The chief ranger of the state's Department of Natural Resources is considering a new plan for fighting forest fires in the state's forest lands. The current plan uses eight fire-control stations, which are scattered throughout the interior of the state forest. Each station has a four-person staff, whose annual compensation totals $200,000. Other costs of operating each base amount to $100,000 per year. The equipment at each base has a current salvage value of $120,000. The buildings at these interior stations have no other use. To demolish them would cost $10,000 each.
The chief ranger is considering an alternative plan, which involves four fire-control stations located on the perimeter of the state forest. Each station would require a six-person staff, with annual compensation costs of $300,000. Other operating costs would be $110,000 per base. Building each perimeter station would cost $200,000. The perimeter bases would need helicopters and other equipment costing $500,000 per station. Half of the equipment from the interior stations could be used at the perimeter stations. Therefore, only half of the equipment at the interior stations would be sold if the perimeter stations were built.
The state uses a 10 percent hurdle rate for all capital projects.
Required:
1. Use the total-cost approach to prepare a net-present-value analysis of the chief ranger's two fire-control plans. Assume that the interior fire-control stations will be demolished if the perimeter plan is selected. The chief ranger has decided to use a 10-year time period for the analysis.
2. What qualitative factors would the chief ranger be likely to consider in making this decision?