I'm about to send a letter to the Prez and his Peeps

[NorthSideSox72]

So, for the first time in a while, I am looking to write a letter to the President's administration. Specifically, I am writing to suggest a policy idea. Some of you may be familiar with it, because I started a Facebook group as a sort of petition for it.

 

The idea, in short, is to suggest to Obama, and SecInt Salazar, to take all the land currently in Wilderness Study Area status, and based on the BLM's proposals, promote them to full Wilderness areas (those that the BLM studies have said should be). Its really a low cost win. The land is already in federal hands, and since it is a proposed WSA, that means no mining or drilling is happening now anyway, and also that the BLM already decided the natural resource capabilites of the area aren't particularly great (otherwise, the WSA wouldn't have been proposed). But you get a big win with environmentalists without taking any more land out of circulation, and you protect more green space for the long haul to help keep the air cleaner as well. Plus some limited recreational opportunities (hikers, campers), which could be used for revenue for BLM or other agencies who own the land, to help pay for maintenance (as a WSA, its pretty much 100% cost, there is no permit system for use).

 

I was also considering some secondary ideas to throw in there - like handing over management of the wilderness areas to private non-profits (like Nature Conservancy) to reduce costs. And using this low point in the real estate market as an opportunity to buy up ecologically important land that is already for sale, on the cheap, to help prop up the market a bit and get the government a good deal. I am not sure I will be mentioning these other ideas though.

 

Anyway, here is my dilemma... should I send a letter to Obama, or to Salazar (Sec Interior)? Or both? Do I send a typed and signed letter, or submit it electronically? Do I mention the Facebook petition, or no?

 

I stand open to the advice of the Busterites.

 

[southsider2k5]

So, for the first time in a while, I am looking to write a letter to the President's administration. Specifically, I am writing to suggest a policy idea. Some of you may be familiar with it, because I started a Facebook group as a sort of petition for it.

 

The idea, in short, is to suggest to Obama, and SecInt Salazar, to take all the land currently in Wilderness Study Area status, and based on the BLM's proposals, promote them to full Wilderness areas (those that the BLM studies have said should be). Its really a low cost win. The land is already in federal hands, and since it is a proposed WSA, that means no mining or drilling is happening now anyway, and also that the BLM already decided the natural resource capabilites of the area aren't particularly great (otherwise, the WSA wouldn't have been proposed). But you get a big win with environmentalists without taking any more land out of circulation, and you protect more green space for the long haul to help keep the air cleaner as well. Plus some limited recreational opportunities (hikers, campers), which could be used for revenue for BLM or other agencies who own the land, to help pay for maintenance (as a WSA, its pretty much 100% cost, there is no permit system for use).

 

I was also considering some secondary ideas to throw in there - like handing over management of the wilderness areas to private non-profits (like Nature Conservancy) to reduce costs. And using this low point in the real estate market as an opportunity to buy up ecologically important land that is already for sale, on the cheap, to help prop up the market a bit and get the government a good deal. I am not sure I will be mentioning these other ideas though.

 

Anyway, here is my dilemma... should I send a letter to Obama, or to Salazar (Sec Interior)? Or both? Do I send a typed and signed letter, or submit it electronically? Do I mention the Facebook petition, or no?

 

I stand open to the advice of the Busterites.

 

If you go electronic, you are limited to 500 characters, including spaces. I would for sure send a typed letter. Personally I would send it to both, and would mention the petition, because it will show that you are taking active steps to try to achieve your goal. It shows that you are serious about it, IMO.