Tennessee Valley Authority's use of recreational benefits in resource allocation for multiple-purpose water resource projects

This research studied how the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has used recreational benefits in resource allocation for multiple-purpose water resource projects. Procedures used in answering this question were: (1) a literature review consisting of (a) pertinent information involving methods for the estimation of recreational benefits, (b) tracing of the Federal Government's steps in the legitimization of recreational benefits as a major project purpose, and (c) independent research; (2) a presentation of key facts found in the benefit-cost studies made by TVA and other Federal agencies which have used recreational benefits; (3) analysis of TVA's and other Federal agencies' use of set guidelines; (4) a comparison of demand and value measurements calculated by TVA and other Federal agencies. Results of the study indicated that TVA has used their own methods in determining the demand and value measurements for recreational benefits. A comparison of demand and value measurements could not be made between TVA and other Federal agencies reservoir projects because no criteria of this kind could be obtained.