Example Letter 

Dear Mr. President, Secretary Babbitt and U.S. Representative, 

I am writing to you today to request that the U.S. government, including the Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services), abandon the current use of "No Surprises," "Safe Harbor" and "Candidate Conservation Agreements" when implementing the Endangered Species Act on privately held public trust lands. In addition, I most strongly urge the Clinton/Babbitt administration and U.S. Congress to oppose Senate Bill 1180 as introduced by Senator Kempthorne.

Furthermore, I oppose all "riders" being placed in the Interior Appropriations Bill as a back ally approach to change and weaken the Endangered Species Act. Apparently, the "Safe Harbor" approach has already been placed in the Interior Appropriations Bill along with corporate welfare subsidies totaling $17 million (tax payers) dollars. Please take corrective actions immediately to prevent codification of "Safe Harbor" programs and agreements. All public funds, especially those held in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, must be used for acquisition of habitats essential to endangered species survival and recovery -- not for the development and implementation of plans or programs that result in a net loss of habitat acres and decline in numbers of endangered species populations. 

As an American citizen, lover of wildlife and the great outdoors I must tell you how deeply disappointed I am in my government and you, as representatives of "We the People." I remind you that our nations plants, fish and wildlife are held in "public trust" and are not privately owned. It is an outrage that American Bald Eagles, our countryıs symbol, and over 400 various other species are being killed through the expanded use of Incidental Take Permits and Habitat Conservation Plans with "No Surprises" guarantees, affecting more than 19 million acres nationwide.

I am greatly offended that my government representatives would place the whims, desires and private economic gain of corporate land holders over the "public trust" to conserve endangered species and Americaıs natural heritage. Corporate domination over the land and politics is consuming the heart of this, once great, country. Corporate landholders, such as International Paper that control over 6.4 million acres of forest habitats, and other private landholders are not "sovereign nations" exempt from federal regulations. These corporate and private landholders must be held accountable and responsible, just as all Americans, to protect our natural heritage. 

I am asking you, as my government representative, to take a leadership position in standing up for the common good and public trust by defending and protecting endangered species. More than 84% of the public polled have stated that they want protection for endangered species. More than 300 of the countryıs scientists, and world renowned conservation biologists oppose "No Surprises" guarantees and changes to the Endangered Species Act. More than 400 conservation organizations oppose "No Surprises," including Sierra Club, National Audubon, National Endangered Species Network, U.S. PIRG, Humane Society of the U.S., Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation, Endangered Species Coalition and grassroots groups.

I will be watching how you vote and what position you take on this matter. How you vote, will make not only an impact on endangered species protection, but also on how my friends, work colleagues, family and I will vote during the November elections for political offices.

Thank you for your consideration. Please respond in writing as to how you are going to address this most important and urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Name _______________________________
Address _____________________________