Water Markets: Implications for Rural Areas of the West—Market transfers of water from irrigated agriculture are viewed as one of the most likely ways to accommodate new demands for water supplies. Market transfers generally improve statewide economic efficiency by shifting water to higher valued uses. However, case studies find the impact of these transfers on agriculturally dependent rural communities to be significant because the costs accrue to the area of origin and the benefits to the area of new water use.

Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2000—This ERS basebook contains a wealth of information covering a broad range of subjects in resource and environmental economics. Chapter 2 covers water resources (water use and value, irrigation water management, and water quality impacts of agriculture).

Economic Analysis of Selected Water Policy Options for the Pacific Northwest (to order/AER-720)—Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest could use significantly less water with minimal impact on agricultural economic returns. Less water use by agriculture makes more water available for municipal, industrial, and recreational uses; for improved water quality and wildlife habitat; and for Native American water rights claims.

An Economic Assessment of the 1999 Drought—While the 1999 drought has had severe financial impacts on agricultural producers in the drought regions, its impact on U.S. agricultural production has been limited. The drought will reduce commodity receipts relative to 1998 by an estimated $1.29 billion. Estimated farm net income losses, including expected yield losses, increases in expenses, and insurance indemnities, will total $1.35 billion, about 3 percent of expected 1999 U.S. net farm income. Drought impacts in areas of the Northeast designated as extreme and severe drought are expected to reduce farmers' net income by nearly $840 million. The regions affected, the crops grown in those regions, the increased use of irrigation, and crop insurance coverage limited the drought's impacts on agriculture nationally. Drought also affects the rural population by reducing water supplies available for human and livestock consumption.

Salmon Recovery in the Pacific Northwest: Agricultural and Other Economic Effects (to order/AER-727)—Measures taken in the Northwest to recover three Snake River salmon runs protected under the Endangered Species Act—and to improve the entire Columbia River Basin salmon fishery—will result in various benefits and costs. This report analyzes the effect on the region's agricultural sector of two proposed measures: reservoir drawdown along the lower Snake River and reductions in irrigation water supply in the upper Snake River Basin.

Private and Institutional Adaptation to Water Scarcity During the California Drought, 1987-92 (to order/AGES-9802).

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