Research Webinar: The Economics of Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Champlain and Vermonters' Willingness to Pay

This webinar explores the increasing frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Champlain, driven by climate change and agricultural nutrient runoff. In this video, researchers present findings on the average amount Vermont residents are willing to pay—$38.48 per person annually—to reduce phosphorus loading and mitigate these blooms. We discuss how this public willingness can guide policymakers in adjusting car registration and water bill fees to raise up to $18.67 million per year, funding the initiatives supporting the EPA’s 2015-2030 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals for phosphorus reduction. This approach offers a potential model for other regions experiencing harmful algal blooms as a result of urbanization, deforestation, and agricultural expansion.