Monroe News: Walberg discusses Great Lakes protection legislation
July 22, 2015
WILLIS — Two legislators hope to rally support to protect the Great Lakes and other waterways.
On Tuesday, U. S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R- Tipton, and Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, announced the Great Lakes Assurance Program Verification Act at Darling Farms.
The legislation, created by Rep. Miller, builds off the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). It encourages states throughout the Great Lakes Basin to develop voluntary agricultural assurance programs to promote conservation and minimize agricultural pollution risks.
Among such risks are the algae blooms on Lake Erie and the toxin microcystin that shut down Toledo's water supply last summer.
"This is so important to us, and we share the dismay last summer with Toledo shutting down its water supply because of the algae blooms," Rep. Miller said. " We have another problem besides the toxin. We all love Mother Nature but sometimes we don't show it."
She said pollutants and contaminants have been entering the Great Lakes for years, but it is not one entity that should be blamed.
"A lot of people want to blame the farmers, but Tim and I do not believe that," Rep. Miller said. "Everybody who lives in the Great Lakes Basin is responsible to protect our Great Lakes."
Rep. Walberg said the MAEAP program has worked well in Michigan and encouraged support from other Great Lakes states.
"Let's do the right thing here that helps us to better protect our resources," Rep. Walberg said.
Since its creation, 2,828 farms in Michigan have become MAEAP verified, said Josh Appleby of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
"We have worked hard to develop a commonsense approach and farms in Michigan are doing their part for the right reasons because they care," Mr. Appleby said.
The program has proved successful in reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff, he said.
"Nearly 1.7 million pounds of phosphorous has not gone into Michigan waters because of MAEAP," Mr. Appleby said.
Rep. Miller said tons of algae has been prevented due to MAEAP.
"Over 1 million tons of algae doesn't exist today because of the program," she said.
Mark Sargent from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the DNR has a stake in this as well because of industries such as fishing.
"We need to keep Michigan waters fresh," he said. "This impacts our state prosperity."
Doug Darling, co-owner of Darling Farms, said he has been pleased with the MAEAP program, of which his farm is a verified participant.
"As farmers, our income comes from the environment," Mr. Darling said. "I'm so pleased with its efforts. It is the premier volunteer program for farmers in the country."
The legislators are hopeful the success of Michigan's program will catch on and spread throughout the nation.
"Our hope is for all the Great Lakes states and beyond will get behind this," Rep. Miller said. "We are very hopeful this will pass."
This article originally appeared in the July 22 edition of the Monroe News.
On Tuesday, U. S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R- Tipton, and Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, announced the Great Lakes Assurance Program Verification Act at Darling Farms.
The legislation, created by Rep. Miller, builds off the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). It encourages states throughout the Great Lakes Basin to develop voluntary agricultural assurance programs to promote conservation and minimize agricultural pollution risks.
Among such risks are the algae blooms on Lake Erie and the toxin microcystin that shut down Toledo's water supply last summer.
"This is so important to us, and we share the dismay last summer with Toledo shutting down its water supply because of the algae blooms," Rep. Miller said. " We have another problem besides the toxin. We all love Mother Nature but sometimes we don't show it."
She said pollutants and contaminants have been entering the Great Lakes for years, but it is not one entity that should be blamed.
"A lot of people want to blame the farmers, but Tim and I do not believe that," Rep. Miller said. "Everybody who lives in the Great Lakes Basin is responsible to protect our Great Lakes."
Rep. Walberg said the MAEAP program has worked well in Michigan and encouraged support from other Great Lakes states.
"Let's do the right thing here that helps us to better protect our resources," Rep. Walberg said.
Since its creation, 2,828 farms in Michigan have become MAEAP verified, said Josh Appleby of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
"We have worked hard to develop a commonsense approach and farms in Michigan are doing their part for the right reasons because they care," Mr. Appleby said.
The program has proved successful in reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff, he said.
"Nearly 1.7 million pounds of phosphorous has not gone into Michigan waters because of MAEAP," Mr. Appleby said.
Rep. Miller said tons of algae has been prevented due to MAEAP.
"Over 1 million tons of algae doesn't exist today because of the program," she said.
Mark Sargent from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the DNR has a stake in this as well because of industries such as fishing.
"We need to keep Michigan waters fresh," he said. "This impacts our state prosperity."
Doug Darling, co-owner of Darling Farms, said he has been pleased with the MAEAP program, of which his farm is a verified participant.
"As farmers, our income comes from the environment," Mr. Darling said. "I'm so pleased with its efforts. It is the premier volunteer program for farmers in the country."
The legislators are hopeful the success of Michigan's program will catch on and spread throughout the nation.
"Our hope is for all the Great Lakes states and beyond will get behind this," Rep. Miller said. "We are very hopeful this will pass."
This article originally appeared in the July 22 edition of the Monroe News.
Issues:Agriculture