Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program

The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) provides educational, technical, and financial assistance to agricultural producers and residents to identify and reduce groundwater contamination risks. The program encourages individuals to take voluntary, proactive steps to protect Michigan's water quality and therefore the drinking water. Purchases of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides support the program.

More than $3 million annually is ditributed through a competitive grants process to local stewardship teams that set local groundwater protection priorities based on local needs.

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM

Agricultural producers who participate in the program can become environmentally assured through the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Environmenal assurance indicates the farm is in conformance with state and federal environmental laws and guidelines, and is protecting Michigan's important natural resources fsor the use of future generations.

Program Features

• Farm*A*Syst Environmental Risk Assessment
• Crop*A*Syst Environmental Risk Assessment
• Groundwater Quality Monitoring
• Closing Abandoned Wells
• Emergency Farm Planning Assistance
• Clean Sweep - Pesticide Disposal Program
• Residential Stewardship Program
• Turf Environmental Stewardship Program
• Agri-Chemical Container Recycling
  

For more information, contact:
Linda Jones Zabik,
Groundwater Technician Kalamazoo Conservation District
1911 W. Centre Avenue
Portage, Michigan 49024
Phone : 1-269-327-1258 x4
linda.zabik@mi.nacdnet.net

Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Reminders:

Water Use Reporting Forms Due April 1, 2008

Water Use Reporting for Michigan Producers

• The need to report is based on having the combined capacity to pump 100,000 gallons per day (70 gallons per minute). This means all the capacities of wells under the control of one operator are added together to determine if they are required to report.
  
• Water use reporting will impact virtually all irrigators that do not use a municipal water supply; including greenhouses, nurseries and golf courses.
  
• Water use reporting will impact many medium- to large-livestock producers and may impact larger farm operations that have several wells at various sites that are used solely for human consumption and necessities.
  
• There is a $1,000 per instance fine for failing to report. 

There is no fee for reporting. In addition to the water use information, farmers have to complete a simple form indicating what conservation practices they have implemented.

Download forms here: 

2007 MDA Water Use Reporting Form

"Easy Fill in" 2007 MDA Water Use Reporting Form

Michigan Registration for New Agricultural Withdrawals
Only for NEW withdrawals. Do NOT fill this form out if you have previously reported for this withdrawal)

To find latitude and longitude of your well click on this website gwmap.rsgis.msu.edu

CLEAN SWEEP - FREE PESTICIDE DISPOSAL:
Dispose of unused pesticides this summer at the permanent Clean Sweep facility in Kalamazoo County.

Additional information can be found at: www.kalcounty.com/hhw/pesticides.htm

PESTICIDE CONTAINERS FOR RECYCLING:
Pesticide containers must be properly rinsed, caps and labels removed (if you can't pull a label off with your hand, don't worry about it). Stained jugs are acceptable, but absolutely no product should remain. Containers must be delivered in the appropriate bags (provided by MGSP) by September 14, 2007.

Additional information can be found at:: www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192-45414_45929-44599--,00.html

FREE GROUNDWATER SAMPLES FOR AG EXPO:
More information: Free Water Sampling