| This thesis examines benefits and costs of reclamation of surface-mined coal land in the western United States through the use of mine-site study; the Big Sky Mine in Montana is the mine used. Benefits whose monetary values are estimated include recreation, hydrology, agriculture, and aesthetics. Atmospheric and psychological benefits are also considered. Several estimates of costs are used. Benefits and costs are compared by present value methodology. Benefit-cost ratios are presented, and sensitivity analysis is performed. Although psychological benefits could not be estimated, the annual value of these benefits that would be required to make benefits equal to costs is calculated.;Relevance of benefits and costs at the Big Sky Mine to other western areas is considered. |
