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Member Pipeline - Legislative - Alert (LA 01-01) - Sample Letter etc.

Sample Letter to Congress
for National Biosolids Partnership

[DATE]

The Honorable [Name of House Representative or Senator]

[ADDRESS]

RE: SUPPORT THE FY2002 APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST FOR THE NATIONAL BIOSOLIDS PARTNERSHIP

Dear [Representative or Senator (Last Name)]:

On behalf of the [Name of Agency], I am writing to request your support in obtaining continued funding for the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP), an organization cosponsored by the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As an agency which works to further the safe and efficient handling and use of biosolids as a clean water resource through the voluntary adoption of nationally recognized standards and practices, we believe that the NBP program will provide widespread benefits for our community and others nationwide. I wish to thank you and your colleagues for voting to support the NBP initiative by allocating $1 million for fiscal year 2001. I also urge you to support AMSA and WEF, in their efforts to secure an additional $1.1 million in the FY 2002 budget to continue this important work next year.

The Partnership will greatly advance the beneficial reuse of biosolids and promote public acceptance through the development and promotion of a national environmental management system containing accepted practices for municipal generators of biosolids, certification standards to further public acceptance, and a sophisticated program for pilot testing participating agencies. The NBP initiative is aggressively moving forward to implement this system and needs additional funding to continue its work. The Partnership is already pilot testing the program at 27 facilities, and will complete testing in 110 total facilities by the end of 2002. [Insert pertinent information here about your agency’s biosolids program, especially if you are participating in the demonstration program.]

A continuation of Congress’ strong commitment to the NBP is critical to its success. We urge you to communicate your support to the VA, HUD & Independent Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations for providing full funding for the requested $1.1 million for fiscal year 2001. Your support for this project will greatly assist our agency in ensuring the safe and environmentally sound use and disposal of biosolids in our community.

Thank you for your assistance in this important initiative. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at [phone number] or Ken Kirk, AMSA’s Executive Director, at 202/833-4653.

Sincerely,

 

[name]

 

Sample Letter to Congress - Helpful Hints

  • Internet:
    Use the instructions in the Legislative Alert to access a copy of the letter through the Congressional Connection. Use Congressional Connection for addresses, phone, fax and email addresses of your delegation.
  • Format:
    Adjust the Sample Letter to Congress according to the bracketed options, in bold typeface. Try to keep the content of the letter to one (1) page, if possible.
  • Recipients:
    One letter should be sent to both of your Senators and your Representatives in the House. Copies should be sent to your elected official if appropriate.
  • Copies:
    Fax your signed letter to 202/833-4657 or email lgarrigan@amsa-cleanwater.org to AMSA c/o Lee Garrigan, Manager of Government Affairs for tracking.
  • Best Results:
    For most effective results, send a duplicate copy through email or fax. If possible, a follow-up call to the staff contact on environmental matters in your Representative’s Washington, DC office to discuss the letter is encouraged.
  • Questions?:
    If you have any questions, please call Lee Garrigan at 202/833-4653.

 

Instructions on Accessing AMSA’s Congressional Connection

  1. Visit AMSA’s website at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org;
  2. Access the Member Pipeline, by clicking on the Member Pipeline icon (you will need your user name and password). If you do not have your user name and pass code, please contact the National Office at 202/833-2672;
  3. Scroll down to the Legislative, Regulatory and Legal Affairs section;
  4. Access the Congressional Connection, by clicking on the Congressional Connection icon;
  5. Click on the Write to Congress icon;
  6. You will see links to the sample letter. You can cut and paste the text for your use in preparing an individualized letter, or download the full text of the letter.
  7. Contact information for your House and Senate delegation is available by clicking on the Congressional Directory icon.