ABSTRACT:
Property taxes on cropland in three Wisconsin townships were reduced when landowners controlled soil erosion. It was hypothesized that a property tax incentive would motivate a high percentage of landowners to implement conservation. Landowners assumed responsibility for all implementation expenses. After three years, the percentage of cropland adequately protected from erosion increased from 49.8 to 85.6% in the treatment area. Cropland adequately protected in a control area remained constant at about 64%. Soil displacement in the treatment townships declined 72.4%. Farmers selected low-cost, management-oriented conservation practices to become eligible for program participation. Program implementation costs for administration and technical assistance were lower than expected. Annual costs for the five-year program were estimated at $13,400.
Footnotes
Jerry R. Griswold is a soil conservationist with the Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4601 Hammersley Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711.
- Copyright 1987 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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