USDA conservation investments designed to protect human health need to first consider what people are already doing to protect themselves.

Pleased to discuss our new work “Casing out Contaminants: Avoidance Behavior Along the Hydrogeologic Gradient” today with the USDA Economic Research Service and participants in the Ecosystem Service Valuation workshop.

Take home message: Do not expect human health benefits from increased nutrient uptake, restored wetlands if people downstream have already protected themselves by drilling deeper groundwater wells in agriculturally-intensive areas. Instead, target communities that have not averted exposure or help offset the costs of well construction and bottled water purchases.