Is Geographical Targeting Cost-Effective?
Author InfoWanhong Yang Madhu Khanna Richard Farnsworth Hayri Onal Abstract This paper uses economic, hydrologic, and GIS modeling to assess the effectiveness of the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in the Lower Sangamon watershed. Our results show that for a representative five-year storm event, the acres currently enrolled in the program result in a 12% reduction in sediment loading, which is below the program goal of 20% and four times the least-cost solution. We also analyze the design of alternative rental payment instruments for improving the cost-effectiveness of geographical targeting for land retirement. Policy implications for the characteristics of the land parcels that should be targeted for enrollment in the program are discussed. Copyright 2005 American Agricultural Economics Association Download InfoTo download: If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. Information about this may be containe
