All projects involving the application of materials to waters of the state for water resource management purposes require a Rule 97 Certification of Approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Rule 97 of the Michigan Water Quality Standards states:

"The application of materials for water resources management projects pursuant to state statutory provisions is not subject to the standards as prescribed by these rules, but all projects shall be reviewed and approved by the commission before application."

Water resource management projects historically covered by Rule 97 include, but are not limited to: sea lamprey control treatments with TFM and Bayer 73; fish reclamation projects using piscicides (i.e., rotenone) by state agencies, local organizations, and private individuals; the treatment of lakes using bacterial augmentation products; tracer dye studies for mixing zone mapping, time of passage studies, and discharge studies (including illicit discharge identification and elimination activities); and blackfly and mosquito control treatments using BTi bacteria and chemical methods.  For projects other than mosquito control and bacterial augmentation, see the Individual Rule 97 Certification of Approval.