Socially Optimal Agricultural Erosion-Sedimentation Control Considering both Soil Conservation and Water Quality

Frohberg, K.K. & Taylor, C.R. (1979). Socially Optimal Agricultural Erosion-Sedimentation Control Considering both Soil Conservation and Water Quality. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-79-061

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Abstract

Social concern about erosion and sedimentation arises principally from two factors. One factor is the future social costs in the form of reduced productivity that arise from erosion, while the second is the current and to some extent future social costs resulting from sediment pollution. This paper presents a dynamic non-linear optimization model that can be used to determine the socially optimal level of soil conservation when both of the above factors are considered. The objective function in the model is the present value of consumers' plus producers' surplus less off-site sediment damages, over a long planning horizon.

The model is applied to a watershed that is fairly representative of the Corn Belt. Results indicate that substantially more soil conservation than presently occurs is justified from society's viewpoint.

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