A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday April 23, 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. GRANHOLM SIGNS EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE TO PROTECT ISOLATED WETLANDS ON PUBLIC LAND Governor Granholm took a good step this week toward protecting isolated wetlands in the state by signing Executive Directive (ED) 2004-4. The ED requires the DEQ to have a process in place to protect isolated wetlands on state owned land within the next 60 days. It also fulfills a pledge made in her Special Message to the Legislature earlier this year. This ED will establish a process by which the DEQ may protect isolated wetlands on not only public land, but on land throughout the state. Read Executive Directive No. 2004-4 HOUSE REPUBLICANS DELIVER STINKY PACKAGE FOR EARTH DAY Several Michigan House Republicans announced a package of bills this week described as "proposals that balance the need to preserve the environment and protect the rights of Michigan residents." Of concern for wetlands in this unwelcome package is the already introduced bill (HB 5274) to allow county road commissions to opt-out of wetland mitigation. Also mentioned in the House Republicans press release is a yet to be introduced bill to "redefine 'reasonable and prudent' as it relates to wetlands." Since Michigan's wetland law requires permit applicants to consider "feasible and prudent" alternatives, wetland advocates in the state will certainly be curious to see the text of this bill. BUSH TALKS WETLANDS ON EARTH DAY After a recent meeting with hunting and fishing groups in Texas, President Bush announced increased funding for wetlands conservation programs as well as a plan to restore, create, and protect 3 million acres of wetlands over the next five years. Bush claims to be "moving beyond" the goal of no net loss of wetlands, however up to 20 million acres remain at risk because of a policy guidance that was issued in January 2003 to Corps of Engineers field staff. The guidance instructed field staff not to enforce Clean Water Act protections for certain wetlands, streams, and other waters considered "isolated" without receiving permission from headquarters. The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2003 (H.R.962 and S.473) would clarify the definition of "waters of the United States" in the Clean Water Act to include the "isolated" waters that are losing protection under the policy guidance. Please ask President Bush, Senators Levin and Stabenow, and your representative to: work for the withdrawal of the harmful policy guidance, fully enforce the Clean Water Act, and support passage of the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act.			Michigan Wetlands Conference May 20-22 Traverse City, MI To honor the 25^th anniversary of the Wetland Protection Act, the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Northwestern Michigan College, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, and a number of other organizations are planning a special conference. The event will include a plenary session on Great Lakes coastal wetlands; presentations by many of the state’s leading experts in wetland science and management; concurrent sessions on wetland restoration, local government options for wetland management, natural history, wetland education, wetland monitoring and assessment, and wetland regulatory protection programs; GIS technology demonstrations; field trips; vendor and non-profit exhibits; and a number of social and networking opportunities. Click on the image below to learn more and register for the event.
	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