Rochester Sierra Club Blog

Please sign up for our E-mail List.

Eco-logue is published bimonthly by the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club

* Join the Rochester Group by Printing out our Brochure & sending it to us.

Find all the information you need on the Wetlands Bill Protect Wetlands :: Atlantic Chapter

We rely on wetlands to maintain clean water, prevent flooding and provide critical habitat for wildlife. Yet a loss of federal protection and the weakest state law in the Northeast have left many of New York's wetlands entirely unprotected. The Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act would reduce the state size threshold from 12.4 to one acre to better protect New York's wetlands.

Even if you are not in Robach's district, a letter will influence him to be in favor of the Wetlands bill according to Sierra Club Albany office. Also, handwritten letters seem to be more influential than electronic ones, but any communication is better than none. This is a very important issue for the environment in New York State, so please write. -  Dan Grisley

SAMPLE LETTER – Feel free to add your personal perspective

[Your Address]

[Date]

Senator Joseph E. Robach
902 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Senator Robach,

I hope this letter finds you well. As one of your constituents, I am writing to request that you co-sponsor an important piece of legislation. Presently, only wetlands 12.4 acres or larger or wetlands of unusual local significance receive any protection in New York State, which leaves many smaller wetlands in the state completely unprotected. Senate bill S.2081, The Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act, would strengthen the state’s wetlands protection program by giving the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) the authority to regulate wetlands greater than one square acre.

New York’s wetlands maintain clean water and provide habitat for wildlife. Furthermore, by absorbing rainwater run-off and snow melt, wetlands play a vital role in preventing flood-related damage to homes and businesses throughout the state. By co-sponsoring S.2081 you can help insure that those wetlands presently threatened will not be destroyed.

I appreciate you taking the time to address this issue and thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Comments & questions to the webmaster may be sent to: FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com  or You may also leave a message on our phone at (585) 234-1056 or write us at Sierra Club, P.O. Box 10518, Rochester, NY 14610-9998.  Privacy Policy - Sierra Club