A Comparison of CVM and Point Allocation Approaches to Estimating Nonuse Values for Wilderness Areas

Both point allocation and total and use values for wilderness designation in Utah were compared to examine use and nonuse values. Results indicated that use, option value, existence value, and bequest value statistically have almost identical allocations across groups favoring wilderness in general, the Bureau of Land Management proposal for wilderness, and the Utah Wilderness Coalition proposal. However, when the difference between total and use values calculated from willingness-to-pay measures is compared to the point allocations, there does not appear to be a consistent relationship between use and nonuse values; that is, option value cannot clearly be defined as either use or nonuse