A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday October 22, 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. MWAC eNEWS CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, LOOKS BACK AT WETLAND ISSUES OF 2003-2004 It is my pleasure to send you the 26^th issue of the MWAC eNewsletter – celebrating a full year of bi-weekly wetland protection updates and advocacy opportunities. We are a growing network of Michigan citizens dedicated to promoting wetland protection, and we're making a difference already. Over 500 of us recently told the DEQ "No Way!" when they proposed to create a new General Permit that would threaten coastal wetlands. At a May hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, MWAC was instrumental in organizing top scientists and policy experts to testify on the damage caused by last year's beach dooming amendments. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' new General Permit for beach dooming was significantly scaled back from the original proposal thanks to the efforts of MWACers. At the end of this legislative session, several Bad Bills will die because we let our legislators know that weakening protection for wetlands simply won't fly. It's important to recognize the great progress we've made in the past year – most notably in turning the tide on the beach dooming issue. Our hard work defeating the legislative assault on wetlands sets the stage for proactive work to maintain state assumption of the federal wetland program, better protect isolated wetlands, and more. The next issue will look toward future threats and opportunities for wetland protection in Michigan. In the meantime, I invite you to encourage others to signup for the eNewsletter, and also to share your thoughts about how we can better build and maintain an effective grassroots advocacy network to protect Michigan's wetlands. TIP OF THE MITT RELEASES "RESTORING THE CONNECTIONS" Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has released a wonderful new publication: Restoring the Connections – Stories of Ecosystem Restoration in the Great Lakes. This 4 color, 44 page book features 18 successful ecosystem restoration projects from across the Great Lakes. The projects demonstrate many kinds of ecosystem restoration - from wetland restorations to the redeveloped Ford Rouge facility and from urban streambank stabilization with native vegetation to dredging contaminated sediments. To order a copy, please call (231) 347-1181 x. 100. Restoring the Connections will also be available at the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council website on Monday.			Get Out the Vote – For Wetlands! There are only 11 days left until election day! We encourage you to support candidates that will take protecting Michigan's wetlands seriously. It's important to remember that decisions affecting our wetland resources are made at all levels – from the President to your local township board. The Michigan LCV Scorecard is helpful when considering candidates for the State House. NWF Releases Conservation Blueprint for Wetlands The National Wildlife Federation has released a Conservation Blueprint for America's Wetlands that lists 10 steps elected officials should take to better conserve wetlands. Over 150 hunting and angling groups in Florida have signed onto the blueprint, and NWF is hoping that similar groups in Michigan will sign on too. If you are a member of a hunting and/or angling group and would like to sign on, please email Julie Sibbing at NWF.
	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