Fertilizer, after all, is expensive, and using less will improve profits. On the other hand, encouraging farmers to use low till cultivation methods instead of plowing up the entire field reduces erosion, a major source of water pollution, but at the same time requires more herbicides to compensate for the lack of plowing. Planning for land management may be an alternative. The Gottgens study, along with others, clearly points to the benefits of wetlands for abating pollution. This would suggest encouraging hunting clubs by zoning and reduced property taxes.
Flood control is an additional benefit for society.
While the national and state governments may not be willing to spend money up front on purchasing wetlands, they may be willing to zone coastal areas and to reduce taxes. A related method is to require real estate developers to maintain or even restore wetlands as a condition of receiving permission to build resorts and condominiums along the Great Lakes and oceans. Return to Lake Erie Marsh or to PA Times on line.