October 12, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality has announced that it is providing $343,000 to support the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. The mission of the MAEAP is to develop and promote a recognized, voluntary, proactive environmental assurance program targeted to the agricultural industry which ensures that producers are engaging in cost-effective pollution prevention practices and are in compliance with environmental regulations.

“This program promotes environmental stewardship, while at the same time helping our state’s agricultural industry prosper,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.

The funding includes $193,000 to support specialists in the Allegan/Kalamazoo, Cass, Clinton, Huron, and Ottawa/Muskegon conservation district offices. An additional $150,000 will go to support MAEAP staff in the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

“This welcome funding will directly support our efforts to encourage sustainable practices that benefit both the agriculture community and Michigan citizens,” said MDA Director Mitch Irwin.

The MAEAP specialists assist small and medium sized livestock producers by assisting in the development and implementation of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans to manage livestock waste. MAEAP specialists also help livestock producers to eliminate or reduce pollution from livestock operations through the MAEAP livestock progressive planning process.

The MDA's MAEAP staff conducts third-party verifications for the livestock, farmstead, and cropping systems of MAEAP and also provides local oversight of grant and contract administration for the MAEAP specialist contracts.

Editor’s note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised October 12, 2005, by Shirley Smith for Pat Watson