NATIONAL OFFICE
2020 N. 14th Street
Suite 210
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 524-0248
Fax: (703) 524-0287
WEST COAST OFFICE:
600 1st Avenue, Suite 536
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 624-9100
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Talk To Congress
Over its history, America has lost more than 55 million acres of coastal and estuarine habitat. Wildlife viewing, commercial fishing and sportfishing, tourism, and shipping all depend on our coastal habitats' health. Healthy coastal areas also give us abundant food and keep our waters clean. They provide refuge and forage for diverse fish, birds, and mammals. And they afford us opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and renewal. All these activities and industries that provide billions of dollars and millions of jobs for our economy benefit from the restoration of coastal and estuarine habitat.
Restore America's Estuaries, its allies, and hundreds of other national and community groups partner with federal, state, and local governments to fund the restoration of our nation's coastal and estuarine habitats. Two vitally important federal programs that support coastal restoration are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Community-based Habitat Restoration Program and Open Rivers Initiative.
These programs match federal dollars with private and local investment - as well as the efforts of community volunteers - to bring coastal and estuarine habitats back to life. However, NOAA receives far more applications for habitat restoration assistance than it can fulfill with its limited budget.
TAKE ACTION!
- Please call your Senators and U.S. Representative and ask them to support an increase in NOAA's Community-based Habitat Restoration Program and Open Rivers Initiative.
- Ask them to provide $20 Million in the fiscal 2008 budget for Community-based Habitat Restoration and $10 Million for the Open Rivers Initiative.
- When you call your Senators, mention that you are urging the same level of support for these two programs that 17 other U.S. Senators requested of the Appropriations Committee. (Note: Click here to check the Senate Dear Colleague Letter to see if your Senators signed it. Feel free to e-mail them a copy to make sure they know to which letter you are referring.)
- Go here for tips on how to call your Senators or U.S. Representative. To reach Senate and House offices, please call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Your phone calls to the Senate and House of Representatives only take a few minutes, but WILL make a difference. Members of Congress pay attention to their constituents, and sometimes only a few phone calls can get them to support important conservation programs such as Community-based Habitat Restoration Program and Open Rivers Initiative.
Thank you for your help and support in restorating America's coasts and estuaries!