A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday August 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. GREAT TIME TO MEET WITH CANDIDATES / LEGISLATORS With the Legislature on break, and the full House up for re-election, this is a great time to meet with incumbents and challengers to spread the message that wetland protection is an important issue for Michigan. The many recent attempts to weaken wetland protection at the state level must end. For evidence of the assault, check out HB 5441, HB 5274, HB 5945, and HB 6066. We need to remind candidates about the basics of the wetland program: that state assumption of the Federal permitting program is important not only for the resource, but for applicants as well. We also need to let them know that legislative attacks on the Wetland Act could lead to EPA pulling Michigan's program. There are great opportunities for strengthening wetland protection in the next legislative session. For example, we can build upon Governor Granholm's Executive Directive to protect all non-contiguous wetlands. We also need to build support among all stakeholders for the various administrative and legislative changes required to be consistent with the Federal Section 404 program. Turning the corner from wetland assaulter to wetland ambassador starts today! CONTINUE TO TELL DEQ "NO WAY" ON BEACH DOOMING GP 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. These activities 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.			New Coastal Wetlands Brochure Available Great Lakes shoreline property owners in Grand Traverse Bay, Saginaw Bay, and the Straits will soon find something fishy in their mailboxes. Similar to last summer's "Be a Great Lakes Steward," publication, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has produced a new brochure, "Fish and the Great Lakes – the Wetland Connection" about the importance of coastal wetlands for Great Lakes fish. The brochure explains why naturally fluctuating water levels are critical for coastal wetlands. It also describes the different ways in which Great Lakes fish species rely on intact coastal wetlands. Check out the brochure online If you would like one or more copies of the brochure, please email Chris Grubb
	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