People always ask what SAMA means. It started as kind of a joke. It was a sleeting, snowy day in early December. My friend and I were surfing a swell in Grand Haven. I looked over at him knowing we were supposed to both be at pre-Christmas family functions soon, and said "We are like Self Absorbed Michigan Adventurers." That kind of stuck, and like many of our friends we have a common passion for outdoor sports in Michigan, and we go out in any weather to get our sessions. He replied "Ya, SAMA!"

So it was born, the SAMA logo was fashioned by another like minded surfer friend from Grand Haven. SAMA is for all of you year round Michiganders and vacationers who know, love, and respect all the outdoor activities there are to do in Michigan. No matter the weather you will find us us out enjoying all the benefits of our unique freshwater paradise.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Please help Indiana

Indiana Proposes to Delete Waters From Its Impaired Waters List
Due to Missing Data on Mercury and PCB Pollution

Deadline for Group Sign on: Noon, Wednesday January 30, 2008

Alliance for the Great Lakes Comment Letter attached and below in this email

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management plans to delete many rivers and streams from its statewide list of impaired waters, including several tributaries to Lake Michigan. Under Indiana’s proposed new methodology, many waters that formerly were listed as impaired will be deleted from the list even though Indiana advises the public that it is unsafe to eat fish from these waters because of mercury and PCB contamination. Many of these waters will be removed even though Indiana has no data on mercury and PCB contamination levels for the waters. As a result, Indiana will not be required to create plans to restore these waters since they will no longer be listed as impaired.

The federal Clean Water Act requires Indiana to update its impaired water list every two years. Indiana must develop plans called TMDLs to improve water quality in the listed impaired waters that are unable to achieve water quality standards. The Alliance has developed the attached comment letter on Indiana’s proposal and is seeking support for our concerns by inviting groups throughout the state to sign onto the letter. Our concerns include:

· Indiana must develop TMDLs or specify alternative measures to restore waters impaired by mercury or PCBs;
· Impaired waters must not be delisted because IDEM lacks data using new methods for evaluating contamination; and
· Indiana’s new method for evaluating water impairment from fish tissue data must not be less protective for mercury and PCB pollution.

Indiana must receive all public comments on its impaired water list by January 31, 2008. More information on Indiana’s proposal can be found on Indiana’s website at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/programs/water/303d/index.html

To join the Alliance comment letter: Contact Lyman Welch by Noon, Wednesday January 30, at LWelch@greatlakes.org or 312-939-0838 ext. 230. Please include in your message: Your name, your title and the group you represent.
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