The final report submitted this week to the Legislature by the Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council presents more than a dozen findings and recommendations based on several years of study.
Council member Al Steinman, director of Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute, says the report is only the first step in what should become an ongoing process.
"This report will hopefully be a blueprint for the sustainable use of Michigan groundwater resources," said Steinman. "Though current pumping does not pose a threat in most areas of Michigan, it is essential to plan now to ensure the needs of future generations."
Most Michigan residents depend on groundwater as their source for drinking water. Large quantities are also used by farmers and various industries. Yet Michigan is the only Great Lakes state without laws regulating groundwater pumping quantities.
The report also recommends development of criteria and indicators to evaluate the sustainability of Michigan's groundwater use and conduct ongoing evaluations.
The full report is available online at www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-gwcac-legislature.pdf.
Al Steinman is available for interviews and comments by calling the Annis Water Resources Institute at (616) 331-3749. He was appointed to the council in 2002 by Senate majority leader Ken Sikkema to represent conservation interests and advise on groundwater resource issues and served as chair of the sustainability subcommittee from 2003 to 2005.
The Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute is a multidisciplinary research organization committed to the study of freshwater resources. The mission of the Institute is to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. The Institute occupies the Lake Michigan Center on Muskegon Lake.
