Postcard by AAC Content Coordinator Emma Longcope
The official public comment period on Bears Ears started May 12 and has been extended. It now closes on July 10.
The Department of the Interior is, for the first time ever, asking the public to officially weigh in on the national monuments under review, per President Trump's April 26, 2017 Executive Order. We only have until July 10 to provide input during this public comment period.
Now more than ever we need your voice to help protect Bears Ears National Monument. Find out more about the Bears Ears issue here and read AAC member John Climaco's opinion piece about it here. You can also learn more by reading about our recent trip to D.C. to Climb the Hill.
Why a postcard?
The Department of the Interior accepts comments both online and by mail. Adding your name to a petition or online comment chain is important. A unique and tangible note, however, carries extra weight with elected officials.
Click on the button below to use our pre-addressed postcard template that you can print out and send to the Department of Interior. (Tip: print double-sided with card stock paper.)
Writing Tips:
Make it personal: Share your story about why you love Bears Ears National Monument.
Provide a call to action: Ask the Department of Interior to protect Bears Ears National Monument.
Use some of the suggested messages below or craft your own. Feel free to edit these messages and add your voice.
-The Bears Ears region in southeastern Utah is one of the greatest climbing destinations in the U.S. I love to climb in the Bears Ears area because....
-I support the Bears Ears National Monument because it protects climbing and significant Native American cultural sites.
-The Antiquities Act is a valuable tool for protecting America's heritage.
-Do not rescind or reduce Bears Ears National Monument.
Our template includes the Department of the Interior's address, but if you're making your own, address it to:
Monument Review, MS-1530
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Time is running out! No time for a postcard?
You can:
Use the climbers’ letter writing tool.
Submit comments online at http://www.regulations.gov by entering “DOI-2017-0002” in the Search bar and clicking “Search.”
Call the Department of the Interior with any questions: Randal Bowman, 202-208-1906.
Tweet at Secretary Ryan Zinke: @SecretaryZinke.
Thank you for helping to preserve this wonderful place! We're stronger together.
Artwork: AAC staff member Emma Longcope