A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday April 25, 2008

In This Issue: · MICHIGAN MUST FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING · CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON THE CLEAN WATER RESTORATION ACT · COMPENSATORY MITIGATION RULES ISSUED · US HOUSE PASSES BALLAST WATER BILL MICHIGANS MUST FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE Wetlands and aquatic ecosystems are particularly sensitive to changes in climate. Climate change is expected to cause significant changes in the species composition of wetlands. Furthermore, a combination of increasing temperatures and less precipitation is expected to cause many wetland types to change, or even dry up completely. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Stop the Coal Rush & Demand Clean Energy Now! Global warming is the most significant environmental and humanitarian emergency that our planet has ever faced and the Governor's leadership is critical at this pivotal moment in our fight. Our state is threatened with an onslaught of at least seven new dirty coal-fired power plants that will keep Michigan locked in the energy dark ages, dependent on imported fossil fuels and producing more dangerous global warming pollution.   But we can fight back.  The Governor can continue her leadership in the fight for clean energy by ordering the Department of Environmental Quality to crack down on dangerous global warming pollution. Go to www.michigancleanenergynow.com and tell Governor Jennifer Granholm you will support her in the fight against global warming. The Governor needs our support.  Powerful energy special interests are working around the clock to build seven more coal plants in Michigan and take our state backwards. Take action now and help fight global warming at www.michigancleanenergynow.com. CLEAN WATER RESTORATION ACT HEARINGS The Clean Water Restoration Act took center stage in Congress this month with hearings in both the House and Senate. On April 9, 2008, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a legislative hearing on S. 1870, the Clean Water Restoration Act. To read the testimony or watch the hearing, click here. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure also had a hearing on the bill on April 16, 2008. To read the testimony or watch the hearing, click here. The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2007 would reaffirm the original intent of the Clean Water Act to protect all of the nation's waters from pollution.  Over the last 34 years, the Clean Water Act has led to great improvements in our water quality and protection of our water resources.  However, recent court decisions and agency guidance have resulted in a loss of longstanding protections to many small streams, wetlands, lakes and ponds.  These waters are the lifeblood of the nation’s diverse water systems, replenishing water supplies, filtering out pollution, slowing flood waters and providing habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. EPA AND CORPS ISSUE COMPENSATORY MITIGATION RULE The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new rule to clarify how to provide compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts to the nation's wetlands and streams. According to the agencies, the rule will enable the agencies to promote greater consistency, predictability and ecological success of mitigation projects under the Clean Water Act. The new rule establishes performance standards, sets timeframes for decision making, and to the extent possible, establishes equivalent requirements and standards for the three sources of compensatory mitigation: permittee-responsible mitigation, mitigation banks and in-lieu-fee programs. The new rule changes where and how mitigation is to be completed, but maintains existing requirements on when mitigation is required. The rule also preserves the requirement for applicants to avoid or minimize impacts to aquatic resources before proposing compensatory mitigation projects to offset permitted impacts For more information on the compensatory mitigation rule visit: http://www.epa.gov/wetlandsmitigation or http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/citizen.htm U.S. HOUSE PASSES BALLEST WATER BILL Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 2830) by a vote of 395 to 7. The Coast Guard bill contains provisions to stop the introduction of invasive species via ballast water discharge. The bill: • Establishes for the first time strong ballast water treatment standards; • Requires ballast water treatment technology on board commercial vessels in 2009 using an interim standard; • Establishes an aggressive time line for new, stronger U.S. treatment standard starting in 2012; and • Sets a national goal that ballast water discharged into U.S. waters contains no living organisms by 2015.  All eyes are now on the U.S. Senate to pass the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (S.1892). The two bills must then be reconciled in conference before heading to President Bush’s desk to be signed into law. However, President Bush threatened Wednesday to veto a House bill if it includes a provision requiring the Coast Guard to take charge of security around liquefied natural gas sites.

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/