Evaluating Nonpoint Pollution Policy Using a Tightly Coupled Spatial Decision Support System |
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Authors: | DAVID A BENNETT ANDREW J VITALE |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Indiana 52242, USA, US;(2) Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, Illinois 62701, USA, US |
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Abstract: | Policy makers often must rely on the cumulative impact of independent actions taken by local landowners to achieve environmental
goals. The connection between policy, regulation, and local action, however, is often not well understood and, thus, the impact
of proposed policies may be difficult to predict. In this study we evaluate the effectiveness of alternative policy scenarios
for agricultural set aside programs (e.g., the conservation reserve program administered by the United States Department of
Agriculture) in reducing nonpoint pollution. Two alternative policy scenarios are developed and analyzed; one based on the
erodibility index (detachment), the other sediment yield (transport). An estimate of the cumulative impact of associated land
use change on nonpoint pollution is made using the AGNPS distributed parameter watershed model. This work is completed within
the Cypress Creek watershed in southern Illinois. An analysis of the resulting data suggests that the most efficacious regulatory
strategy for achieving nonpoint water pollution goals depends, in part, on place-specific land use patterns. This conclusion
provides a solid argument for place-based regulatory strategies. |
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Keywords: | : Spatial decision support systems Policy evaluation Nonpoint pollution |
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