Measuring the Economic Damages from 
Oil Spills in Maine's Marine Economy

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Rubin
Co-principal investigators: Deirdre M. Mageean & Kevin Boyle

Portland, Maine has the third largest crude oil port on the East Coast. As such, there is a real possibility that Maine could face a severe spill along its coast. An oil spill that spreads through the marine environment can result in very severe ecological and economic damage.

Beginning in 2003, The Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy will begin a two year research project that will enhance Maine's ability to evaluate the full economic impact of both small and large oil spills on recreation and tourism. 

The research will:

1. Develop a conceptual framework to identify the data needs for developing oil spill damage estimate. 

2. Identify the recreation and tourism activities that are likely to be affected by oil spills.

3. Develop a long-term strategy for the State of Maine to fill in data gaps on use rates and economic values for each activity identified above. 

This project is funded by the Maine Oil Spill Advisory Committee (MOSAC) through Maine Sea Grant Program. The mission of the Maine Oil Spill Advisory Commission is to monitor the opportunities and constraints of scientific, engineering and technical advances in spill response and prevention techniques in order to make recommendations to the Department of Environmental Protection. 

For additional information concerning this research project, please contact the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy at (207)581-1648 or at mcsc@umit.maine.edu

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Page last updated on November 1, 2002