits, with WTP estimates ranging from $217 to $294 per household annually (2017 US dollars). Aggregating across Oregon households yields total benefits of $103 to $495 million annually for increasing fish populations to de-listing levels according to a recent recovery plan. The choice experiment results and a separate discounting model reveal a relatively low public discount rate of 0.6% for future recovery benefits, suggesting strong support for multidecadal conservation efforts and consideration of intergenerational outcomes in household conservation decision-making. Survey debriefing questions indicate significant bequest values, with most respondents prioritizing impacts on future generations when making their choices. Our findings quantify the public value placed on wild salmon and steelhead recovery in the Willamette Basin and provide information for policymakers and conservation organizations to gauge public support for watershed programs designed to improve conditions for these iconic species.