A Bi-Weekly Publication  Friday September 9, 2005           In This Issue: ·         ACTION ALERT: BILL WOULD WEAKEN WETLAND PROTECTION ·         KATRINA AFTERMATH: LESSONS LEARNED ·         ONLY A FEWS DAYS LEFT FOR COMMENT TO GLRC     CONTACT YOUR REP TO OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 5127 Please make your voice heard this week by opposing House Bill 5127 which was introduced on September 6 by Representative Amos.  HB 5127 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 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 5127 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 Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment.  You can read HB 5127 as introduced. Contact your representative today and urge them to oppose HB 5127. LESSONS FROM NEW ORLEANS MUST NOT BE IGNORED   Hurricane Katrina has wreaked havoc in Louisiana and its impacts are indeed a horrific tragedy.  In the process of recovery, we must learn from this recent event to prevent future widespread devastation to the environment and humanity.   Settlers in New Orleans began draining wetlands 250 years ago and building on what had been sea and river bottom. For years, many have been warning that the New Orleans area and the entire Gulf Coast were terribly vulnerable to a big hurricane.  The destruction of wetlands and barrier dunes from massive developments and unwise land and water management set the scene for a disaster of catastrophic proportions.    While it took 30 years to strip away nature’s coastal protection and create the potential for an environmental disaster of this magnitude, it took nature only hours to prove the warnings true.   Why should we in Michigan be concerned about that?  Wetland loss in the 8 Great Lakes states from the 1780s to the 1980s totals 23.6 million acres or more than two thirds of the natural Great Lakes wetlands.  Although wetland protection regulations have slowed the rate of wetland losses, it is estimated by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that the United States still loses approximately 100,000 acres of wetlands annually.    While the amount of wetlands lost each year in Michigan is unknown, it is widely accepted that the amount of wetlands continues to decline.  According to a 1991 United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wetland Status and Trends report, over 50% of Michigan’s original wetlands have been drained or filled, thereby making the protection of remaining wetlands that much more important.   We’ve heard for decades about how important wetlands, dunes and barrier islands are for the survival of wildlife.  Now we know that they can also be crucial to the survival of people as well.  As we begin the rebuilding process in Louisiana, we must heed the lessons learned and encourage federal, state, and local governments to strengthen our wetland protection.  To avoid a similar disaster, we must work together to prevent further degradation of our Great Lakes and critical wetlands.   REMINDER: GLRC COMMENT PERIOD TO END ON FRIDAY The public comment period for the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) ends this Friday, September 9, 2005.  If you have not already provided comments, please do so immediately.  This draft plan represents a good first step towards comprehensive restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem.    To comment via email, visit http://www.glrc.us/.   The future of the Great Lakes and the remaining wetlands in Michigan are in your hands.  Your advocacy will be needed to ensure that there is a substantial national and state commitment of financial resources which are essential to implement the restoration action plan.  Look for updates on the GLRC and what you can do to protect these vital resources in future issues.   For more information, you can always visit http://www.restorethelakes.org/             Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 426 Bay Street , Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 x 114 Fax: (231) 347-5928 Email: mailto:grenetta@watershedcouncil.org  Web: http://www.michiganwetlands.org/