Wetlands and agriculture: New relationships

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:5852052

Heimlich, R E ^[1]

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1. Dept of Agriculture, Washington, DC (United States)

Despite recent public and presidential attention, wetland losses continue, although at a slightly reduced rate, says E. Heimlich. The first line of defense for wetlands is protecting those that have not yet been converted, he notes, although restoration of former wetlands and creation of new, artificial have roles to play. Government action to protect wetlands can take at least three forms: regulation, acquisition, and incentives; each should be used, he says. The largest potential impact of wetlands preservation on agriculture came in the so-called swampbuster provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act, he notes. This provision eliminates eligibility for government payments to farmers who convert wetlands to cropland, Heimlich says. Thus far, however, few farmers have lost program benefits under the act. A program that could produce favorable response from farmers, Heimlich says, is the agricultural wetland reserve. Under this program, farmers would be paid for easements on previously converted wetlands. This cropland then could be reconverted to wetland.

• OSTI ID: 5852052
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 6:1; ISSN 0887-8218; ISSN FARPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
AGRICULTURE
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOSYSTEMS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
LOSSES
MITIGATION
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
USA
WETLANDS