ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LIMITING NITROGEN USE TO PROTECT WATER-QUALITY - A STOCHASTIC REGIONAL-ANALYSIS

Potential economic and environmental effects of broad versus targeted nitrogen use policies are evaluated in five Central High Plains subreg ions. Results indicate that per-acre restrictions are more effective t han total nitrogen restrictions in reducing expected nitrogen losses i n runoff and percolation, and reducing percolation losses at all proba bility levels. Because of the distribution of soils within subregions, targeting nitrogen reductions to more permeable soils may not produce the anticipated reductions in percolation. It may be more effective t o target nitrogen restrictions on production system than on soil types . Reductions in producer income are less for targeted than for broad p olicies.