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Abstract
Soil erosion is estimated to cause over $7 billion in damages which occur off the farm (offsite) each year to water-based recreation, navigation, water storage facilities, municipal and industrial water users, water conveyance systems, and from increased flooding. Soil conservation programs which reduce erosion also reduce these offsite damages. This report is the first known attempt at estimating the national offsite benefits from soil conservation. This report examines the offsite damages from erosion at the national and regional levels, establishes a relationship between water-induced erosion and damages, and assesses the offsite benefits from reduced soil erosion.