PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jerry R. Griswold TI - Conservation credit: Motivating landowners to implement soil conservation practices through property tax credit DP - 1987 Jan 01 TA - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation PG - 41--45 VI - 42 IP - 1 4099 - http://www.jswconline.org/content/42/1/41.short 4100 - http://www.jswconline.org/content/42/1/41.full AB - 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.