State Law On Wetlands
If you want to write a letter to the MDEQ, the file is open. Letters should include the file number for Celery Pond, 05-80-0061-P. Direct your letters to MDEQ, Michelle DeLong, File Manager, and Kameron Jordan, District Supervisor,Land & Water Management Division, 7953 Adobe Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-5026. The MDEQ plans to visit the mitigation site and the Celery Pond during the first week of April, so things are moving fast.
Protection and conservation of Michigan’s wetlands are given Executive Directive from Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s office and from legislative initiative of Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963. The reigning Governor is reponsible to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
Conservation and development of the natural resources of the State of Michigan are “of paramount public concern in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the people under Section 52 of Article IV of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.”
“Wetland conservation is a matter of state concern since a wetland in one county may be affected by acts on a river, lake, stream, or wetland in other counties.”
“The conservation of wetlands is crucial to the continuing vitality of Michigan’s natural resources and economic development because wetlands provide such critical functions as flood and storm water control, widlife habitat, breeding, nesting, and feeding grounds for endangered species; protection of subsurface water resources and recharging of ground water supplies; pollution treatment; erosion control; sources of nutrients for aquatic food cycles, and nursery grounds and sanctuaries for fish…”
These quotes from the Constitution of the State of Michigan verify the need of wetlands. The State Constitution clearly states that wetlands are critical for maintaining many levels of existence. The State Constitution also declares that one local decision over a wetland/floodplain in a watershed can affect many other counties.
How then can anyone believe that dredging or developing a wetland such as Celery Pond is right?
With these words of law, is the silent rule of our conscience, one that knows that Nature’s balances are meant to be sustained. If you feel strongly about the wetland and believe that it should be kept a wetland, please write a letter to the MDEQ now.
