LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Roger Victory on Thursday co-sponsored legislation to fund meaningful investments in the state’s water infrastructure and quality, including funds to support the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
“I have long supported MAEAP as an effective voluntary program that works as a partnership between local farmers, our state universities and our state agencies to protect our water, environment and agricultural resources,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “Michigan farmers rely on clean water to grow the fresh and healthy food that we use to feed families here in Michigan and across America.
“This plan dedicates $15 million to conduct surface water monitoring, provide incentives and cost-sharing funding for the implementation of MAEAP practices and help local conservation districts provide more services to those seeking MAEAP assistance.”
Senate Bill 565 would use $2.21 billion in federal American Recovery Plan funding and $290 million in repurposed state bond funds to make investments in dam infrastructure, wastewater systems, groundwater protection and providing clean drinking water.
In addition to the surface water monitoring and MAEAP support funding, the bill provides:
• $680 million for grant and loan programs to repair the most critical of Michigan’s dams,
• $600 million for a matching grant program to replace lead pipes,
• $700 million to upgrade local drinking water and wastewater facilities,
• $100 million in grants to remove PFAS chemicals from “orphaned” sites,
• $20 million to implement Groundwater Use Advisory Council report recommendations,
• $10 million for wetland mitigation, and
• $85 million to ensure students have access to safe water at school.
“This one-time, once-in-a-lifetime funding from the federal government should be used to make drastic, long-term investments that will benefit the good people of Michigan for generations to come,” Victory said. “This plan will do that while preserving our greatest natural resource — our water.”
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