Seminario Regional sobre Estilos de Desarrollo y Medio Ambiente en América Latina

Previously published empirical models of U.S. farmland prices are reviewed and reestimated including recent data. It is apparent that structural changes have occurred. A simple single equation econometric model with less economic structure appears to forecast better than a simultaneous equation model. Finally, Box-Jenkins forecasts are roughly as good as those based upon a simultaneous equation econometric model, but somewhat inferior to the single equation model. The results suggest that further research may be needed to explain recent movements of farmland prices.

This study seeks to contribute to the development of procedures which provide useful information to decision-makers and affected people regarding the national income and employment impacts of railroad branch line abandonment. There are three major parts to this paper. The first part probes the underlying assumptions of public investment analysis. It is noted that non-Pareto optimal welfare changes occur whether or not abandonment takes place.

Land use policy unquestionably requires information about land ownership. During the Congressional debate on the Land Use Policy and Planning Assistance Act of 1972, Senator Henry Jackson of Washington recognized the need for land ownership information when he said: "Rational land use planning would be impossible without knowledge of patterns of land ownership within a given area." (1) Yet this information is not generally available for the planning process.

Increasing interest in the federally owned lands by individuals and groups representing a broad cross section of society has intensified public land management problems. Pressures for preservation, conservation, and additional non-market uses have resulted in management conflicts.