The welfare policy implications of these results corroborate
public opinion polls within Maryland that indicate residents
are concerned with local water quality within tributaries and
sub-watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, as indicated by their
willingness to pay annual fees to improve water quality. Local
policy decisions that adversely impact water quality within
the St. Mary's River watershed may result in a decline in
welfare or net benefits to the local property owners within the
watershed, in terms of changes in their total willingness-topay
or property values. Given this study's significant results, it
is important that the value of the benefits of maintaining local
watershed environmental services, be included in land use
planning decisions within the watershed.