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DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CORPS NWPS MONDAY!!!!
The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has submitted a proposal
to reissue and/or modify existing Nationwide Permit (NWP) categories
to the MDEQ. The proposal renews the 44 Nationwide Permits that have
been in effect for the last 5 years and expire in March 2007. The USACE also proposes to expand NWPs by adding 6 new Nationwide Permits. Coastal
states, including Michigan,
have the opportunity to limit the scope of the NWPs
applicable in their coastal zones in order to ensure that federal permitting of activities is
consistent with their coastal zone waters and natural resources
protection objectives. The
Michigan Coastal Management Program will be reviewing the proposed reissuance and modifications for consistency with
the Coastal Management Program.
The public can provide comments during this federal consistency review of the USACE
renewal of NWPs.
Nearly all of Michigan’s waterways have suffered
substantial environmental impacts over time. This is especially true
of Michigan’s
wetlands – approximately one-half of our wetland resources have been
lost since European settlement.
In some cases, these impacts have resulted from large
projects. However, the vast
majority have suffered impacts from the accretion of numerous “small”
impacts. Akin to the “death by
a thousand cuts,” these small impacts have resulted in substantial
cumulative impacts. Nationwide Permits provide the institutional
“rubber stamp” on projects that would otherwise be reviewed on an
individual permit basis. To
ensure potential adverse impacts, individually and cumulatively, are
avoided or minimized, please provide comments on the proposed NWPs.
Specifically, the DEQ should deny the
following NWPs that will result in
significant degradation of our water resources in Michigan:
15) U.S. Coast Guard Approved
Bridges
17) Hydropower Projects
23) Approved Categorical Exclusions
25) Structural Discharges
28) Modifications of Existing Marinas
33) Temporary Construction, Access and
Dewatering
34) Cranberry Production Activities
40) Agricultural Activities
44) Mining Activities
48) Existing Commercial Shellfish
Aquaculture Activities
49) Coal Remining
Activities
50) Underground Coal Mining Activities
Additionally, the DEQ should deny certification
for all activities associated within sensitive natural resource areas
including: a Federally
designated wild and scenic river, a State designated natural area, a
State or Federally
designated wilderness or environmental area, a riverine
floodway, a State or Federally
listed or proposed threatened or endangered species, an identified
historic or archeological area, an identified recharge area for
drinking water aquifers, or a rare or unique ecological type.
The proposed
2007 Nationwide Permits can be viewed on the USACE website at www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/nationwide_permits.htm.
All written
comments must be received by May 21, 2007 and should be submitted to:
Chris Antieau
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Land
and Water Management Division
P.O. Box 30458
Lansing, MI 48909
SENATE
PASSES WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACT
This week,
the Senate approved the long-awaited Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA) addressing the needs of the Great Lakes
region including a provision to protect our Lakes from the Asian
carp. WRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
upgrade the current demonstration barrier to a permanent one.
This authorization includes complete construction of the permanent
barrier and operation of the electric barriers to prevent Asian carp
and other invasive species from entering the Great
Lakes.
Other Great
Lakes provisions include authorization for the removal of obsolete or
deteriorating dams, or modification of dam operations in order to
preserve valuable habitat by restoring natural flow conditions and
protect downstream resources against possible dam failures;
authorization of projects consistent with the St. Clair River-Lake
St. Clair Comprehensive Management Plan, which addresses
environmental problems such as pollution and invasive species in the
watershed; increasing the money authorized for the Great Lakes
Fishery and Restoration of Ecosystems Program for projects to
restore aquatic habitats; and providing technical assistance to state
and local agencies for Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans for our
Areas of Concern (AOCs).
Now that the Senate and House of Representatives have
both passed their versions of WRDA, the next step is to resolve
differences between the two bills in conference before a final vote.
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