HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
How to make your voice heard at the legislative level.
Want to speak out but not quite sure how? Here are some tips and tricks.
Who do I contact? There are local district House representatives and State senators. Both encourage input from their constituents because if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t be in their positions.
How can I identify them? Here’s an interactive map that you can click through to determine both your House and Senate representatives. On the left is a dropdown menu listing all Senate and House representatives by district numbers. Alternatively you can click on your home location on the map and it’ll pull up both the House and Senate reps. There you can click on each individual to obtain their contact information.
How do I approach them? First and foremost be RESPECTFUL! Real problems are resolved with rational approaches.
Phone calls, emails and a good old fashioned letter all help deliver the message. Phone calls are shorter but can take some time to get through. If you get voicemail, it’s OK to leave your message there.
Emails and letters provide an opportunity for a more lengthy and calculated message.
What if they actually respond? That means they care about the topic you’ve rationally presented and they’d like to engage more. Be prepared for this opportunity by having your facts ready (see the UMLC The Concerns page for supporting information), then present your concerns with an approach of calm resolve. Gauge their level of support, thank them for their time and conversation regardless, and let us know how it went.
What should I say? Here are some examples of what a phone call and written correspondence could look like. Feel free to improvise. But as mentioned, be respectful yet direct.
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Phone call script example:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR TOWN].
I’m calling to urge [LEGISLATOR NAME] to amend HB 125 and HB 469 to apply a more balanced approach to predator management.
Unrestricted targeting of our mountain lions risks exacerbating the very deer population problem the State is trying to remedy. Mountain lions play a critical and vital role in the balance of our wild Utah. Their targeted removal risks long term ecological sustainability for short term financial gain.
For the benefit of all wildlife advocacy stakeholders, I am asking for your support to amend HB 125 and HB 469 with a more scientific and collaborative approach to predator management.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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Written correspondence script example:
Dear Representative [NAME}.
I am writing to request a moratorium on;
*WRI 7707 Predator management study
*HB 469
*HB 125
The combination of HB 125, HB 469 and WRI 7707 (DWR / BYU study) is a risky attempt at trying to increase our mule deer population. A moratorium on the study and these bills would allow for public input at town hall meetings with reps throughout Utah and especially in the six districts impacted by the WRI7707 study.
Removing such a valuable native non-invasive apex predator will accelerate the decline of our mule deer, increase public safety threats and cause more economic harm than it’s trying to prevent. Studies show time and again that removing apex predators results in broader ecosystem deterioration, eventually requiring even more time and expense to remedy. This view is shared across wildlife advocacy stakeholders.
Of great risk is the rise of Chronic Wasting Disease. The State's number 1 objective relative to CWD is "Reduce the rate of spread and prevalence of CWD". There is no known cure for CWD. Yet removing the mountain lion eliminates the most effective natural means of keeping CWD in check.
In recognizing that the bills and study were enacted in regard to concerns about deer populations, I request consideration of the following alternatives to address the issues:
*More signage on the highways alerting drivers to deer and wildlife presence and crossings.
*Overpasses and underpasses for wildlife crossing on the highways.
*Fines for drivers who hit a deer. Not only will this encourage people to drive more cautiously, the fines can go towards other remediation projects to care for deer.
*Supporting the Wildlands Network through DWR to replace old/damaged fences on private and public lands with wildlife friendly fencing.
*Recognize that cougars are vital to maintaining the health of deer herds as they cull diseased and sick deer from the herds, thus preventing the spread of CWD.
*Reduce the number of depredation tags allowed to farmers and ranchers;
Please consider my request for a moratorium on WRI 7707, HB469 and HB125 so we can have public meetings to discuss methods for caring for our deer populations without risking the greater balance of our wild Utah.
Regards,