A senator responds.....

[ScoopJohnD]

A few weeks ago there was a series of articles in the T-P about the eroding wetlands. After reading it I popped off a few letters expressing my concern and urging action attaching the first part of the series. Today I got an email from my Senator, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)

Dear Mr. Dachik :

Thank you very much for writing to me about the restoration of damaged Gulf Coast wetlands. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this important issue.

The loss and degradation of wetlands, including coastal wetlands, is one of the most serious ecological problems facing the United States today. The situation was worsened considerably by the loss of and damage to so many wetlands caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. These wetlands have acted as a natural buffer against hurricane damage, and many experts believe that their already depleted condition exacerbated Katrina's impact .

While restoring these wetlands will be difficult and costly, I do believe that it must be an essential part of our rebuilding efforts in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast . Please know that as a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and as your Senator, I am strongly supporting wetlands restoration as an important part of our continuing hurricane recovery efforts. Moreover, I hope that Congress will soon embrace an environmental policy that endorses protection of wetlands by passing the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act (S. 912), which I have co-sponsored .

Thanks again for contacting me. If I can be of assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again.


Is the little letter I wrote going to change the world? Probably not. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't have been written. I had a voice, I used it, and someone heard it. We all can be heard, on ANY issue, unless we remain silent.

Here's a pretty good site to get you started.
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

[Zydekitten]

YYR - I've communicated with my elected representatives here in Cali too regarding LA.

Good for you (and Sen. Lautenberg), Scoopy!!! Have a dink on me in da bar!!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/Zydekitten/muah-1.gif

[pokerchick66]

Yayyy Scoop! I am very proud of you. Joisey in da house!!

Come get your free beer.

[breambob]

TY, scoop. Coastal and wetlands erosion is a passion of mine, it is THE most important key in restoration. Even more than levee and floodwall / floodgate reconstruction, IMO.

Here are the members of that commitee:

http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Members.Home

Some genuine heavyweights there, lets all give them a mail item encouraging action on the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas. We've been neglected. And abused.

And kudos to Senator Lautenberg. I've always thought he was a good public servant and patriot.

[bywterbro]

Healthy Waters-Click here to act
Industry attacks on Clean Water Act protections for headwater streams, wetlands, and other waters are heating up in Washington D.C. and in the courts. If we want to preserve our local streams and make sure that the over 1,100 polluted waters in the Gulf states are cleaned up, the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act is now more important than ever.

Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, will soon reintroduce this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives along with Congressmen John Dingell (D-MI) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). The bill's champion in the Senate, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), has also announced his plans to reintroduce the bill. We have a tremendous opportunity to help concerned citizens across the country rally congressional support for the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act by encouraging both new and returning members of Congress to become original co-sponsors of this bill in the 110th Congress.

Please send an email to your Representative and Senators and ask them to become a co-sponsor of this vital piece of legislation.
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/GRN/campaign/?campaign_KEY=7039

United For A Healthy Gulf,
Cyn Sarthou
Executive Director

The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The GRN has members in the five Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The GRN will not sell or share your information.

**Visit our website at www.healthygulf.org.**

[Belle]

I was an elected official for some time and wanted to share my thoughts on constituent calls, letters and email's. The majority do not care about issues but the folks who care enough to write or call always make an impression. the load as you know cannot be carried by one caring resident or one politician. The committee must be all communicated to by several. It takes little effort to do so and can make a real difference. My letter from VA has gone to my Senate representative along with his colleagues.

It takes little time and does good.

[ozzie]

Is the little letter I wrote going to change the world? Probably not. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't have been written. I had a voice, I used it, and someone heard it. We all can be heard, on ANY issue, unless we remain silent.

True dat. :)

[ScoopJohnD]

Just a little bump for those who might want to use their voice.

[steeleye]

Scoop, I follow your lead in music AND politics. Thanks. Leters will be sent.