A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday February 1, 2008

In This Issue: · “GROOMED” SHORELINE TO BE RESTORED · SHORELINE MANAGEMENT SAGA CONTINUES · BALLAST WATER REGULATION PROPOSED RESTORATION PLANNED FOR “BEACH GROOMING” VIOLATION In September 2007, 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.” Not only did Tamarack Lodge conduct unauthorized work along the shoreline but the violation happened to occur right before DEQ staff as they were undergoing training. According to the Traverse City Record Eagle, Tamarack Lodge intends to take an “innovative” approach to restoration of the site that will go above the restoration requirements of the DEQ and Army Corps of Engineers. The restoration plan includes replanting native wetland species, removal of invasive species and a trail with educational signs. The full story can be accessed at http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_017100304.html. SHORELINE MANGEMENT SAGA CONTINUES According to The Bay City Time, SOS is suing the University of Michigan over an educational brochure, Along the Shore, which provides information to shoreline property owners on what shoreline management activities are allowed under state and federal law and which require permits. Apparently, displeased with the information provided, SOS requested, among other items, the mailing list under the Freedom of Information Act in order to provide their own information on shoreline management. You can read the article “Property-rights group files lawsuit against U-M” at http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1199808917148030.xml&coll=4 NEW PROPOSED BALLAST WATER REGULATIONS The U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation recently issued a proposed rule that would require all oceangoing vessels bound for U.S. ports to flush their ballast tanks with saltwater before entering the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system. The proposed rule which was announced January 16 is scheduled to take effect in late March, before the new navigation season begins. The rule would apply to NOBOB vessels, those vessels that declare no ballast on board which have previously been exempt from U.S. Coast Guard regulations mandating ballast water exchange at sea. These proposed regulations are an improvement over existing regulations in that they ensure all vessels entering the Great Lakes system are subject to uniform regulations. This is an important intermediary step toward reducing the risk of invasion by non-native aquatic species brought in by ocean-going vessels. Unfortunately, these regulations alone are not enough to protect the Great Lakes and U.S. waters from all aquatic invaders. Since saltwater flushing is only partially effective at eliminating potentially harmful organisms that reside in ballast tanks, further measures are still needed to protect the lakes against the threat of ballast-borne invasive species. Congress needs to expand upon these rules and fully protect our waters by fixing and passing strong ballast water legislation. Congress is currently considering ballast water legislation but at this time, there are places where the bills must be strengthened. In order to ensure that the bills provide the utmost protection to the Great Lakes economy and ecosystem, the legislation needs to require vessels to use technologies that meet a stringent discharge standard, would not preempt states’ rights or the Clean Water Act, and would set a strong deadline for implementation of new standards.

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/