Sample Letter
Below you'll find a sample letter you can
copy and paste into the editor or format of your choice:
Dear (elected official):
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed
sale of the 840-acre, federally-owned Plum Island, and
to urge you to join your colleagues and sponsor
legislation reversing the previously enacted
legislation, thereby putting a halt to the disposition
of the island to the private sector. Given the numerous
values detailed below I believe the best use for all or
most of the island is as a National Wildlife Refuge open
to limited public visitation.
Due to the adoption of Public Law 110-329 of 2008, and
absent successful Congressional intervention, the island
will be sold by the federal General Services
Administration at which time it will no longer be a
public asset. As a first step the GSA is currently
preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to assess
the environmental impacts of a sale to the private
sector. This EIS is expected to be completed in the next
few months.
Plum Island has great ecological, recreational,
environmental, and historic significance. It contains
one of the most important seal haul-out sites in New
England, provides habitat for several federally
endangered bird species, contains a number of rare plant
populations, provides critical migratory habitat for
several dozen migratory songbirds, possesses
unparalleled scenic views of eastern Long Island, and
contains Ft. Terry and the Plum Island Lighthouse, two
features of historic and cultural significance. Given
all these attributes in addition to several others, I
strongly believe that all or a significant fraction of
Plum Island should become a National Wildlife Refuge
administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS).
In other cases when federal land has become surplus the
GSA has undertaken a process to reach out to other
federal agencies including USFWS. This is how the nearby
Sachuest Point, Noman’s Island, and Block Island
National Wildlife Refuges were established. The same
should be done for Plum Island.
I urge that you ensure that this priceless public asset
remains public, that it is not allowed to be sold off to
the highest bidder, and that you ensure that past
federal agency precedence is followed by sponsoring or
supporting legislation to reverse the current course of
action.
I look forward to hearing from you office on this matter
in the near future.
Sincerely,
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