A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday January 2, 2004

				Dear Wetlands Advocate, Happy New Year! In this issue, we will be looking in the crystal ball at 2004. There's no telling what issues may emerge in the coming months, but below are three that are sure to be important for 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 REFORM OF WETLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM The DEQ has proposed a list of actions to EPA in response to concerns raised by the US EPA during their review of Michigan's Section 404 (wetland protection) program. DEQ's proposed actions generally include internal policy changes, rules changes, and legislative amendments. An important role for wetland advocates in this process will be to educate the state legislature. MWAC will be organizing an event in early May for wetland advocates to meet with their state representatives for a dose of wetland education. COMING TO A STATE NEAR YOU – GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWAL LEGISLATION With Nestle/Ice Mountain, London Aggregates, and other cases providing clear indication that a groundwater withdrawal law is desperately needed in the state, Governor Granholm has recently expressed a commitment to developing comprehensive water use legislation. Wetland advocates need to ensure that Granholm delivers on this promise and be at the table and behind the scenes during this process. We will keep you up to date as the process, content, and players develop. Photo above courtesy of Aerial Graphics, Grand Rapids, MI www.aerialgraphics.com GREAT LAKES ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION The Great Lakes Basin environmental community is full steam ahead in promoting legislation in the U.S. House and Senate that would authorize between four and six billion dollars of funding for Great Lakes ecosystem restoration. Here are three things you can do to help: · Encourage Reps Miller, Smith, and Knollenberg – the only three of Michigan's congressional delegation not yet supporting the bill - to sign on to HR 2720 · Submit a Great Lakes ecosystem restoration success story via the MWAC website · In the near future, visit www.restoremichigan.org			Wetland Conference in May Mark your calendars now for a statewide wetland conference, May 20-22. The conference, sponsored by a wide variety of agencies, environmental organizations and private firms, will feature workshops and field trips on everything from education to restoration, and from acquisition to regulation. MWAC Update Several wetland advocates from across the state gathered in Lansing on December 9 to discuss the role of MWAC and identify priority wetland issues in the state. After generating a list of many issues, the group narrowed the list to the following seven issues: public education, DEQ reform of wetland program, coastal wetland destruction, Great Lakes restoration, 25^th anniversary opportunities, wetland watchdogs, and violation enforcement.
	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