Building a Restoration Economy: Legislation and Practices at the State Level
Conservation Group | Land | Pollution
Also a summary of the above document can be downloaded at Policy Options for State Legislators.
Increasingly, elected leaders are recognizing the economic opportunity of promoting a "Restoration Economy," the development " of economic activities, such as jobs and increased tourist revenues, that stems directly from restoring damaged natural resources. Restoration activities and projects are typically divided into two sectors: restoration of the natural environment, such as ecosystems, watersheds, mining land, and forests, and restoration of the built environment, such as brownfields and superfund sites. Restoring and rehabilitating communities and natural environments is estimated to be a $1.5-$2 trillion a year global investment opportunity.
In 2006, the Western Governor's Association recognized the potential of restoration economy and passed a resolution reaffirming their commitment to the restoration economy and urging Congress and the Administration to invest in restoration. A few months later, in June of 2006, Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer held a Restoration Forum, with the legislature soon allocating $34 million for restoration program development, including a dedicated office of restoration, just one of the most prominent examples of states moving forward on the issue.
