Funding Nature-Based Solutions: Forestland and Water Quality Nexus

Abstract

Ecosystem services are being degraded in part due to their lack of inclusion in economic decision making. Payment for ecosystem service (PES) programs can be utilized to protect both forest land cover and its impact on water quality and flow. In the Upper Oconee River watershed in Georgia USA, such an incentive program would link forest landowner’s supply of clean water to prevented increased expenditures for local water utilities who could then use these savings to fund forestland best management practices. This project was developed through four phases, 1) Literature and Case Study Review of water-based PES programs and ecosystem valuation, 2) Interviews and surveys with Oconee stakeholders, 3) Stakeholder analysis using PMID framework, 4) Spatial analysis identifying HUC10 watersheds to prioritize in a pilot program. Key findings include a roadmap for the structure, pricing mechanism, legal instrument and stakeholder involvement design that fits the local context and ensures successful implementation.