RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Conservation credit: Motivating landowners to implement soil conservation practices through property tax credit
JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
FD Soil and Water Conservation Society
SP 41
OP 45
VO 42
IS 1
A1 Jerry R. Griswold
YR 1987
UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/42/1/41.abstract
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.