A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday November 4 , 2005

In This Issue: · MORE PRELIMINARY WETLAND INVENTORIES COMPLETED · FEDERAL AGENCIES BACK OUT OF GREAT LAKES RESTORATION · CONGRESSMAN CAMP PUSHES FOR BEACH GROOMING JUST RELEASED: PRELIMINARY WETLAND INVENTORIES Preliminary wetland inventories are now available for 61 counties in the state of Michigan. The purpose of the wetland inventory is to provide potential and approximate locations of wetlands and wetland conditions. It is intended that the inventories be used as one tool in planning for development, open space designations, zoning, etc. as a way to protect wetland resources. The maps are not intended to be used to determine the specific locations and jurisdictional boundaries of wetland areas subject to regulation under Part 303. Only an on-site evaluation performed by the DEQ in accordance with Part 303 can be used for jurisdictional determinations. The DEQ has a Wetland Assessment Program to assist property owners with identifying the location of any wetlands on their property and whether the wetlands are regulated. Preliminary wetland inventory maps for 61 counties are available in pdf format from the Center for Geographic Information website.  Paper copies of these preliminary wetland inventory maps can be ordered with a Request for Preliminary Wetland Inventory Maps Form. The Center for Geographic Information website includes downloadable GIS data for 26 preliminary wetland inventory maps.  The preliminary wetlands inventories for the remaining 24 counties are planned to be available by December of next year. FEDS: NO NEW FUNDING FOR GREAT LAKES RESTORATION In the last MWAC newsletter, we addressed the leaked report from administration officials intended for President Bush that restoration should be pursued only within the scope of existing programs and existing funds, while excluding new revenue sources. Despite numerous promises that such language would be removed from the document, that same wording was found in the report which was recently sent to the President. The report, issued by the EPA on behalf of a Cabinet-level task force, claimed federal officials had “serious concerns” with the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration’s draft restoration action plan. The task force urged no new money for Great Lakes programs beyond what is currently budgeted and encouraged “improving the efficiency and effectiveness of existing programs.” While we are already spending money on the Great Lakes, the existing resources are clearly not enough. Under the current budgeted programs, the Lakes are experiencing a greater number of beach closings, higher concentrations of toxins in our fish, and substantial impacts from the inability to control and prevent exotic species. More is needed and yet, the federal agencies are backing down from the commitment to protect and restore our Great Lakes. The problems facing the Great Lakes cannot be solved solely by improved efficiency of current programs.  We must have new resources and additional funds so that the final plan leads to the restoration of one of the country’s greatest natural resources. Now more than ever, we need to show the President and our elected officials that we care about our Lakes and that we expect them to prove the commitment they made by taking action. Contact the President and your U.S. Representative and Senators telling them to both fully fund and implement the GLRC’s Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes and to keep the promise made to restore this great natural treasure. For more information on recent developments and what you can do, visit www.restorethelakes.org. CONGRESSMAN WANTS CHANGE IN GROOMING Members of the Army Corps of Engineers and Congressman David Camp visited East Bay recently in an effort to help the owner of Cherry Tree Inn in Traverse City convert an additional 45 feet of wetlands into more beach area. The State of Michigan issued a controversial pilot grooming program which would allow Michael MacColeman, owner of the Cherry Tree Inn, to groom or grade 50 percent, or 200 feet, of the exposed Lake Michigan bottomlands behind the inn. The Corps, on the other hand, has a stated goal of restricting wetlands destruction in that area of East Bay to about one-third and, therefore, offered MacColeman a 155 foot stretch of beach rather than the entire 200 feet. It is highly unusual for such a high official to visit a property over a minor permit application. Interestingly enough, after an earlier visit to the site by Camp and Corps officials, MacColeman donated money twice to the Republican National Congressional Committee. MacColeman said the political contributions weren’t meant to thank Camp for his attention. According to Camp’s spokesman, Camp does not favor destruction of half the wetlands, he just wants the Corp to work with the state.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 426 Bay Street , Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 x 114 Fax: (231) 347-5928 Email: jenniferm@watershedcouncil.org Web: http://www.michiganwetlands.org/