|
Keep the Pressure On: Urge Congress to Fund Everglades Projects!
YOUR CALLS AND EMAILS ARE WORKING
WRDA is on the verge of seeing floor time in the Senate!
Help with the final push:
· If you haven't called or written previously, please do so now!
· If you've called or written in past months, send your Senators an email supporting their attempts to get this important legislation heard!
Background: The U.S. Senate continues to stall important legislation that would authorize restoration of important ecosystems like the Everglades. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) would authorize these ecosystem restoration projects, which in turn would mitigate harmful federal drainage projects, restore more than 300,000 acres of wetlands and significant estuarine habitat, and help secure America's outdoor recreation economy. WRDA 2006 should also include provisions to modernize the Army Corps of Engineers and direct limited resources toward projects that will enhance the natural system to the maximum extent, while accomplishing other Corps missions.
Specific Implications for Everglades Restoration: The Indian River Lagoon and Picayune Strand are two crucial restoration projects scheduled for authorization in the WRDA. Both projects mitigate harmful federal drainage projects and help the Everglades by restoring more than 160,000 acres of wetlands and significant estuarine habitat. The projects will also improve water quality for the Everglades, Florida Bay, Ten Thousand Islands, St. Lucie Estuary, and Lake Okeechobee.
Improvements Needed: WRDA 2006 should also include provisions to modernize the Army Corps of Engineers and direct limited resources toward projects that will enhance the natural system to the maximum extent, while accomplishing other Corps missions.
|
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The House has already passed its version of WRDA (H.R. 2864) but the Senate is delaying action on its version of the bill (S. 728). Urge your Senators to continue to press Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to schedule WRDA for floor action now!
(1) Call your senators! Florida's Senate Delegation:
Sen. Mel Martinez, (202) 224-3041 and
Sen. Bill Nelson, (202) 224-5274.
Live outside of Florida?
Find your senators' phone numbers online here.
(2) Call Senate Majority Leader Frist: (202) 224-3344
(3) Email your senators through our Advocacy Center. |
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please ask Senate Majority Leader Frist to schedule WRDA immediately!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to ask that you please continue to press Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to schedule WRDA and Everglades restoration for floor action immediately.
The US House of Representatives has already passed its version of this important legislation and now the US Senate runs the risk of being held responsible for delaying much overdue Everglades Restoration for yet another year.
Please help make the legacy of the 109th Congress one of Everglades restoration. WRDA would enable the restoration of more than 160,000 acres of Everglades wetlands and significant estuarine habitat. It would also improve water quality for the Everglades, Florida Bay, 10,000 Islands, St. Lucie Estuary, and Lake Okeechobee.
Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of this national treasure.
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
June 20, 2006
|
