A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday November 21, 2003

				Dear Wetlands Advocate, We hope this e-newsletter continues to be a valuable resource for Michigan's wetland advocates. Please forward this on to those you think would be interested. If you would like to be added to or unsubscribed from this list, please email Chris Grubb. DEQ RESPONDS TO EPA REVIEW OF MICHIGAN'S WETLAND PROGRAM The Michigan DEQ has sent a list of proposed actions they will take in response to concerns raised by the US EPA during their review of Michigan's Section 404 (wetland protection) Program. The list includes administrative actions, proposed administrative rule revisions, proposed statutory amendments, and other measures. We applaud the efforts of DEQ to rectify the issues raised by EPA in March, and are eager to help strengthen wetlands protection in Michigan. DEQ is now anxiously waiting to hear back from EPA, and are confident the agency will approve the proposal. Once the proposal is approved, DEQ will be actively looking to work with wetland stakeholders to help implement the changes. MWAC will need to step up to the challenge of ensuring the proposed changes come to fruition, especially with regard to changes that require legislative action. MWAC ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING IN LANSING – DECEMBER 9 If you would like to play a part in the organizational development of MWAC, please attend the upcoming half-day meeting on Tuesday, December 9 from 9am – 12 noon. Agenda items will include organizational structure, statewide wetland protection priorities, and an action strategy for 2004. After the meeting, those interested can have lunch together across the street at Clara's. The meeting will be held at the office of the Michigan Environmental Council: 119 Pere Marquette Drive, Suite 2A, Lansing, Michigan 48912. If you plan to attend, please email Chris Grubb. DEQ & TIP WORKING TO IMPROVE FOIA PROGRAM DEQ and Tip of the Mitt are currently working on the DEQ Freedom of Information Act Program website to improve its accessibility. FOIA can be a powerful tool for wetland advocates searching for hard to find and unpublished information. You can read more about this project in the upcoming December issue of the Michigan Environmental Council Newsletter, the MEC Report.			Michigan's Premiere Developments – Designed with Nature in Mind A Landscape of Homes & Wetlands – Developing & Marketing Properties while Preserving Wetlands & Other Natural Features This publication describes the many opportunities available to realtors and home builders when selling and developing properties which contain wetlands and other sensitive natural features. Additionally, it highlights the laws that are in place to preserve these sensitive landscapes. If you are interested in one or more copies of this publication, please call (231) 347 – 1181 x 100.
	Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 426 Bay Street , Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 x 118 Fax: (231) 347-5928 Email: chrisgrubb@watershedcouncil.org Web: http://www.michiganwetlands.org