| Sustainable Monterey County |
Support a Fort Ord National Monument
This has the potential to bring ecotourism to our area and thus be an economic boost for our cities. Now is the time to write your local, state and Washington elected officials encouraging them to support a Fort Ord National Monument in order to:
== permanently preserve unique habitats and lovely open space;
== provide continued recreational access for a wide variety of non-motorized uses, including limited special events such as the Sea Otter Classic; and
== honor the military history and soldiers of Fort Ord.
Opinion letters to the media are a good way to support this. Write to: mheditor@montereycountyherald.com;letters@mcweekly.com
Other federal officials want to see community support that builds from Salazar’s visit. Here are some addresses etc--
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0504
202-224-3553
415-403-0100 (SanFran office)
http://www.boxer.senate.gov/
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0504
202-224-3841
415-393-0707 (San Fran office)
www.feinstein.senate.gov
The Honorable Sam Farr [Thank him for his support to date]
California 17th District
1221 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0517
202-225-2861
831-424-2229 (local Salinas)
www.house.gov/farr
Hon. Ken Salazar, Secretary – Thank him for visiting and his support
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Laura_davis@ios.doi.gov
feedback@ios.doi.gov
Robert (Bob) Abbey
Director, Bureau of Land Management:
1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665
Washington, DC 20240
Also:
Jim_kenna@blm.gov
nkornze@blm.gov
Robert_abbey@blm.gov
Here are some brief talking points in comments to Secretary Salazar. Hopefully you can use some of those, but talk about what Ft Ord lands mean to you or your group!
WELCOME SECRETARY SALAZAR!
We hope your visit to the Fort Ord Public Lands is enjoyable and educational, and you find the area worthy of National Monument status. A broad coalition of recreation, environmental, veteran and history groups support National Monument status that allows continued non-motorized recreation use because:
· The 15,000 acres of federal lands at Fort Ord are some of the last undeveloped open space on the Monterey Peninsula, and are home to rare plants and a range of wildlife.
· The public will enjoy and support these special landscapes through appropriate recreation, while honoring its rich military legacy. The public will be able to permanently continue current non-motorized recreation uses such as mountain and road bicycling, hiking, running, horseback riding, nature study, rescue dog training, youth/family exercise, military history appreciation, and other uses.
· Tourism is a major component of the local economy, and the Fort Ord Public Lands have benefited our community by bringing in nationally-recognized outdoor events, such as the Sea Otter Classic. Eco-tourism will be enhanced by the National Monument designation.
The Fort Ord Public Lands deserve to be protected as a National Monument, and we ask that the Administration do everything possible to ensure that these beautiful lands are permanently protected for the benefit of future generations. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!
The following groups involved with Fort Ord have previously indicated concept support for a National Monument:
Fort Ord Recreation Trails Friends (FORT Friends)
Monterey Off-Road Cycling Association, a Chapter of IMBA (MORCA)
Marina Equestrian Center and independent equestrian riders
Wednesday Night Laundry Runners
Bicycle Equestrian Trails Assistance (BETA)
Central Coast Cycling
California Native Plant Society
Monterey Bay Youth Camp
Monterey County Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc. (MCSARD)
Friends of the Fort Ord Warhorse
Fort Ord Recreation Users (forU)
Keep Fort Ord Wild (KFOW)
Local Vietnam Veterans who served at Fort Ord
Vet’s Voices
Feel free to write individually or on behalf of your group and be sure to say how many folks you represent if you are a group.
Tell your friends and other groups as there is such a network out there!
Encourage business groups and service clubs to sign too, if you are a member.
An e-mail is good (use the official’s website) because sometimes letters take a lot of time to get to the recipient—you can scan your letter and attach. Or call them!
Also write to your local papers.
IMPORTANT—please scan and/or copy any communication and provide to Danielle or Henrietta: Danielle Murray danielle@conservationlands.org / Henrietta Stern henri.stern@ymail.com, as they are putting together a package to directly hand to federal officials. Best to send electronically and they will print out. Contact Bill W. (billweigle@sbcglobal.net) if you need help scanning
