KBR Wild Horse and Burro News

  Sample Letters
RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE ENCROACHMENTS
ON WILD HORSES & BURROS

Please note that it is not my intent to tell anyone what to say, but rather cover some of the key points as "bullet items" and offer samples of my letters to my local representatives. If you write regarding this matter, please tell your representative how you feel. Also, if you email your representative, I suggest you include your full name and address at the end of the email so that it can be received as "official" public correspondence, and you will be more likely to receive a reply.

  KEY POINTS

    We support the continued presence and management of wild and free roaming horses and burros on public lands.

    We recognize that the BLM is the most appropriate agency to continue this mission

    BLM needs adequate funding in order to ensure that the wild horse and burro program can continue in compliance with the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

    Existing regulations should be strengthened in order to ensure proper care and usage of gathered wild horses and burros by their adopters.

    There are a number of private interests (e.g., cattle ranchers, mining companies) whose aims include the removal of wild horses and burros from public lands so that they may enjoy freer access to our resources for their own purposes and profit.

    The free roaming wild horses and burros are part of our NATIONAL heritage and should be managed in the national public interest, not succumb to private commercial interests.

  SAMPLE LETTER
Letter to Member of Congress

Honerable Ellen Tauscher
Member of Congress, California 10th District

I am aware of and concerned about H.R. 2874, a measure designed to allow states to take over the management of Federally protected wild horses and burros. This measure being advanced by Hon. Jim Gibbons (NV) in effect the undoing of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. It appears that this measure is just the latest in an ongoing effort to prevent BLM from continuing its management of wild and free roaming horses and burros. This action will result in their turning management of many areas over to state authorities. The State of Nevada has already taken the position that the wild horses and burros should be removed from public lands. Ostensibly, this would leave more "grazing units" available for cattle interests. Mr. Gibbon's interests appear to be aligned with a few cattle companies rather than with the expressed will of the American people. This matter is a classic public policy vs. private interest conflict, and it appears that the private interests may be winning.

Wholesale destruction of the BLM managed wild horse and burro program is not the answer. Once these herds and their unique genetic characteristics are gone, they will never return. The real problems associated with the BLM programs can be resolved through strengthening existing rules.

In the past, the House of Representatives has taken a more objective view of the wild horse and burro issues and I sincerely hope that all efforts will be made to preserve the Act as it was intended when so many Americans demanded that these animals be protected.

Please help assure that our national commitment to these heritage animals is not thwarted. Please oppose H.R. 2874.

Sincerely,

Willis Lamm
(Address, etc.)

  SAMPLE LETTER
Letter to US Senators

Senator Barbara Boxer
(also to Senator Diane Feinstein)

I am aware of and concerned about H.R. 2874, a measure designed to allow states to take over the management of Federally protected wild horses and burros. The measure being advanced by Hon. Jim Gibbons (NV) in effect is the undoing of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. It appears that this measure is just the latest in an ongoing effort to prevent BLM from continuing its management of wild and free roaming horses and burros. This action will result in their turning management of many areas over to state authorities. The State of Nevada has already taken the position that the wild horses and burros should be removed from public lands. Ostensibly, this would leave more "grazing units" available for cattle interests. Mr. Gibbon's interests appear to be aligned with a few cattle companies rather than with the expressed will of the American people. This matter is a classic public policy vs. private interest conflict, and it appears that the private interests may be winning.

Wholesale destruction of the BLM managed wild horse and burro programs is not the answer. Once these herds and their unique genetic characteristics are gone, they will never return. The real problems associated with the BLM programs can be resolved through strengthening existing rules.

Please help assure that our national commitment to these heritage animals is not thwarted. Please convey to your counterparts in the lower house that you oppose H.R. 2874.

Sincerely,

Willis Lamm
(Address, etc.)

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