A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday February 13, 2004

				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. ACTION ALERT: HELP DEFEAT BILL TO EXEMPT DRIVEWAYS IN WETLANDS The sun barely had a chance to rise following the celebration of World Wetlands Day when Michigan Representative John Pastor and a group of lawmakers (all from the same party) introduced House Bill 5441 that would exempt driveway construction from the state wetland permitting process. In addition to the increased ecological damage through habitat fragmentation, this exemption prevents the DEQ from evaluating "the project as a whole" – a fundamental tenet when reviewing a project for environmental impacts, and completely ignores criteria for developing in sensitive natural resource areas such as state listed Natural Rivers. Please learn more about the bill by reading the MWAC Bill Analysis, and take action by contacting your representative in opposition to this bill. GOV THREATENS TO VETO FAULTY NPDES PERMIT FEE BILL A bill to establish fees for organizations requiring a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, SB 252, came out of conference committee this week looking worse than when it entered, and was quickly passed by the Senate and House. Of particular concern is a provision which limits the DEQ's authority to promulgate administrative rules regarding water quality. Governor Granholm has rightly called this a "power grab" and threatened to veto. Michigan's wetland advocates are encouraged to let the governor know we support her use of the veto on this issue. Call Governor Granholm at (517) 335-7858 or Email the governor's Environmental Advisor Dana Debel Read a Detroit Free Press Story with Granholm's remarks BUSH BUDGET PROPOSAL CUTS POPULAR WETLAND RESERVE PROGRAM As another example of Bush administration policies that cripple environmental protection, the administration's Fiscal Year 2005 budget proposal would reduce funding for an important Natural Resource Conservation Service program that pays farmers to restore wetlands on their property. The administration is asking that the Wetland Reserve Program reduce the number of wetland acres restored by 50,000. Visit the Great Lakes Radio Consortium to learn more. Visit the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program Webpage			World's Wetlands Valued at $70 Billion WWF Report Released On-line If "money talks," then the world's wetlands have a lot to say! Read the WWF report that analyzed existing valuation studies to find out more. Ford to Pay for Wetland Toxic Dump Automaker Agrees to Pay DEQ $2.75M The money will reimburse the state for restoration of a two acre wetland site in Lenawee County where more than 7000 barrels of "sludge" were found. Read more in the Toledo Blade. Click above to learn more about the 25^th anniversary wetland conference at DEQ's website
	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