Urge Congress to Act on Gulf Oil Spill

Subject: Designate CWA Penalty Money to Support Gulf Restoration Dear [Decision Maker], As a constituent and supporter of the National Audubon Society, I urge you to support all efforts to hold BP accountable for the oil spill tragedy in the Gulf. Specifically, penalties under the Clean Water Act should be directed to fund Gulf restoration efforts so that the communities, wildlife and natural systems can start to heal. There are still many unknowns on how the oil pollution will affect the birds and wildlife of the region. The Brown Pelican, just recently removed from the Endangered Species Act, is now at risk because of contaminated food sources and degraded habitat. Sea turtles, at risk from over fishing and habitat loss, may find the contaminated waters of the Gulf the last straw. Other deep water sea creatures and their survival are of grave concern. Though the gushing hole has long been plugged, oil remains in the system and the toll on wildlife continues. The environmental health of this area is crucial for tourism, seafood production, and other industries that support communities and the American economy. Even before the oil spill, the Gulf region was in trouble. Much needs to be done to restore the marshes and disappearing wetlands so essential to the health and economy of that region. With new focus, new resolve and new resources, much can be done to begin the process of restoration and recovery and Clean Water Act Penalty money can go a long way to helping with those efforts. I strongly urge you to direct CWA penalty funds to Gulf restoration and recovery. This region is too important to our nation to ignore.