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BAD WETLANDS BILL REINTRODUCED
Make
your voice heard by opposing House Bill 4623 which was introduced on April
19 by Representative Amos. As
previously introduced, HB 4623 would amend the Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection Act to exempt the construction, maintenance,
or widening of a driveway. This would tie the DEQ's hands when
reviewing driveway applications through the General Permit process.
Under existing law, even General Permit applicants must first show
they have considered all alternatives that would have less impact on
wetlands. The bill would prevent the DEQ from requiring applicants to
consider the use of alternative upland building sites on the property
that would take away the need for the proposed driveway. This bill basically is exempting activities
that can significantly damage wetlands. Not only would the passage of this
bill allow for the destruction of wetlands, it holds the potential to
weaken wetland protection within the state of Michigan.
HB 4623 would jeopardize Michigan's
assumption of the federal
wetland program. Michigan has a proud tradition of being one of only two
states to administer the federal
Section 404 Program (wetlands protection). To keep the authority to administer
Section 404, the state must maintain a program that is equivalent to
the federal program. Broadening state exemptions beyond
the specifications of the federal
exemptions would reduce the current equivalency standards, therefore,
putting the state's assumption in jeopardy.
This bill has been referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment.
You can read HB 4623
as introduced.
Contact your Representative today
and urge them to oppose HB 4623.
CELEBRATE AMERICAN WETLANDS MONTH
  
The annual celebration of American
Wetlands Month in May inspires and empowers people to protect, preserve,
and expand wetlands. Wetlands
Month was inaugurated in 1991 by EPA and its partners in federal, state, tribal, and local
governments, as well as private and nonprofit organizations, as a way
to educate Americans about the value of wetlands as a natural
resource.
During American Wetlands Month, we
applaud the contributions that wetlands make to our lives and the Michigan
wetland advocates who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure
protection of our wetland wonders.
Please take some time this month to visit one of your area’s
wetlands to be delighted by all the wonderful sounds and sights to be
experienced as wildlife springs to life after our long winter.
  
ALIEN INVADERS: INVASIVE SPECIES AND WETLANDS
The Izaak Walton League of America will celebrate
American Wetlands Month by focusing on the theme "Alien
Invaders: Invasive Species and Wetlands." The League is educating people about the serious threat that
invasive species pose to wetlands and
what can be done to stop the spread of alien invaders. Although wetlands only cover 6 percent of the Earth's
surface, they host 25 percent of all invasive species. These
invasives reduce the ability of wetlands to provide flood protection,
water filtration, wildlife habitat, and other valuable functions. By
participating in invasive species prevention and control, Americans
can help reverse this trend of wetland degradation.
For more information, visit http://www.iwla.org.
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