A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday July 16, 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. Some of the files linked from this e-newsletter may be Adobe PDF format. For a free copy of software to read these files click here. If you would like to be added to or unsubscribed from this list or if you would prefer to receive a text-based version of the e-newsletter, please email Chris Grubb. PALMER, HOUSE GOP CONTINUE ATTACK ON WETLANDS Representative Palmer and other GOP representatives apparently aren't satisfied with their attempts to destroy coastal wetlands. Now they've set their sights on non-contiguous, or "isolated," wetlands. House Bill 6066 changes the state's definition of "wetland" such that townships would be unable to regulate work in these non-contiguous wetlands through local ordinances – trashing a fundamental component of the Wetland Protection Act, and challenging Michigan's home rule tradition. Non-contiguous wetlands were not included in the Wetland Protection Act on a whim. Science has shown that these wetlands provide important functions and values. We will be watching this bill closely. If it starts to move, we must flex our collective MWAC muscle to put an end to the madness. The bill has been referred to the Land Use and Environment Committee. Please contact Committee Chair Ruth Johnson to let her know this type of legislation is antithetical to the land use strides Michigan should be making. Also, please contact your representative and Representative Palmer to let them know you oppose this bill. DEQ MOVING FORWARD WITH BEACH DOOMING GENERAL PERMIT MWAC has learned that the DEQ will soon be issuing a General Permit category for beach dooming activities. The GP will allow a local unit of government to apply, on behalf of its shoreline property owners, for a permit to mow and/or remove vegetation. Despite the very small number of beach dooming permits requested thus far, SOS has been pushing hard for the GP. It is safe to assume that whatever DEQ proposes in the GP will not be enough to satisfy SOS. We will need to generate lots of comments and send the message that enough is enough. The GP will be released for public comment in late July or early August.			Bad Bills Table on MWAC Website We have added a new feature to the MWAC website – a "bad bills" table. The table is meant to help you keep track of federal and state legislation that threaten wetlands. If you are aware of legislation that should be on the table, or have any suggestions, please let us know. Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001 Draft Available Monday – Citizen Input Critical A draft of the much anticipated Annex to the Great Lakes Charter dealing with Great Lakes water diversions will be released for public comment on Monday, July 19. Public input is extremely important in this historic process. You may visit an Annex info website on Monday for background info and to read the draft.
	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