Spring 2017

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Agricultural Best Management Practice Spotlight: Gypsum

Gypsum being spread on a farm field

The MACC works with local farmers to implement and fund a variety of best management practices, or BMPs as we often call them. We currently provide funds for transitioning to a reduced tillage system (e.g. no-till), cover crops, water and sediment control basins, and gypsum. When we describe what we do to the non-farming public we quite often see an eyebrow raise at the mention of gypsum. Most of us are familiar with gypsum in its role as drywall, but many of us are not aware of the benefits gypsum has to plants and its role in water quality protection.

Gypsum is a soluble source of calcium and sulfur, both essential nutrients for plant growth. It provides these important nutrients to the plant without altering the pH of the soil, as do other types of fertilizer. The gypsum we use in an agricultural setting comes primarily from two sources. Gypsum is created as a byproduct in coal fired power plants. When exhaust from burning coal is exposed to a saturated limestone slurry, the slurry “scrubs” sulfur from exhaust before it is released into the air. This slurry is then dried out and the resulting product is flue gas desulfurization gypsum or FGD gypsum. The other and most common source of gypsum is mined gypsum. This is gypsum that is taken directly out of the ground and crushed so that it can be uniformly spread onto fields.

Gypsum helps to improve water quality in several ways. Calcium works in the soil to improve soil structure through a process called flocculation. In this process, calcium binds to clay soil particles and brings them together into small clusters. These clusters open pore space in the soil allowing water to infiltrate more easily. They also keep the clay particles from eroding off the field and entering waterways. Calcium also binds to excess dissolved phosphorus particles and forms a solid substance. This solid will settle out of the water and collect in the soil rather than entering our streams, creeks and ultimately Lake Macatawa.

Several ongoing studies by The Ohio State in the Lake Erie watershed suggest that gypsum can reduce dissolved phosphorus in drain tile outlets by as much as 30% to 50%. A study in Indiana has found similar results showing a 50% reduction in dissolved phosphorus loss in a no-till farming system.

Gypsum is and will continue to play a big role in restoring the Macatawa Watershed. It is a valuable tool that shows great results in helping to improve water quality. It is not, however, a single solution to the issues affecting Lake Macatawa. Gypsum plays a part in a multi-faceted approach to improving water quality. Using gypsum along with other best management practices will have the greatest impact on improving Lake Macatawa’s water quality.

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Agricultural Funding Still Available

The MACC is continuing its effort to engage the watershed’s farmers in a conversation about best management practices (BMPs) and the health of our waters. The MACC’s current Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant focuses efforts in the three highest priorities sub-watersheds: Peter’s Creek, Upper Macatawa, and North Branch, respectively. Current qualifying practices include, but are not limited to, gypsum application, planting of cover crops, water and sediment control basins, and transitioning from conventional tillage to a reduced tillage or no-till system.

Growers who are interested in cost share funding or have questions regarding BMP’s should contact Rob Vink at the MACC. Rob can be reached at 616-395-2688 or by email at rvink@the-macc.org

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Project Clarity Update: By the Numbers

The following was summarized from the Project Clarity January 2017 Dashboard prepared by the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway. The full dashboard can be viewed here.

Wetland and Streambank Restoration

• 6 restoration projects completed, 2 of which are major wetland projects totaling 91 acres
• 172.5 acre-feet of water storage created
• 450 linear feet of streambank restored

Agricultural Best Management Practices

• 34 participating farms
• 52 water quality best management practices including gypsum application, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, two-stage ditches, and cover crops
• 11,000 acres of land being treated with conservation
• Matching funds are being provided to support a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative awarded to the MACC to implement best management practices on an additional 4,500 acres of farmland

Value Added Projects

• The Michigan Department of Transportation in partnership with the Allegan County Drain Commissioner will fund the design and installation of a 15 acre wetland restoration along the North Branch of the Macatawa River creating 42 acre-feet of water storage. This project is targeted for 2017 construction.
• The Park West Drain Project in Park Township was constructed using green infrastructure
• The City of Holland’s Central Avenue Drain Project installed a water quality treatment device that treats 70 acres of the watershed. The City invested about $60,000 for the structure and installation.
• Farmers contributed on average 50% of the total cost of agricultural best management practices for a total investment of more than $320,000

Education

• 130 Project Clarity presentations given to over 3,500 people in the local community
• Over 3,000 people attended the 2016 Macatawa Water Festival
• 7 Project Clarity information kiosks were constructed throughout the watershed

Gift and Grant Totals

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