Page 49 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK
P. 49
Delegate Session: Thursday– Page 7
#84 NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
1 Farmers, along with other rural and urban residents,
2 are concerned about nonpoint source pollution of
3 Michigan's surface and groundwater. Protecting surface
4 and groundwater from contamination is a priority and we
5 recognize agriculture shares the responsibility with many
6 others.
7 Nonpoint source pollution programs implemented by
8 state and federal agencies should reflect a coordinated,
9 integrated and consistent management approach. The
10 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural
11 Development (MDARD) should be designated as the
12 agency to coordinate all agricultural nonpoint source
13 pollution programs.
14 Michigan's conservation districts are an important
15 component of MDARD’s nonpoint source pollution
16 programs. These voluntary programs are best
17 administered by locally elected conservation district
18 boards who understand their community's needs and
19 problems.
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We support:
The Michigan Groundwater and Freshwater
Protection Act. This Act funds groundwater and surface water programming through providing
grants to fund local technicians. These technicians work with farmers to voluntarily adopt stewardship practices, which reduce nonpoint source pollution from agricultural sources. We believe funding of these technicians needs to be a top priority. Participation in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), including information generated by assessment programs remaining confidential. Aggregate data that would demonstrate effectiveness of the overall program could be shared. We strongly recommend Farm Bureau members participate in regional water stewardship teams.
Agriculture being the primary focus of MAEAP assistance in recognition of agriculture’s contribution to the dedicated fund.
All fertilizer retailers becoming certified in the 4R (Right fertilizer source, Right rate, Right time, Right place) Nutrient Stewardship Program and/or similar fertilizer management efforts.
An annual review of the Freshwater Protection
Fund finances, with the report to be available to
the contributors.
Freshwater Protection Fund collection at the wholesale level.
Continuation of the cost-share provided to
