Disincentives are less widely used than incentives, although the tax code has many provisions, such as tax credits and depreciation rates, that discourage some actions and encourage others. This law does not prohibit actions by private parties, but the federal government will neither pay any costs nor assume additional risks at these places. A second example are two agriculture compliance programs, conservation compliance and swampbuster. These programs eliminate access to most federal farm program benefits to producers who cultivate highly erodible soils without a conservation program, or who alter wetlands to make agricultural production possible, respectively. Producers who do not participate in federal farm programs are not affected, and some producers may choose to stay out of these programs so they can modify soils or wetlands.
Agencies administering both programs try to work with violators.
Critics of the administration of these programs point out that no more than 650 producers have lost benefits in any year. Federal regulations deal with elements of some growth management issues, including wetland protection, air quality, and water quality. The 404 program under the Clean Water Act of 1972 requires landowners to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before they can alter wetlands by disposing of dredge and fill material. An estimated 80,000 actions require permits each year. Violators can be fined or jailed.