The Unintended Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program for Air Quality

• Published in: Geohealth Vol. 6; no. 10; pp. e2022GH000648 - n/a
• Main Authors: Becker, Douglas A., Maas, Alexander, Bayham, Jude, Crooks, James
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.10.2022; American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Subjects: agricultural conservation; Agricultural economics; Agriculture; Air pollution; Air quality; Airborne particulates; Drought; fine particulate matter; Mortality; Outdoor air quality; Particulate matter; Wildfires; United States > US; fine particulate matter; agricultural conservation
• ISSN: 2471-1403; 2471-1403
• DOI: 10.1029/2022GH000648

The link between agriculture and air pollution is well‐established, as are the benefits of the US Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). However, little research has linked CRP to air quality directly. This study aims to address this gap by modeling the relationship between CRP and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations at the county level from 2001 to 2016. Several econometric models are estimated with panel data while controlling for drought, population, and wildfire. Results show that CRP has a statistically significant negative effect on PM2.5 concentrations. Using estimates from this model, we project an avoided 1,353 deaths, 1,687 deaths, and 3,022 deaths nationally in 2008 relative to three different counterfactual scenarios: all CRP acreage placed under cultivation, increased drought, and a combination of the first two. The value of the avoided mortality is estimated to be $9.5 billion, $11.8 billion, and $21.2 billion, respectively. These findings provide evidence that CRP may generate economic gains in terms of avoided mortality, well above the cost of the program. Plain Language Summary The USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) holds benefits for soil retention, water quality, and biodiversity. Yet, little is known about how the program preserves air quality. In this study, enrollment in CRP is linked to fine particulate matter concentrations while accounting for drought vulnerability, wildfire intensity, and population. Areas with more CRP were found to have lower fine particulate matter levels. The reduction in particulate matter attributable to CRP translates to a similar reduction in mortality and many billions of dollars saved via those prevented deaths. More research on CRP enrollment, or other agricultural conservation initiatives, and air pollution levels is called for, and policymakers have further evidence to maintain and extend programs such as the CRP. Key Points Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment is associated with lower fine particulate matter concentrations The improved air quality from CRP results in fewer related deaths CRP pays for itself many times over in saved lives from reduced particulate matter