ABSTRACT
This chapter examines citizen attitudes concerning free-flowing rivers and provides a measure of the value of a limited public good. Decisions by policy makers frequently are based on constituent attitudes as much or more than expressed market values. Research procedures which measure both attitudes and values for physical use provide policy makers with far more information on which to base decisions. River users were asked questions pertaining to river visitation patterns, recreational activities at the rivers, trip characteristics, and attitudes toward river preservation. Non-users were inclined to assign values based on attitudes although the probability for independence between attitude and bid values was slightly higher regarding the issues of resource quality and future use and access options. The consistency of attitudes and willingness to pay among river users and non-users alike indicates significant strength in opinions expressed.
