@article {Herzog43, author = {M. Herzog and J. Harbor and K. McClintock and J. Law and K. Bennett}, title = {Are green lots worth more than brown lots? An economic incentive for erosion control on residential developments}, volume = {55}, number = {1}, pages = {43--49}, year = {2000}, publisher = {Soil and Water Conservation Society}, abstract = {Construction sites are major contributors to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. However, a lack of personnel to enforce erosion control regulations and limited voluntary compliance means that few developers apply effective erosion control. New approaches are needed to increase erosion control on construction sites if this source of NPS pollution is to be significantly reduced. This study tests whether an economic advantage mists for developers who use vegetative cover for erosion control, independent of advantages gained in addressing environmental or regulatory concerns. Improving residential lat appearance from muddy brown to green grass may increase the appeal of the lot to buyers. A market survey shows that homebuyers and realtors perceive vegetated lots to be worth more than unvegetated lots, and this increased value exceed the cost of seeding. Thus, developers can now be encouraged to invest in vegetative cover because of the potentially high return on the investment.}, issn = {0022-4561}, URL = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/55/1/43}, eprint = {https://www.jswconline.org/content/55/1/43.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation} }