The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) was initiated in 1993 with the signing of Public law 247. The mission of MGSP is to provide information and assessment tools for pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer users, which helps them identify risks to groundwater and to coordinate local, state and federal resources to help eliminate those risks.

The program is funded through the Michigan Department of Agriculture from industry supported pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer registration fees on specialty agricultural products. Registration fees are paid for by companies, which register their products for use in Michigan. A tonnage fee on bulk nitrogen fertilizers is also a source of funding. Nitrogen tonnage fees are paid directly by bulk fertilizer users. Pesticide fees account for 72% of the revenues with the remaining from nitrogen fertilizer users. Agriculture generates approximately 60% of the total revenues and the remaining comes from specialty (household) products.

Over 85% of the revenues generated by these fees are returned to the pesticide and fertilizer user through education, technical-assistance, applied research and cost-share programs. Many local programs are coordinating demonstration programs which showcase and evaluate practices that have the potential to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and help reduce or eliminate that risk.

Both the agricultural and residential programs are housed at the Kalamazoo Conservation District office at 1911 W. Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49024. The Groundwater Technician provides voluntary and confidential assessment tools for agricultural producers in Kalamazoo County.

Cost-share is available to producers that adopt Best Management Practices into their farming plans.

The Groundwater Educator is an AmeriCorps member who provides education and assistance to both urban and rural homeowners. Voluntary and confidential home assessments may be done to identify groundwater contamination risks in and around the home.

For more information, contact the Kalamazoo Conservation District at (269) 327-1258, ext. 4 or visit www.kalamazooconservation.org.

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Kalamazoo Conservation District

Linda Zabik linda.zabik@mi.nacdnet.net
Kalamazoo County (269) 327-1258 EXT.4

Michigan Department of Agriculture - PO Box 30017 - Lansing, MI 48909