The Drive to Improve Water Quality via Conservation Adoption: Who's at the Wheel and Where Are We Headed?

Abstract

Despite conservation practice (CP) adoption over the last 20 years, less than expected improvement in water quality has led some to question whether farmers are doing enough or have implemented appropriate CPs. As a result, environmental action groups have called for expansion of more restrictive land management measures. Based on the number of lawsuits from non-agricultural against agricultural stakeholders, those affected by water quality impairment feel agriculture has changed little. Much litigation is based on geographically localized concerns, although the broader implications to agriculture are immense. In most cases, litigation has increased divisiveness among stakeholders. Thus, agriculture must advocate sound, sustainable environmental stewardship, which includes metrics that transparently track CP adoption and outcomes. Even though cost-effective CPs are available that decrease nutrient loss under a range of settings, it will be increasingly costly and challenging to decrease losses further to achieve reduction goals to mitigate water quality impairment.