As rice farms are abandoned or replaced by other agricultural uses and development, pressures on already-declining natural wetlands and prairies will increase. Rice farming offers a unique opportunity to bring agricultural and environmental interests together to preserve both the rice industry and the health and productivity of the coastal zone and Galveston Bay. Despite concerns about chemical use by rice farmers, studies have shown that water flowing out of a flooded rice field into receiving waters is actually cleaner than when it first flowed into the field. Wetlands have been proven to decompose agdcultural pesticides and dissipate nutrients from fertilizers. Wedands also reduce the amount of sediment flowing into other waterways, which can conserve soil and improve water quality.
Sediment loss remains the most serious water quality problem associated with rice farming.
Minimum tilling and new seeding techniques help prevent loss of topsoil, and can benefit the farmer by reducing equipment use, thereby reducing cost per acre.