Mr. Steckler is correct. I was told the same thing by both a
congressional aide and a state agency staffer, namely that contact from
citizens has impact increasingly in the following order:
* electronic petitions carry the least weight
* followed by form emails
* followed by individually-drafted emails
* followed by phone calls
* but best of all is an old fashioned letter faxed or sent through the
mail
I had though a phone call would count less than a thoughtful email, but
both people told me that wasn't true - they mostly just count the yea's
& nays and the medium is what matters!
Alicia
On 7/12/2015 6:36 PM, Carl Steckler wrote:
> I would like to chime in here. Dave your info and perspective are
> right on. The problem I have is having everyone relying so heavily on
> a petition.
>
> Having given comment , all be it about Wolves, to both DEC and FWS on
> several occasions concerning de-listing or changing status of wildlife
> I have learned that petitions do not carry as much weight as you would
> think.
> After talking to several FWS agents and hearing their comments
> concerning petitions I have come to the conclusion that a letter
> directly to the agency, clearly marked as comment about the change of
> protection to the Golden-cheeked Warbler will do much more than a
> petition. Both the people from DEC and FWS have told me that petitions
> do not carry much weight because there is little thought and effort to
> sign a petition, it is too easy and anyone can do it without really
> knowing the issues. I have also heard this statement from several
> prominent wildlife biologists.
>
> Even a short letter outlining why you believe that a change is either
> warranted or not warranted with sound biological reasons, and
> certainly loss of habitat certainly qualifies as a sound biological
> reason, means a lot more to those reviewing the issue. If FWS suddenly
> started receiving dozens of letters commenting about this issue they
> will be more motivated to look at the situation a lot closer before
> making a decision.
>
> Is it worth you buying a stamp and spending a few minutes writing a
> letter? You bet it is. In these days of electronic mail and web based
> petitions a letter still carries a lot more weight. So sit down and
> wright please.
> Carl Steckler
>
> On 7/12/2015 13:46, Sandy Wold wrote:
>> ... for your eloquent synopsis of the Golden-cheeked Warbler
>> conservation status, educating and updating us, modeling a graceful
>> (also fair and balanced) assessment of a potentially controversial
>> issue, modelling how to acknowledge the contribution of all parties
>> concerned, and (finally) sharing your personal conclusion (absent of
>> any arm-twisting). You not only saved some of us a lot of time, but
>> I am now personally motivated to read more about this!
>> --
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