There is substantial rationale for strong public programs for soil conservation. In the presence of uncertainty about erosion-yiel4conservation- revenue linkages and the relative importance of soil in future production technologies, government should exercise caution with the productive capacity of soil. Government should protect the option of relying on the soil component of agricultural production. A non-marginal policy change in this area would be to establish the legal obligation of government to hold soil productivity in a "public trust" on behalf of all citizens.
