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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236619
Title: Integrating economic and environmental factors using models and stakeholder participation in a performance based incentive program

Author
item Baffaut, Claire
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item ROBERT, BROZ - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2009
Publication Date: 9/14/2009
Citation: Baffaut, C., Anderson, S.H., Broz, R.R. 2009. Integrating economic and environmental factors using models and stakeholder participation in a performance based incentive program [abstract]. In: From dust Bowl to Mud Bowl: Sedimentation, Conservation measures and the Future of Resevoirs, September 14-16, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri. p. 52. Available: http://www.swcs.org/documents/filelibrary/sedimentation/Sediment_Program_FINAL_web_A40C2200C17B7.pdf

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Producers’ awareness of the potential losses from their operation could increase if a targeting process is developed to identify fields that require improvement and encourage implementation of best management practices. While rill erosion is clearly visible, sheet erosion is not as evident to detect. Nutrient losses become visible only downstream and in reservoirs when excess nutrients cause eutrophication. Pesticide losses are only detectable by measurement of compound concentrations. The objective of this presentation is to present how a performance based incentives program integrates social, economic, and environmental factors to encourage implementation of better practices, target them where they are most needed, and quantify the resulting improvement. Stakeholders of the Goodwater Creek watershed developed recommendations for a performance based incentive program designed to reduce pesticide loadings. It relies on a field-level pesticide index tested and validated using flow and water quality data at the field and watershed scales. Stakeholder input was obtained to decide eligibility criteria and desired improvement. Modeling and economic analyses will be conducted to determine the number of acres necessary to obtain the desired improvement in the stream and to establish an appropriate payment level. While the program is not implemented yet and funds are being sought for finalizing the program and making payments, one positive result of the process has been increased participation from producers to develop these recommendations. They were interested in participating in a program that provides feedback on their individual operation (field or farm level performance measure) and reward for good stewardship (payment). We expect that the result would be similar in other watersheds and with other pollutants.