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Engaging volunteers in trail development. Peter F. Orazem Department of Economics, Iowa State University Ames City Council. Can Volunteers build trails?. Unskilled Short-term commitment Physical Labor Model: Civilian Conservation Corps: 1933-1942.
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Engaging volunteers in trail development Peter F. Orazem Department of Economics, Iowa State University Ames City Council
Can Volunteers build trails? • Unskilled • Short-term commitment • Physical Labor Model: Civilian Conservation Corps: 1933-1942
Miles of Roads Built: 125,000Miles of Foot Trails Built: 13,100
Number of Trees Planted: 2-3 billionState Parks Developed: 800Public Campground Development: 52,000 acres
Civilian Conservation Corps: 1933-1942 3 million men aged 18-25 70% malnourished 11% high school graduates 55% rural "We Can Take It!" http://www.texascccparks.org/archive/CCC-manual-48-49/
CCC workers constructing a road, 1933. Source: U.S. Forest Service: CCC crew clearing a roadside, Boise National Forest, Idaho Photo of crew excavating prior to forming Siphon No. 5 intake. North Platte Project, Bayard, Nebraska. CCC Boys Laying Cable Photo courtesy of the National Park Service http://www.guidetosnp.com/web/Extras/CivilianConservationCorps.aspx
Why don’t we resurrect the CCC ? Source: National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/wica/historyculture/ccc-changing-lives.htm
Why don’t we resurrect the CCC ? CCC: $30/month ~$500/month +R&B 7,600 injury reports 10 deaths in 6 years in Massachusetts Current Davis-Bacon rate for laborers: $11.70/hour or ~2100/month Americorp: $900-$1200/month + school supplement upon completion
Why Should the Government Invest in Trails? Private Sector Undersupplies Public Goods Why Should the State or Federal Government Invest in Local Trails? Spillover Benefits Cause Localities to Undersupply Public Goods
If you build it, will they come?: Fiscal federalism, local provision of public tourist amenities, and the Vision Iowa Fund The Review of Regional Studies 2013 Austin Quackenbush Deepak Premkumar Georgeanne M. Artz Peter F. Orazem Iowa State University
Community Attraction & Tourism (CAT) — CAT supports projects that promote recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment attractions that are available to the general public.
Dubuque (Population 57,686)Applicant: City of Dubuque & Dubuque County Historical Society Project Name: America’s River at the Port of Dubuque Date of Award: 4/11/2001 Total Project Cost: $108,580,858 Amount Requested: $65,000,000 Amount Awarded: $40,000,000 Project Description: This initiative is a joint venture of the City of Dubuque, the Dubuque County Historical Society’s Mississippi River Museum, and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. Once complete, the project will feature a Mississippi River Discovery Center, the Mississippi River National Education Center and Conference Center, the River walk and amenities, and the Riverfront Hotel and Indoor Water park.
Vision Iowa Redistributed Casino Revenues 2001-2008: 393 projects in 94 counties
The Vision Iowa Program (in million $) State Sales Tax Return = 11.8% Local Sales Tax Return = 1.2%
How Could Ames, IA use Volunteers to Expand its Trail System and Why Should it?
Current Ames Trail System: Utilitarian, not Recreational
Possible Example: Trail from North Dakota Avenue to Emma McCarthy Lee Park
Possible Example: Trail from North Dakota Avenue to Emma McCarthy Lee Park
Issues: Can we get volunteers? Greek Week: 2200 Destination Iowa State: 5000 National Special Olympics: 8000 Veishea Service Day: 500 Requires great planning
Issues :Legal Property rights Easements Insurance and liability DNR requirements Indiana bats Conservation Easement Federal Grants Davis Bacon State Historic Preservation review
Issues: Cost per 100 ft of trail* Materials: 28T crushed rock/100 ft $137.20 if recycled concrete $376.60 virgin rock Savings from not having to landfill and recycling Labor: Site preparation: 3 workers, $72.47 per 100 ft Laying rock: 5 workers, $140.09 per 100 ft Equipment: $205 per 100 ft Total: $559.76 per 100ft Potential Savings: ~$330/100 ft 59% lower variable cost Fixed costs: Engineering and Planning—Iowa Trails and DNR could have standardized designs and procedures to lower costs. Plans need to incorporate training volunteers. * crushed rock trail 6 inches thick and 8 feet wide