Most studies of water quality trading (WQT) analyze the cost effectiveness of reducing nutrient pollution in isolation from other policies. However, the policy landscape to reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture is dominated by existing cost-share (CS) programs, which are likely to persist...

We evaluate three farmer behavioral responses to incentive payments for ecosystem services, specifically a cover crop cost-share program aimed at reducing nitrogen loads in the Chesapeake Bay. Using farmer survey data in Maryland, we estimate a two-stage simultaneous equation model to correct...