Leelanau Narrows: The Lake Leelanau Lake Association has appealed the DEQ decision to issue a permit for 14 slips in the Lake Leelanau Narrows. The plan is to show the court why this decision is contrary to Michigan law. The case was assigned to Judge Rodgers, the parties have been served and have 28 days to answer, and then the Court will issue a schedule. We find this decision unacceptable on the part of the DEQ and its judges. Elk Rapids Wetlands: Two development projects have been stalled since 2002 because of unauthorized wetland fills. These include the Elk Rapids Preserve and the adjacent Capa Bran Estates. Both are located in the southwest corner of the Village of Elk Rapids. The Corps of Engineers has ordered wetland restoration at both sites only 650 feet from Grand Traverse Bay. The developers of the Capa Bran Estates have filed a formal appeal while the Elk Rapids Preserve still needs to complete local permitting and submit a restoration plan to the Corps. NMEAC members can help by calling the office of Congressman Bart Stupak at 202-225-4735 asking for the Congressman's support to make certain these important wetlands are properly restored. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has often said "this is the largest wetland fill in northern Michigan" since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. Williamsburg Receiving & Storage Co.: NMEAC supported a citizens' group in Whitewater Township in a successful lawsuit which was settled in January, 2007. WRS had serious problems with both air and water pollution as a result of marischino cherry processing operation. Since that time citizens have received a large portion of a $350,000 settlement and independent odor evaluators have been hired to answer citizen complaints concerning smells from WRS. Reports from the Whitewater citizens' group indicate the odors have subsided considerably but there were some minor smell events during the 2007 cherry season. Details of the settlement regarding electronic odor detectors continue to be worked out by attorneys from Olson, Bzdok & Howard. Recent Issues Discussed at NMEAC Board Meetings: Recycling at the National Cherry Festival Recycling at the Traverse City Film Festival Weakening of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) by the Michigan Supreme Court Proposed coal plants in Rogers City and in other locations in Michigan Cherry Tree Inn destruction of a coastal wetland in the southeast corner of East Bay Traverse City Boaters' Village along with problems from E. coli last summer Re-organization of the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) Timbershores Inland Lakes Associations Acme Village Update Bylaws Update

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