A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday November 2, 2007

In This Issue: · EXEMPTIONS FOR “BEACH GROOMING” FINALLY EXPIRE! · ANOTHER “BEACH GROOMING” VIOLATION · VETO THREAT BECOMES REALITY · GREAT LAKES RESTORATION = ECONOMIC PROSPERITY LONG AWAITED EXPIRATION OF “BEACH GROOMING” PROVISIONS On November 1, 2007, the exemptions for mowing and other shoreline maintenance activities authorized under PA 14 expired! As a result, certain shoreline management activities now require a General Permit (GP) from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). While small scale shoreline activities done by hand do not require a permit, mechanized activities or larger scale activities now require a permit. The following activities that may qualify under the General Permit: Leveling and grooming of sand in areas free of vegetation; Construction and maintenance of a temporary access walkway using on-site materials; Limited mowing of vegetation for a pathway and certain recreation areas, and; Limited mowing for control of invasive or non-native species (such as Phragmites australis) in compliance with an invasive species control plan. To protect the health of our coastal wetlands and Great Lakes, it is best to allow shoreline vegetation to remain untouched. Beach maintenance and removal of vegetation significantly alters the chemical and physical conditions of nearshore waters, kills aquatic vegetation, increases the spread of invasive species, decreases the number of invertebrates (the source of food for fish), and reduces fish populations in the Great Lakes. Taken together, these impacts equal disaster for our Great Lakes coastal wetlands. For more information on the Great Lakes Shoreline Management or the new General Permit, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3687-70142--,00.html A permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required for most activities that alter Great Lakes coastal areas. For more information on Corps requirements, visit: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/index.cfm?chn_id=1081 ANOTHER COASTAL WETLAND VIOLATION ALONG GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Nearly a month and a half before the shoreline management or “beach grooming” exemptions expired, another coastal wetland along Grand Traverse Bay was lost in the name of “beach grooming.” However, an interesting twist to the story is that the shoreline management violations happened to occur right before DEQ staff as they were undergoing training. See the Record Eagle story “DEQ sees violation in progress” for more information on the occurrence at http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_300093043.html. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT VETOED This morning, President Bush came through on his threat and vetoed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) because of its hefty price tag. WRDA authorizes several programs to restore the Great Lakes, including the construction of an electric barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to keep the non-native Asian carp from entering the lakes. In addition to the Asian carp barrier, the comprehensive water projects bill authorizes Great Lakes programs that support: · Restoration of habitat and fishery through the Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration Act; · Clean-up of toxic harbors through the Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans; · Reduction of soil erosion and non-point source pollution through the Great Lakes Tributary Model Program; and, · Removal of dams to restore habitat through the Aquatic Ecosystem and Estuary Restoration Program. It is predicted that both the House and Senate will hold override votes next week that will succeed since the bill passed both chambers by overwhelming margins. GREAT LAKES RESTORATION CAN DRIVE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR REGION At a Congressional briefing today, stakeholders from industry, cities, and environmental groups stressed the importance of comprehensive Great Lakes restoration as a wise investment, well worth making now. The briefing highlighted findings of a recently released cost-benefit analysis, conducted by the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. The report offers a cost-benefit analysis based on the comprehensive restoration of the Great Lakes, as called for by a broad stakeholder strategy. This restoration blueprint has been introduced as federal legislation, the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act. The strategy calls for stopping sewage contamination, preventing invasive species introductions, cleaning up polluted harbors, and restoring wetlands and wildlife habitat. According to the report, eighty billion dollars in short- and long-term economic benefit derived from the restoration of the Great Lakes should inspire Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to stop sewage contamination, stem the tide of invasive species and restore wetlands. For more information, visit: http://www.brookings.edu/projects/great-lakes.aspx http://www.cgli.org/ http://www.glslcities.org/ http://www.healthylakes.org/

The Michigan Wetland Action Coalition (MWAC), a project of Tip of The Mitt Watershed Council, is a network of wetland protection advocates across the state. MWAC is focused on promoting sound wetland protection policies at the state and federal level through education and advocacy. 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/