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 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 Click here for NEW Farm*A*Syst Tool
• Crop*A*Syst Environmental Risk Assessment
• Groundwater Quality Monitoring
• Closing Abandoned Wells
• Emergency Farm Planning Assistance
• Clean Sweep - Pesticide Disposal Program
• Agri-Chemical Container Recycling

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 Withdrawal Assessment Toolis operational. A Large quantity withdrawal (LQW) with a capacity of 70 gpm or greater must be registered with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality or with the Michigan Department of Agriculture if the LQW is for an agricultural purpose, before the withdrawal can begin. A registration is valid for 18 months. The withdrawal capacity must be installed within this time period or the registration becomes void. Registration may be done at this time through the button at the right on the website.http://www.miwwat.org

CLEAN SWEEP - FREE PESTICIDE DISPOSAL:
Dispose of unused pesticides at the permanent Clean Sweep facility in Kalamazoo County. Additional information can be found at: www.kalcounty.com/hhw/pesticides.htm

For more information, contact:
Linda Jones Zabik,
MAEAP Water Stewardship Technician 

Kalamazoo Conservation District
1911 W. Centre Avenue
Portage, Michigan 49024
Phone : 1-269-327-1258 x4
linda.zabik@mi.nacdnet.net

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and comply with state and federal environmental regulations. Farmers who successfully complete the three phases of a MAEAP system are rewarded by becoming verified in that system.

MAEAP was developed by a coalition of agriculture producers, commodity groups, state and federal agencies, and conservation and environmental groups. While MDA is the verifying agency, MAEAP is not a government or regulatory program but rather a partnership effort.

For more information about MAEAP go to: www.maeap.org