Things to remember:

1. Please do not insult our legislators.

2. Letters written on letterhead are impactful!

3. State you are writing in opposition to The MH Dutch Salmon Act.

4. Briefly state your personal situation, business, position or who you are writing on behalf of.

5. Please do not copy and paste. Make the letter your own. Remember, your heritage and livelihood are at risk with this designation.

Please be sure to include the following:

Reference: S. 776, The MH Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild & Scenic Amendment

To: The Honorable Joe Manchin and The Honorable John Barrasso:

Example and talking points for your letter:

We are writing to you to express local opposition to Senator Heinrich's S. 776, the MH Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild & Scenic River Act and to ask the committee to not hold a hearing on this bill until Senator Heinrich resolves numerous issues that New Mexico citizens who live and work along the Gila River have expressed for years. Senator Heinrich continues to refuse to listen to local rural communities who live and work alongside the Gila River. S. 3129 will do great damage to our heritage and our economy. Many of us are lifelong multi-generational residents who have grave concerns about the bill.

Here are some of our concerns:

• We have asked Senator Heinrich to change the language in the bill to ensure that property and water rights are protected. These are serious concerns for stakeholders, for our largest employer, Freeport McMoran, and for Heritage Waters Coalition. There has been no language changes offered by Senator Heinrich to date.

• We have asked for the removal of certain river segments in the amendment that do not meet the criteria of a Wild and Scenic River and would threaten private property rights. None of these river segments have been eliminated even though they have not been recommended by the Forest Service for designation.

• The amendment also includes language that would encourage replacing our current jobs with recreational jobs which would devastate our economy. Mining and ranching industries contribute toward much higher-paying jobs than recreation. Currently, most recreation jobs pay minimum wage with few benefits.

• The legislation would give control of our water to Washington bureaucrats who have no connection with our people, their rights, water usage, and heritages. Our voices and our representation would be eliminated.

Again we ask that the legislation not go to a hearing until our local concerns are addressed by Senator Heinrich. This legislation, as proposed, would override the views and desires of local residents, override the professional opinions of the US Forest Service, and would devastate our economy, our water and property rights, and our culture.

Sincerely,

<list your name and address>

=====================================

Senator Joe Manchin

306 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510

Senator John Barrasso

307 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510