摘要：This research considers whether the principles developed to analyze the optimaljurisdiction for producing public goods can be applied in cases where regulations of privateactivities provide the primary means to deliver different amounts of public and quasi-publicgoods. The analysis evaluates how devolution affects the development of benefit cost analysesfor regulations and the role of economic versus environmental factors in defining the extent ofthe regulatory market. Using a study of nutrient control for the Neuse River in NorthCarolina, the analysis develops area specific measures of the benefits and costs of regulationsand illustrates how changes in the composition of the areas allowed to "count" for policydesign can affect decisions about the levels of control judged to meet the net benefit test.
关键词：environmental federalism; benefit-cost analysis; nutrient control
