A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday August 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. LEVIN, STABENOW MUST EARN WETLAND ADVOCATES' SUPPORT Michigan's U.S. Senators Levin and Stabenow let down Michigan's wetland and water advocates last week. The Senators chose not to sign on to a letter circulated by Senator Feingold (WI) to President Bush asking him to rescind a policy guidance that threatens wetland protection. The destructive policy guidance requires federal agency staff to get specific approval from headquarters in Washington, DC before asserting Clean Water Act protectionsfor any water that might potentially be considered not sufficiently connected to navigable waters. This stands in stark contrast to Bush's Earth Day pledge. Both Senators' offices were contacted several times by multiple organizations asking them to sign on – they were well aware and chose not to speak up for wetland protection. Senators Levin and Stabenow cannot expect that wetland advocates will support them with blind faith. Traditionally friends to the environment, Senators Levin and Stabenow have a chance to makeup for this recent blunder. The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act would strengthen the definition of "waters of the U.S." and deserves their support. Please contact the senators and encourage them to co-sponsor this legislation. Contact Levin Contact Stabenow TELL DEQ TO ABANDON DESTRUCTIVE WETLAND GENERAL PERMIT The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has 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. Mowing vegetation can impair a coastal 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. MWAC has already generated hundreds of comments to the DEQ through the Michigan Action Project (MAP). If you haven't sent your comments yet, please visit the MAP website to view a letter that you may personalize and send.			Protect Michigan and Great Lakes From Water Diversions Annex Info Mtgs in Traverse City, Petoskey Informational meetings will be held this Monday, August 16^th in Traverse City and Monday, August 30^th in Petoskey. If you would like to come learn more about the draft agreements to regulate the withdrawal and diversion of Great Lakes water please call Jill Kimble at (213)347-1181 x 100 Town Hall Meetings on Water Legacy Act Several Town Hall meetings will be held across the state in the coming months to discuss the Water Legacy Act, which will regulate water withdrawals in Michigan. Please visit the Michigan League of Conservation Voters website for more info.
	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