The Nation : Erosion Costing $6 Billion

Soil erosion probably has become the top source of water pollution in America and, along with its harmful impact on navigation and wildlife, is costing $6 billion a year, according to a study. Losses from increased flood damage, water treatment expenses, river and harbor dredging and lost recreational capacity mean off-farm results of erosion cost even more than the loss of long-term productivity of croplands, according to the study issued by the Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit Washington research group.