Write A Letter

One of the easiest ways to stand up for wildlands’ values is to sit down and write a letter. Whether you are writing a letter to the editor, a comment to an agency, or a note to your Congressperson, one or more decision makers are sure to take notice. We encourage you to write a personal letter as it can be much more influential than signing a petition or sending a form letter.

Here are our favorite tips for letter writing.

Government Agencies: Agencies often request comments from the public. For current requests related to Montana wildlands check Act Now! It is very important to respond as best you can in your own words. Agencies receive many “form” letters and emails and tend to discount them.

• Speak from your heart, identify your favorite wild places and explain why they should be protected.
• Personalize any “talking points” that might be suggested for the particular situation.
• Be clear, concise and to the point.
• Thank them in advance for doing the right thing.
• Send a copy to your Congressional Delegation.
• Include your contact information.

Elected Officials: Elected Officials, from local to Federal government, must answer to their constituents, so they pay attention when locals write. It is often appropriate to copy a letter (“cc”) to a number of officials at the same time. You should also “cc” them when you write a Letter to the Editor or respond to a Government Agency.

• Identify yourself and your issue; identify legislation by specific number.
• Focus on your main issue; keep your letter short and concise.
• Express your personal experience and opinions. Use your own words to tell why you care so much.
• Request a specific action you would like them to take.
• Be courteous.
• Be sure to thank them for past or future action.
• Include your contact information.

Letter to the Editor: These letters can be about any topic that is important to you, such as the value of clean air and water, the pristine and remote character of our lands, Montana’s traditions, community health and family recreation, or the threats of off-road vehicle use, exploitation of the land, and shortsighted energy proposals. These are short letters, usually between 200-300 words. They will be read by your community, but also by the Congressional Delegation and many agency officials. A few powerful words can have a great impact.

• Follow the newspaper’s word limit.
• Focus on one main issue.
• If you are responding to a recent article, mention the title and date of the article.
• Be specific about the landscape or community and your personal experiences.
• Use names of elected officials to encourage them to act.
• Use your credentials.
• Include your contact information.
• See our sample letter below.

While these tips are suitable for regular mail, email and fax, we encourage you to use email or fax for government officials since regular mail to them is slowed by screening processes.

When you are ready to address your letter, you can find contact information in Who’s Who. Write early and write often!

Sample LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Three years ago the Bush Administration promised to uphold the Roadless Rule. Last week, that promise was broken when the administration gutted the rule, leaving the last vestiges of wild forests vulnerable to development. The Administration’s removal of protections for our last wild forests means that Montanan’s freedom to explore wild roadless country will die with us and that our grandchildren will inherit a Montana no longer the Last Best Place.

The new rule demonstrates that the Bush administration doesn’t care what Montanans and other Americans think about protecting wild places. Over 75 percent of the more than 2.5 million Americans who commented on the Roadless Rule told the government to protect these lands. I guess the administration is only responsible to big money corporations who want to exploit these places and not to the American people who have the wisdom to think about the future.

Roadless lands provide Montanans with great places to hunt and pure drinking water, and support our world-renown fisheries. Places like the Crazy Mountains and Bridger Mountains are not only great places to hike with your family, they also bring millions of dollars into local economies. Our great hunting, great fishing and economies that flourish because of wildlands don’t seem to matter to the politicians in Washington. However, Montanans and other Americans have repeatedly shown that they want these special places protected.

Together we need to ask Governor Brian Schweitzer to protect these wild places so that future generations of Montanans and Americans can share the feeling of freedom that comes from being in these wild quiet places. The new rule allows the Governor to submit a petition to the government to protect these lands. I am sure that he will respond to our call and act to protect all of Montana’s roadless lands.

Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address