Michigan
Groundwater
Stewardship
Program
The Michigan
Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) is a cooperative effort designed to
reduce the risks of groundwater contamination associated with the use of
pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers.
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.
A number of stewardship practices are
available which will help to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. This brochure lists and describes some of
those practices. For more information
contact your local Conservation District or MSU Extension Office.
Spill
Kits
Spill kits are containers filled with items to protect and aid you during the clean-up and/or containment of a pesticide spill. Goggles, gloves, boot covers, and protective suits made of special materials can protect you from contact with the pesticides, while brooms, shovels, absorbent material, and plastic sheeting can aid you in the containment and/or clean-up of the spill.
Cover Crops
Cover crops not only reduce topsoil erosion and improve soil structure, they recycle nutrients that otherwise might leach out of the soil profile. These excess nutrients have the potential to pollute groundwater or local streams and ponds if not captured in the cover crop. Once captured, they can then be available for the next crop rotation.
Nurse Tank
A liquid nurse tank unit complete with running gear,
transfer pump, engine, and discharge hose provides a pesticide applicator with
the right equipment to transport clean water to the field. This water supply can then be pumped
directly into the 
sprayer
unit with chemical mixing occurring in the field and at different locations
each time. This practice is a desirable
alternative to mixing and loading pesticides at the farmstead wellhead, where
spills occur near the wellhead and at the same location year after year.
Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Testing (PSNT)
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
reducing risks to potential groundwater 
contamination from over
application.
The first step is to establish realistic yield goals
for the field. Next, take into account
additional nitrogen credits such as organic matter, cover crops, or manure
applications. Then complete a properly
administered 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.
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, planning for security, proper ventilation, and providing
containment of any potential spill are all essential factors in developing a
pesticide storage facility.
Permanent
Mix/Load Pad
Proper mixing and loading practices do not allow
spilled pesticides to reach the soil surface and potentially be transferred
into groundwater and surface water. A
properly constructed and maintained mix/load pad can help assure that spills do
not reach the soil surface. A
reinforced concrete pad with sealed joints, drive-over curbs, and floor sumps
are all important components.
Portable
Mix/Load Pad
A portable mix/load pad is
essential for the applicator who must mix and load pesticides at several
different locations. Portable pads are
relatively low-cost and are very durable.
They contain a spill until it can be cleaned up. They are easily cleaned and can be rolled-up
for transport to another location or to be stored until next season.
Pesticide/Nitrogen Delivery Rate Controller
Delivery rate controllers are a console control system mounted near the applicator for constant monitoring and control of the product being applied. Depending on the unit purchased, a wide range of capabilities are available including monitoring each boom section, setting flow rates per acre, and being able to control the right application rate on every acre of each field by synchronizing flow rates and fluctuating travel speeds.
|
The MGSP is a cooperative effort between 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. |
Groundwater Technician
Christine Perreault
(906) 484-3031
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