Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T22:01:16.052Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Evaluation of Agricultural Sediment Control Practices Relative to Water Quality Planning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

Paul D. Robillard
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Michael F. Walter
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Roger W. Hexem
Affiliation:
Economics, Statistics and Cooperatives Service, USDA and the Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Get access

Abstract

Control of sediment has become increasingly important as an element of many water quality improvement programs. An analytical method using the universal soil loss equation and linear programming to determine the cost-effectiveness of alternative sediment control practices is developed. Applications of this method to four case study farms and a hypothetical watershed are analyzed. The analyses illustrate the need for developing priorities so as to achieve greatest reduction in sediment losses per dollar of cost. The costs per unit of sediment reduction vary greatly with area, soil, and strategy or technique used.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alt, K. F. and Heady, E. O. Economics and the Environment: Impacts of Erosion Restraints on Crop Production in the Iowa River Basin. Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Report No. 75, Iowa State University, 1977.Google Scholar
McGrann, J. M. and Meyer, J.Farm-Level Economic Evaluation of Erosion Control and Reduced Chemical Use in Iowa.” Best Management Practices for Agriculture and Silviculture. Loehr, R. C., Haith, D. A., Walter, M. F., and Martin, C. S., eds. pp. 359372. Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Science, 1979.Google Scholar
Onstad, C. A. and Foster, G. R.Erosion Modeling on a Watershed.” American Society of Agricultural Engineers Transactions. 18(1979): 288292.Google Scholar
Renfro, G. W.Use of Erosion Equations and Sediment Delivery Ratios for Predicting Sediment Yield.” Present and Prospective Technology for Predicting Sediment Yields and Sources. USDA ARS-S-40, pp. 3345, 1975.Google Scholar
Schneider, R. R. and Day, R. N. Diffuse Agricultural Pollution: The Economic Analysis of Alternative Controls. Water Resources Center, University of Wisconsin, 1976.Google Scholar
Smith, E. E., Lang, E. A., Casler, G. L., and Hexem, R. W.The Cost-Effectiveness of Soil and Water Conservation Practices for Improvement of Water Quality.” Effectiveness of Soil and Water Conservation Practices for Pollution Control. Haith, D. A. and Loehr, R. C., eds. pp. 147205, EPA-600/3-79-106, Oct. 1979.Google Scholar
Walter, M. F. and Black, R. D. Methodology for Determination of Sediment Yield from Agricultural Land. Dept. Agr. Engr. Ext. Bull. 347, Cornell University, 1979.Google Scholar
White, G. B. and Partenheimer, E. J.The Economic Implications of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans for Selected Pennsylvania Dairy Farms.” Best Management Practices for Agriculture and Silviculture. Loehr, R. C., Haith, D. A., Walter, M. F., and Martin, C. S., eds. pp. 341358. Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Science, 1979.Google Scholar
Wischmeier, W. H. and Smith, D. D. Predicting Rainfall-Erosion Losses from Cropland East of the Rocky Mountains—Guide for Selection of Practices for Soil and Water Conservation. USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 282, 1965.Google Scholar
Wischmeier, W. H. and Smith, D. D. Predicting Rainfall-Erosion Losses—A Guide to Conservation Planning. USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 537, 1978.Google Scholar