Client: Florida Inland Navigation District
Completion Date: Ongoing (1997-2006)
The purpose of this analysis was to document the economic impacts of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) in Florida. This study documented the detailed calculations of the economic impacts of the AIWW in each of the 12 counties along the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Prior to conducting the analysis, an initial data search was performed to determine data availability and any necessary modifications to the methodology for each county. 
This task included (1) meeting with representatives of each county's assessor's office to determine the quality and availability of property value data; (2) identification of marinas, boats and persons knowledgeable about the local marine industry; (3) development of a database of marine related businesses within each county; and (4) identification by name, location and type of boating activities of all private and public boat launches for the conduct of boater interviews.
The detailed calculation of the economic impacts of the AIWW was performed for current conditions and two future scenarios. One scenario assumed there would be a cessation of maintenance dredging resulting in vessel draft restrictions of three feet MLW and the other assumed a higher level of maintenance that would result in vessel draft restrictions of 10 feet MLW. To accomplish this, marine related businesses were identified and interviewed. In addition, registered boat owners were surveyed by mail to determine their current recreational spending patterns. The data base developed from the industry interviews and boat owner surveys was used in the calculation of the direct economic impacts of the AIWW. An IMPLAN economic impact model was used to simulate the local economy to estimate the total economic impact of the AIWW and the results were presented in a final report and a brochure that highlighted significant findings for the public.
