OSCEOLA-LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Groundwater Stewardship Program

Groundwater Technician - Fay Wilson

What is the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program?

The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) is a cooperative effort designed to help individuals reduce the risks of groundwater contamination associated with pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer use. The MGSP is voluntary, locally driven, and designed to address the concerns of individuals by maintaining a focus on the financial and technical constraints, which drive real-world decisions. The program is funded through fees that are assessed on sales of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers.

Why Protect Groundwater?

Half of Michigan's residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water. Groundwater also recharges our surface waters, which are used for drinking, as well as habitat for fish and other creatures in rivers, streams and lakes. Preventing groundwater contamination is necessary to sustain our health and quality of life here in the Great Lakes State.

How Does the Program Help to Protect Groundwater?

The MGSP helps individuals protect groundwater through a mix of the following elements:

  • On-site risk assessment - raises awareness of activities which may pose a risk to groundwater.
  • Technical assistance - helps individuals implement practices to reduce those risks to groundwater.
  • Cost Share - provides financial support for the implementation of a variety of groundwater stewardship practices.
  • Education/demonstration - identifies real world or cost effective solutions to groundwater problems.

Local groundwater stewardship teams work together to ensure that the mix of these elements meets local needs and interests. Local teams may include farmers, commodity groups, agribusiness, health department personnel, citizens and others. The teams also provide a collective voice for pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer users in determining the direction of the statewide program.

MGSP Stewardship Practices and Programs

A number of stewardship practices are available which will help to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination, including:

  • Abandoned well plugging
  • Permanent and/or temporary pesticide storage

It is preferable to have a separate, dedicated building for pesticide storage. Portable storage units or an enclosed trailer can be modified and used for seasonal pesticide storage. The location of the storage facility, security, proper ventilation, and containment of any potential spill are all essential factors in developing a pesticide storage facility.

  • Equipment calibration-spray nozzles
  • Pre-sidedress nitrate testing

Soil nitrate testing is actually agreeing to try a nutrient management plan on a particular field. The results can be significant savings on nitrogen costs and reduced risk to groundwater contamination from over-application. The first step is to establish realistic yield goals for the field. Next, complete a properly administered N soil test of the field. This will determine what nitrogen is available. Finally, adjust your nitrogen application rate to match the true needs of the crop to be planted.

  • Nutrient management
  • Backflow prevention devices
  • Spill Response Program-Spill kits

The Spill Response Program helps reduce environmental impacts associated with pesticide, fertilizer and manure spills. If a spill occurs, agrochemical users call the Michigan Department of Agriculture 24-hour hotline (1-800-405-0101). This gives access to information, technical assistance, and in some cases financial assistance for dealing with the control, containment and cleanup of a spill.

Spill Kits are containers filled with items to protect and aid you during the clean up and/or containment of a pesticide or fertilizer spill. Goggles, gloves, boot covers and protective suits made of special materials can protect you from contact with spilled products. Brooms, shovels, absorbent material and plastic sheeting can aid you in the containment and/or cleanup of the spill.

·         Farm*A*Syst

·         Field*A*Syst

·         Home*A*Syst

Home*A*Syst is a voluntary, confidential self-assessment program individuals can use to evaluate their home and property for pollution and health risks. Eight Home*A*Syst chapters cover essential topics that every home owner or resident should be aware of. Each chapter contains key points, along with tables or worksheets that help identify and reduce home risks.

Lawn*A*Syst and Managing Shoreline Property to Protect Water Quality (Lake*A*Syst) are supplements to Home*A*Syst that examine home yard care and the special role of shoreline property owners in pollution prevention.

  • Clean Sweep

Closing of abandoned wells remains our highest priority. If you are aware of any on your property or in your area give us a call.

The MGSP is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Michigan's AmeriCorps. Close coordination is also maintained with Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Agri-Business Associations and the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts.

Other Water Quality Links:

Groundwater Education in Michigan
MSUE Water Quality Network
EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water

How does a landowner get assistance?

Go to: DISTRICT ASSISTANCE REQUEST FORM

Contact Us:

138 W. Upton, Suite #2
Reed City, MI 49677
Web Designer: Charmaine Lucas charmaine.lucas@mi.nacdnet.net
Phone (231) 832-2950
Fax (231) 832-2683