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A Summary
In this paper by Terry L. Anderson, PERC recommends market-based policies for a wide range of environmental problems. "It is time to establish a new environmental agenda," says Terry L. Anderson, PERC executive director. "This must be a positive agenda - - one that will provide environmental quality and at the same time restore fiscal responsibility, lift onerous regulation, and promote the fair application of environmental laws."
This paper brings together recommendations from leading market-oriented scholars. In addition to Anderson, they include : John L. Dobra, B. Delworth Gardner, Jeffrey T. LaFrance, Donald R. Leal, Richard L. Stroup, Myles J. Watts, and Bruce Yandle. Among their recommendations for change:
Endangered Species Act: The federal government should compensate private landowners when it imposes habitat management rules that reduce the land's value.
Grazing: Grazing permits should be privatized. The rights can be sold to current permittees at a price equal to or slightly above the discounted present value of current grazing permits.
Farm Bill: Subsidies should be eliminated. If this is politically infeasible, payments should be "decoupled" from production. This will reduce the incentive to farm on risky and erodible land.
The Clean Water Act: Water quality standards should be set locally. River basin management associations should address nonpoint pollution through market trading.
Recreation: People should pay to use the federal lands for recreation. An annual recreation stamp similar to the federal duck stamp for hunting could be the mechanism.
The paper also addresses mining, fisheries, timber management, and Superfund.
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Founded 30 years ago in Bozeman, Montana, PERC—the Property and Environment Research Center—is the nation’s oldest and largest institute dedicated to improving environmental quality through property rights and markets.
PERC’s publications, each designed to resonate with specific groups, move ideas generated at PERC to broader audiences.
Research is at the heart of PERC's work, with a focus on the question: What is the link between economic growth and environmental quality?
The goal of PERC’s programs is to fully realize the vision of establishing “PERC University,” where scholars, students, policy makers, and others convene to expand the applications of free market environmentalism.
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