A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday December 3, 2004

				In This Issue: MWAC / Lone Tree Council Response to ABC Wetland Story Bad Bills Not Dead Yet National Wetlands Awards Nominations MWAC / LONE TREE COUNCIL RESPOND TO ABC WETLAND STORY The following is a joint MWAC / Lone Tree Council response sent to ABC channel 12 (WJRT-TV) in response to a story that aired this week: As wetland advocates, we were pleased that Mr. Camp acknowledged that Michigan has lost nearly half of its pre-settlement wetlands. Mr. Camp pointed to some (but not all) of the functions and values that wetlands provide. Simply stated, wetlands are water features of enormous value to all citizens of the state. We are, however, concerned about the apparently growing disregard for the DEQ's responsibility to enforce the Wetland Protection Act. There is nothing more fundamental to Michigan than our water, and wetlands are pivotal to keeping our water clean. Protecting our state's wetlands (and therefore water) from those who would destroy them for personal benefit is absolutely an appropriate role of government. These are not cases of a rogue agency - what Mr. Kozak described as the DEQ's desire to create wetlands everywhere. Clearly, these are cases of the DEQ rightfully responding to violations of State law. The Wetland Protection Act has served to protect wetlands and the public's interest in clean water for 25 years. While this region's settlers may not have recognized the connection between functioning wetlands and clean water, ignorance can no longer be an excuse. For this reason, we applaud your station for educating the public about our state's Wetland Protection Act, and encourage you to highlight wetland protection efforts in the future. Read / View the ABC Story BAD BILLS NOT DEAD YET We are keeping our eye on two bad bills during this "lame duck" session of the Legislature. As pointed out in previous issues of the MWAC eNewsletter, HB 5441 and HB 5274 would both be disastrous for wetlands. HB 5441 would jeopardize the state's assumption of the federal (Section 404) wetland program. HB 5274 would let county road commissions off the hook in mitigating for wetland impacts. Learn more about these bills on the MWAC Website			National Wetlands Awards Nominations Deadline extended until January 15 Nominations for the prestigious National Wetlands Awards are due January 15^th. The awards are given out annually by the Environmental Law Institute (with additional sponsors). The 2005 awards will be given out in six categories: Education and Outreach; Science Research; Conservation and Restoration; Landowner Stewardship; State, Tribal, and Local Program Development; and Wetland Community Leader. Last year, Michigan's own Peg Bostwick (of the DEQ) very deservingly won the award. Download the Application Form
	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