Sample letter to legislators

You can use the sample letter below as a guide for your letter to Rep. Ott, Sen. Kapanke, and your legislator.

Please personalize your letter as much as possible.

• Tips on effectively communicating with your representatives
• Legislative contacts
• Background information
• Talking points

July 27, 2006

Representative or Senator [Last Name]
[Official Office Address]
Madison , WI zip]

Dear Senator/ Representative [Last Name]:

My name is __________ and I live in the ____ Legislative District in ___ County. I am writing to urge you to support the strong Manure Management Discharge Rules (NR 243) we need to keep our lakes and property values healthy.

I am a member of _______. [Explain why you are a member of any groups you list and why protecting Wisconsin 's lakes is important to you (I am a lakefront property owner, an avid fisher, boater etc.)].

Manure runoff is a serious problem for our lakes. Nutrients can cause reoccurring, smelly algea blooms and chronic nutrient loading from sources like manure can cause almost irreversible decline in our lake's water quality. [What changes in your lake's water quality/fishing have you noticed over time? How have these changes affected how you use and enjoy your lake]

When our lake quality and property values decline because of pollution elsewhere in the watershed, property owners bear an undue burden. Lake groups, propery owners, and taxpayers are investing millions to keep our lake enjoyable for everyone. [Are there investments (shoreland restoration, rain gardens etc.) you have personally made or your lake group has made (weed harvesters, chemical treatments etc.) that are being undermined by runoff elsewhere in the watershed?]

Strong manure management discharge rules are important to me and others in our district because____________.

Please support NR 243 in its current form to protect our waters from manure spills by limiting poor manure handling practices, fully counting all animals, and continuing to allow DNR to bring enforcement action against large farms that have large manure spills.

Thank you for considering my viewpoint. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these issues, please call me at [phone number] or e-mail me at [e-mail address].

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
[e-mail address]

Remember: The more personalized the letter is,
the more likely it is to be considered!

Legislative Contacts

Please, contact the following chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees:

Rep. Al Ott, Chair, Assembly Agriculture Committee

Room 323 North State Capitol P.O. Box 8953 Madison 53708

rep.ott@legis.state.wi.us

(608) 266-5831

(888) 534-0003

Sen. Dan Kapanke, Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee

Room 104 South State Capitol P.O. Box 7882 Madison 53707-7882

sen.kapanke@legis.state.wi.us

(608) 266-5490

(800) 385-3385

your legislator to let them know this is important to you in your district.