A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday February 27, 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. MWAC POLICY ANALYSIS OF CORPS REGIONAL PERMIT MODIFICATIONS AVAILABLE The US Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to modify the Michigan Regional Permit to allow hotel and motel owners to clear vegetation from a quarter of their shoreline, not to exceed 100 feet. The Regional Permit applies to all of Michigan's Great Lakes shoreline, Lake St. Clare, the connecting rivers thereof, and all inland lakes directly affected by those waters. Up to 6 acres of wetlands would be at risk in the East Bay of Grand Traverse Bay alone. We urge you to submit comments to the Corps in opposition to this policy change. Please write to: John Konik, Chief, Permit Evaluation Branch A, Regulatory Office, Detroit District, Corps of Engineers, PO Box 1027, Detroit, Michigan 48231 and specifically reference file number 80-200-001-8. · A policy analysis of the proposal is available on the MWAC website that gives more detail on the proposal and reasons for concern. · View the Army Corps Proposal (pdf file) MICHIGAN WETLAND PACKETS AVAILABLE SOON The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund (GLAHNF) will be sending out Michigan specific wetland packets in early March. These packets contain a factsheet on community involvement in wetland protection in Michigan, a 30-page regulatory piece looking at each Great Lakes state, a special wetlands edition of the GLAHNews, a 4-page background piece on wetlands and their functions and values, and the 2004 edition of the GLAHNF Success Stories publication. I can't say enough about the quality of information contained and the beautiful design work. If you would like to receive a Michigan wetland packet and haven't already sent me your mailing address, please do so by close of business Monday, March 1st. email:chrisgrubb@watershedcouncil.org			LCV Releases 2003 Scorecard Since 1970 the League of Conservation Voters has been tracking the environmental voting records of congressional members, and releasing that information in an annual "scorecard." The 2003 scorecard has recently been released and is available at www.lcv.org Michigan Wetland Conference Update
	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