Perceptions of Conservation Reserve Program Participants to Environmental Quality in the Oklahoma Panhandle

Abstract

The study was directed to identify the attitudes and perceptions that influence the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants in the Oklahoma Panhandle. A mail-out survey was conducted from the sample of address locations of CRP participants in the Panhandle counties of Beaver, Cimarron and Texas. A majority of CRP participants (61.2%) agreed that the U.S. government is paying adequate attention in controlling soil erosion. Results indicate that the participants agree to the fact there is adequate attention paid by government on water and air quality improvement. Re-enrollment preferences in their participation could be improved with certain modification in the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). It is the recommendation of the study that the EBI could be tuned to cater the specific needs of the CRP participants. Some of these modifications include introduction of enhanced air and wildlife quality initiatives.