Swampbusting: Wetland Conversion and Farm Programs

Ralph E. Heimlich and Linda L. Langner

No 308005, Agricultural Economic Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Farmers who grow annual crops on converted wetlands, a practice popularly known as swampbusting, will be denied all farm program benefits under the Food Security Act of 1985. Denying price supports to operators converting wetlands can be an effective sanction in some situations, but may be less effective where tax breaks are the main motive for conversion. Although remaining wetlands may be productive if converted, high conversion costs probably make most wetlands unprofitable to convert. Further, the high social value of existing wetlands may outweigh the value of increased agricultural production through conversion, particularly in wetland areas critical for wildlife habitat.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Crop Production/Industries; Environmental Economics and Policy; Land Economics/Use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 39
Date: 1986-08
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerser:308005

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308005

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