Dear Friends:
As a Refuge supporter we urge you to voice you support for the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and let your representatives know funding for
the System must be increased in Fiscal Year 2011.
Friends came to Capitol Hill on March 9th and made compelling
cases for the needs of their refuges and NWRS and we thank them for coming.
Not every Friends organization was in a position to make the trek to
Washington DC, however every Friends group is in the position to demonstrate
their support for their refuge and the NWRS. Over the last three years
everyone has worked so hard to get increases to the NWRS's budget, let's not
lose the momentum now.
HERE'S THE ISSUE:
The President has proposed a $3.3 million funding decrease for the
National Wildlife Refuge System for next year (FY11). Because the NWRS
needs AT LEAST $15 million more annually to address the increased costs
associated with managing 150 million acres, the President's budget
request is actually A CUT of $18.3 million.
You can find a detailed analysis of the President's budget as it relates
to refuges and Fish Wildlife System on our website:
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Though we are deeply disappointed by this request, the good news is that
it is simply a blueprint and Congress ultimately holds the purse strings!
Congress will begin assembling their own funding proposals for the Refuge
System right away and your time to weigh in with Congress begins now! Below
are four easy things you can do - you can do one, two, three or all four!
Just let us know
if you need any help along the way and we ask you to keep us informed of your
actions so that when we communicate with various members on the Hill - we
know what they're hearing from YOU!
1. Submit Written Testimony for the Record
One of the best ways to influence the appropriations process is by
telling the members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,
Environment and Related Agencies exactly what you think! Every year,
the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees accept written
comments from organizations and the public. It's easy and is the next best
thing to meeting with the committee in person. The House Subcommittee
deadline for written testimony was MARCH 19, 2010 and many Friends submitted
testimony - THANK YOU!
The Senate's deadline for written testimony is May 14, 2010. Written
testimony must be received in the format outlined on the Senate subcommittee
website:
The top "Asks" for the National Wildlife Refuge System for 2011 are:
- Urge $578 million for
operations and maintenance accounts. The Refuge System needs $900
million annually to adequately manage its 150 million acres; a funding
allocation of $578 million in FY 11 will put the System on the road
towards full funding.
- Fully fund the Land
and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million, including $300
million for strategic land and easement acquisitions by the Refuge
System. NWRA urges Congress to pass S. 2747, legislation to permanently
fund the LWCF.
- Urge Congress to fund
the Department of Interior's Challenge-Cost Share Program. The program
was created to leverage funding through strategic partnerships to obtain
greater conservation objectives that would not be achieved by the
federal government on its own.
For more information on these "Asks" click HERE .
If your Friends group submits written testimony, please send me a copy for
our files. We would like to be able to mention in our testimony that XX
Friends groups have submitted comments as well - we will also, with your
permission, put your testimony on our website.
You can view NWRA's
testimony for next year and we are happy to provide suggestions on what
you should cover and highlight.
2. Set Up a District Office Visit
Call your U.S. Representatives and Senators offices and set up a meeting
with their district staff to talk about refuge funding needs. Urge them
to support $578 million for the Refuge System for FY 2011. Explain what
will happen to YOUR refuge with an $18.3 million cut to the System's budget
and also explain what your refuge has been able to do with the past 3 years
of budget increases.
Download materials for your lawmaker "Leave Behind" folder. You'll be able
to leave this with the Congressman or their staffer and will provide them
with additional information. Suggested materials to download include:
3. Invite Your Representatives to your Refuge
Ask your representatives to visit your refuge. Currently, both Houses are
on recess until April 9th. Call the local office and speak to the
scheduler to see if a visit can be arranged over the next two weeks or over
the Memorial Day recess. During the visit highlight the ecological,
community, and economic services your refuge provides and how reduced funding
will potentially impact these services.
Download
materials for your lawmaker "Take Away" folder. Provide this to your lawmaker
or their staffer before they leave your refuge. Suggested materials to
download include:
4. Send an instant letter to your elected officials
Send an instant letter to your elected officials urging them to support
$578 million for Refuge System funding for FY11. Go to http://refugenet.e-actionmax.com/showalert.asp?aaid=4610
For more information on any of these items or to get personalized
assistance, please contact Joan
Patterson.
Copyright � 2010 National Wildlife Refuge Association.
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