A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday July 30, 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. DEQ PROPOSES DESTRUCTIVE PERMIT FOR COASTAL WETLANDS The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality today released for public comment a proposed General Permit (GP) category that further endangers Michigan's Great Lakes coastal wetlands. The permit would allow one or more shoreline property owners in Grand Traverse Bay and Saginaw Bay, or local units of government on behalf of any or all of their shoreline property owners, to apply for a permit to remove vegetation, impairing the wetland's ability to prevent erosion, provide fish and wildlife habitat and protect water quality. Unlike traditional wetland permit applications, activities that fall under the DEQ's General Permit are not put out for public notice and comment. It is inappropriate for the DEQ to cut out the public voice when reviewing permits to degrade such an important public trust resource. The DEQ is currently soliciting public comments until September 13, 2004 on whether or not to establish this GP category. SOS will likely take the position that the GP doesn't go far enough. Michigan's wetland advocates must make our voices heard by telling the DEQ to abandon this misguided action. Comments should be sent to: Mr. Martin Jannereth Department of Environmental Quality Geological and Land Management Division PO Box 30458 Lansing, MI 48909-7958 Fax: (517)335-3451 Email: jannerem@michigan.gov Read the MWAC Press Release Read the Public Notice and Proposed GP Category ENCOURAGE SENATOR STABENOW TO PROTECT WETLANDS Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and John McCain (R-AZ) are circulating letters in the U.S. Senate asking their colleagues to join them in urging President Bush to rescind the January 2003 EPA/Army Corps policy directive that stripped federal Clean Water Act protections from thousands of stream miles, millions of acres wetlands and other waters. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has yet to sign on to these letters, and the last day to sign on is next Wednesday August 4th. Please contact Senator Stabenow and ask her to protect wetlands by signing on to these letters. Ph: (202)224-4822 Email: senator@stabenow.senate.gov Read an NWF Fact Sheet
	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