Economic damages from a worst-case oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2-2019
Department
College of Business
Abstract
This paper presents research on the economic damages from a hypothetical worst-case oil spill at the Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Huron and Michigan. This spill could occur because the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline traverses the Straits between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula. We quantify potential economic damages to outdoor recreation, commercial fishing, shipping, residential properties, and energy and water supplies. Damages are estimated for two spill scenarios occurring at the onset of the summer tourism season with extensive shoreline oiling. Using evidence from past spills, economic damages would last for between one and two years and would affect locations on the periphery of the spill area, depending on the activity. We project the loss from the worst-case scenario would be at least $1.3 billion.
Publication Title
Journal of Great Lakes Research
Recommended Citation
Melstrom, R.,
Reeling, C.,
Gupta, L.,
Miller, S.,
Zhang, Y.,
&
Lupi, F.
(2019).
Economic damages from a worst-case oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac.
Journal of Great Lakes Research,
45(6), 1130-1141.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2019.09.003
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/1455