Soil erosion from American cropland poses a problem to society in many ways. Ground and surface water is polluted by chemicals carried on the eroded soil, silt builds up in rivers and other water bodies, soil particles carried by wind pollute the air, and finally there is a decline in the productivity of the remaining cropland soil. The rate that soil is eroded from cropland is directly affected by the type of crops planted, tillage systems used and government agricultural programs. This thesis presents the economic costs of soil erosion from cropland and the private and social benefits that can be obtained by reducing erosion rates. Many conservation programs have been less than effective in controlling erosion levels and some commodity and income programs have actually increased erosion rates. A survey of government policies and their various effects on soil erosion rates is included in this thesis. Alternative government policy options are presented.

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