Are green lots worth more than brown lots? An economic incentive control on residential developments

Construction sires are major contributors ro nonpoint source (NPS) pollutio n. However a lack of personnel to enforce erosion control regulations and l imited voluntary compliance means that few developers apply effective erosi on control Neu, approaches are needed to increase erasion control on constr uction sites if this source of NPS pollution is to be significantly reduced This study rests whether nil economic advantage exists for developers who use vegetative cover for erosion control, independent advantages gained in addressing environmental or regulatory concerns. Improving residential lot appearance from muddy brown to green grass may increase the appeal of the l ot to buyers. A market survey shows that homebuyers and realtors perceive v egetated lots to be worth more than unvegetated lots, and this increased va lue exceeds the cost of seeding. Thus, developers can now be encouraged to invest in vegetative cover because of the potentially high return on the in vestment.