The conservation-compliance program in the U.S. aims to reduce soil erosion to 7 tons per acre annually, regardless of cost. A study found that using tradable coupons for soil loss control could equalize costs across different soil types, leading to more efficient conservation. Results from Iowa show that the cost of controlling erosion varies between soil types, with potential savings of $5 per acre by targeting specific soils. This system not only saves money but also increases land under soil conservation.