Given limited resources, achieving maximum agricultural pollution prevention will require setting priorities. The majority of Michigan producers do not significantly contribute to nonpoint source pollution. Therefore, public investments should be concentrated on those areas that will yield the greatest benefit. Prioritization criteria for agricultural pollution prevention should be developed under the leadership of the Michigan Agricultural Commission.

A targeted program should have research, education, and cost share components as part of a pollution prevention program, and not be construed as part of a punitive enforcement effort. Although assistance will be available to everyone, given limited resources, certain areas should be targeted for specific incentives and other benefits that will make major impacts in pollution prevention and control. The risk in not prioritizing is that resources will be spread so thinly there will be no observable effect. Without targeting programs on an as-needed basis (as opposed to simply when they are requested), funds will not be used to the best potential.

While all farmers should have incentives and opportunities to voluntarily participate in the above referenced environmental assurance program, technical and financial assistance should be targeted toward priority concerns, priority areas, and priority farms. Such targeting will require a statewide process that:

• articulates the statewide goals for soil and water quality as to priority concerns.
• identifies priority areas (e.g., watersheds) where the probable benefits per dollar spent are the greatest.
• within priority areas, identifies those farming practices that are the probable major contributors to environmental concerns.
• provides a concerted, coordinated effort tailored to the individual farm situation to overcome any barriers so that these farms can change their farming systems and reduce or prevent pollution.

The Agricultural Pollution Prevention Task Force recognizes that the information to do this targeting is not at present ideal and more policy relevant research is needed, but even crude targeting on the basis of current information will help to reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of pollution prevention programs.

Recommendations:

1. Voluntary pollution prevention resources should be targeted at priority concerns, areas, and farms.
2. Education and technical assistance should be tailored to meet farm-specific situations within priority areas.