The influence of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program on local water quality

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is the primary conservation program on working agricultural land. United States Department of Agriculture obligated over $15 billion through EQIP cost-sharing contracts during fiscal years 2009–2019. voluntary nature and lack performance assessment have led to speculations regarding effectiveness in delivering environmental benefits, particular for improving water quality. This study provides quantitative estimates influence payments local quality at a national scale. We link monitoring station level readings with contract data exploit direction river flow identification. estimated effects vary across measures. Estimates indicate that significantly reduced biochemical oxygen demand nitrogen, indicating improvements quality, but increased total suspended solids, fecal coliform, phosphorus, suggesting implementation certain practices might soil erosion pathogen transfer, especially watersheds more production.