Groundwater Stewardship
Program Summary
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 quality of drinking water. Purchases of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides support the program. Agricultural producers who participate in the program can become environmentally assured through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Environmental assurance indicated the farm is in conformance with state and federal environmental laws and guidelines, and that it is protecting Michigan’s important natural resources for the use of future generations.
Groundwater Technician Kyle Mead demonstrated some features of an emergency spill kit.
Program Features
Groundwater Technician Kyle Mead demonstrated some features of an emergency spill kit.
Environmental Risk Assessment Farm*A*Syst
The Farmstead assessment system (Farm*A*Syst) is an environmental risk assessment of management practices, structures and site conditions at the farm headquarters. The assessment helps producers identify and reduce risks to both groundwater and surface water supplies. More than 15,000 Farm*A*Systs have been completed to help farmers with environmentally sound management practices.
Crop*A*Syst
The cropping assessment system (Crop*A*Syst) helps producers develop and implement a management plan to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water in production fields, orchards and nurseries.
Environmental Risk Assessments through the Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program are voluntary and confidential. For more information about MGSP, please contact Kyle Mead, Groundwater Technician for Van Buren and Allegan Counties at mgsp@vanburencd.org.
Other Services Offered By MGSP
Closing Abandoned Wells
Abandoned wells pose a health risk by acting as a conduit for contaminated surface water to move directly down to drinking water aquifers. Environmental risk assessments and financial assistance form the MGSP have resulted in the closure of more than 7,000 unused / unusable wells.
Emergency Farm Planning
More than 2,700 emergency farm plans have been developed for agricultural producers across the state. These plans provide vital information for farm workers and emergency service providers if an emergency occurs. The plans also assist producers with the important issue of agrichemical and application equipment security.
Groundwater Quality Monitoring
This water testing is designed to evaluate pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer contamination in Michigan’s groundwater. Samples are screened annually at no charge to the well owners. Well samples are screened for nitrates, nitrites and triazines.
Related Links
Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
(Michigan Department of Agriculture)
Michigan Agriculture Assurance Program
