The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has notified us that three Senators, with input from the Clinton Administration, have penned a provision to a bill which would prevent the snowmobile ban and allow snowmobilers to ride on the same paved roads millions of cars, trucks and RVs use during the non-snow months.
ISMA has asked that every snowmobiler take ten minutes and contact the following legislators to encourage them to support the provision introduced by Senators Daschle (D-SD), Thomas (R-WY) and Stevens (AK). ISMA has offered a list of contact information for the key members and a sample letter. PLEASE take a few minutes to copy the letter, make changes as you feel is necessary, and send it out today. Don't forget, you have to include your name and address to be taken seriously. If you would prefer to email this message, you can stop by the ISMA website,
www.snowmobile.org and go to the Write your Congress Person link.
CONTACT INFORMATION AND SAMPLE LETTER:
Senator Ted Stevens
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3004
Fax: (202) 224-2354
Senator Tom Daschle
509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2321
Fax: (202) 224-7895
Senator Trent Lott
487 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6253
Fax: (202) 224-2262
Congressman David E. Bonior
2207 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2106
Fax: (202) 226-1169
Representative Tom Delay
341 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5951
Fax: (202) 225-5241
Representative David Obey
2314 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3365
Fax: (202) 225-3240
Representative Don Young
2111 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5765
Fax : (202) 225-0425
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear (Name),
I am writing to ask you to support legislation that would protect snowmobilers' right to ride in our national parks.
The amendment created by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD), Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Ted Stevens (R-AK), with input from the Clinton Administration, gives snowmobilers equal access to the same snow-covered roads in national parks that millions of cars, trucks and RVs use during the summertime.
Snowmobiles have always met all national park air quality and sound level standards. The National Park Service is trying to justified the ban based on data gathered a decade ago using obsolete vehicles. In fact, snowmobile manufacturers have taken the lead in developing successive generations of cleaner, quieter machines. Currently, the industry is working with the EPA to develop emissions standards.
The American public is against a snowmobile ban by a wide margin. According to a poll by SWR Research, 78 percent of Americans believe snowmobiles should be allowed in national parks. Only 11 percent support the Park Service's proposal to ban snowmobiles. A majority says the ban is another example of federal overreach. Another recent poll in USA Weekend also found that nearly 80 percent of Americans favor snowmobile access in national parks. A snowmobile ban would cost millions of dollars and thousands of jobs in communities around the parks. It will have a dramatic impact on tour operators, motels, restaurants, service stations, and rental and repair shops.
My fellow four million snowmobilers and I will not be ignored. We plan to vote on November 7 and every election following. We'll remember who stood up and said the national parks are intended for everyone.
I'm asking for your support.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)