Featured Projects
Indian Water Rights Settlements Case Studies
For the Department of Interior, Secretary’s Indian Water Rights Office, Ms. Israel conducted a study of the economic benefits of Indian Water Right Settlements. Using a case study approach focused on enacted settlements, this analysis described economic impacts and net benefits of the implementation of enacted settlements for tribes and non-tribal communities. Ms. Israel interviewed tribal representatives and other knowledgeable stakeholders to understand the timing and details of settlement actions and the outcomes associated with the one of the settlements. Her efforts included oversight of subcontractors conducting other case studies, and synthesizing the results of the case studies into a comprehensive report.
Economic Impact of SE Corals Critical Habitat Designation
For the National Marine Fisheries Service, Ms. Israel prepared an economic impact analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation for five Southeast Corals in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The analysis provided data to assist decision makers in determining whether the benefits of excluding areas from designation outweigh the benefits of inclusion. Ms. Israel evaluated potential changes to a variety of affected activities including fisheries management, aquaculture, coastal and in-water construction, water quality management, protected area management, and shoreline protection activities. To understand permitted activities occurring in the areas being considered for designation, Ms. Israel conducted outreach with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state and county agencies. Her efforts include designing cost models to estimate economic impacts, and conducting research into industry and regional trends to provide context for analysis.
Sector Analysis to Support Marine Spatial Planning in Washington
Ms. Israel led an effort to prepare a series of industry sector analysis reports in support of the State’s Marine Spatial Planning efforts. Sectors included Aquaculture, Marine Renewable Energy, and Recreation and Tourism sectors. Ms. Israel conducted outreach to knowledgeable experts and agency contacts in these sectors to discuss the status, economics, issues, trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industries regionally. Based on information collected, she developed reports to help the relevant state agencies, Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) and stakeholders understand the current status, expected trends and the regional economic impacts associated with particular sectors of human activity in the marine environment. The reports synthesized the findings, including any data gaps or limitations, and provided economic information that fed into a subsequent coast-wide economic analysis. Ms. Israel presented the results of these analyses to the WCMAC and the public.
