Agency: Environmental Quality

Individual Rule 97 Certification of Approval

All projects involving the application of materials to waters of the state for water resource 

management purposes require a Rule 97 Certification of Approval from the Michigan 

Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). 

Rule 97 of the Michigan Water Quality Standards states:

The application of materials for water resources management projects pursuant 

to state statutory provisions is not subject to the standards as prescribed by 

these rules, but all projects shall be reviewed and approved by the commission 

before application.

Water resource management projects historically covered by Rule 97 include, but are not limited 

to: sea lamprey control treatments with TFM and Bayer 73; fish reclamation projects using 

piscicides (i.e., rotenone) by state agencies, local organizations, and private individuals; the 

treatment of lakes using bacterial augmentation products; mixing zone mapping and time of 

passage studies using tracer dyes and reaeration gases; discharge point location studies using 

tracer dyes; water intake treatment with biocides to control zebra mussels; ice painting using 

colored dyes; and blackfly and mosquito control treatments using BTi bacteria and chemical 

methods. The authorization to use pesticides other than those covered in the General Rule 97 

Certification of Approval Authorizing Mosquito Control in Surface Waters requires an Individual 

Rule 97 Certification of Approval. 

The following items must accompany any individual Rule 97 Approval request:

1. Description and purpose of the proposed water resource management project. A copy 

of any relevant standard operating procedures should be provided, if available.

2. Name and/or type of waterbody(ies) potentially affected by the proposed project.

3. Geographic location(s) of the specific waterbody(ies) potentially affected by the 

proposed project. The county, township/range/section data should be included to 

identify the affected site(s) location.

4. Name of material(s) to be applied to the waterbody(ies). A Material Safety Data Sheet 

and product manufacturer’s label should also be included. If bacteria are being used in 

the treatment, all bacterial strains, other ingredients and any trade name formulations 

should be listed.

5. Specific time period when the treatment will occur. It is acceptable for a single request 

to cover multiple treatment applications scheduled over an extended time period (e.g.,

ten treatments of the waterbody(ies) planned from April to November with a spacing of 

three to four weeks between treatments).

6. Total load(s) and dosage concentration(s) of the materials to be applied to the 

waterbody(ies). If the proposed dosage deviates from dosage recommendations on the 

manufacturer’s label, a brief explanation should be provided.

7. The surface area of the waterbody(ies) that will potentially be affected by the treatment.

8. The name and contact information for the company selling the material to the applicant.
9. Lake ownership information, whether public or private. If private, what individual, group, 

or company has ownership.

The requests for approval to apply materials under Rule 97 should be submitted for review to:

Ms. Diana Klemans, Chief of the Surface Water Quality Assessment Section, Water Division,

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30273, Lansing, MI 48909-7773, or 

email klemansd@michigan.gov.

By providing the information described in items 1 through 9 above, we will be able to provide an 

expeditious review of your request.