A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday January 12, 2007

In This Issue: · DEQ COMPLETES WETLAND INVENTORY · GREAT LAKES DAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. · ASIAN CARP BARRIER BILL TO BE INTRODUCED FINAL WETLAND INVENTORY COMPLETED I am pleased to announce that the DEQ has completed its inventory of wetlands as of January 1, 2007. The purpose of the wetland inventory is to provide potential and approximate locations of wetlands and wetland conditions. It is intended that the inventories be used as one tool in planning for development, open space designations, zoning, etc. as a way to protect wetland resources. Not only will this serve as a valuable tool, it provides added protection to our vital wetlands. Now that all wetland inventories are completed, all non-contiguous wetlands over five acres in size are regulated regardless of county population. Final wetland inventory maps can be accessed electronically or requested in paper format for a fee at www.michigan.gov/deqwetlands. GREAT LAKES DAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. This long-standing annual tradition provides a great opportunity for the region’s policymakers and opinion leaders, as well as Members of Congress and staff, to share priorities for the region and strategies for advancing a federal legislative agenda for the Great Lakes. This year is an exciting time for the region as hopes are high that the 110th Congress will be more willing and able to move forward Great Lakes priorities. The Great Lakes Congressional Reception will kick off discussions the morning of March 7. The reception includes a continental breakfast sponsored jointly by the Great Lakes Commission and Northeast-Midwest Institute. Invited guests include Great Lakes governors, mayors and tribes, members of the Great Lakes Congressional Task Force and congressional committee staff. Opportunities to advance Great Lakes priorities will continue on throughout the day with the afternoon devoted to visiting member's offices on the Hill. The Great Lakes Commission will be coordinating office visits along with the Great Lakes Congressional Task Force, Great Lakes State Offices in Washington, Northeast-Midwest Institute and Healing Our Waters Coalition. This coordination and other preparatory sessions will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 6. For more information, visit http://www.glc.org/greatlakesday/. GREAT LAKES DAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Much-needed legislation will be introduced in Congress next week. This legislation authorizes the completion of an electronic barrier to keep the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Asian carp are voracious filter feeders that could destroy the $4 billion recreational fishery in the Great Lakes. In the Illinois River, nine out of ten fish are Asian carp. The electric barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is the Great Lakes' last line of defense. Unless we invest in a solution today, the price we will pay tomorrow will be much higher. If we don’t act now, future generations may never experience the Great lakes as we know them. Congress must authorize and fully fund the barrier. Call your U.S. Representative today and urge them to become an original co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Asian Carp Barrier Act of 2007.

The Michigan Wetland Action Coalition (MWAC), a project of Tip of The Mitt Watershed Council, is a network of wetland protection advocates across the state. MWAC is focused on promoting sound wetland protection policies at the state and federal level through education and advocacy. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 426 Bay Street , Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 x 114 Fax: (231) 347-5928 Email: jenniferm@watershedcouncil.org Web: http://www.michiganwetlands.org/