It's Cali time. As promised, USARK is spearheading a multi-pronged, multi-state, multi-media, grass roots campaign to gain a favorable outcome on S373 the "Python Ban". The recent tragedy in Florida combined with the recent Senate EPW Hearing in Washington, DC has provided Senator Bill Nelson a platform and the momentum to get this bill moving. It could move VERY QUICKLY! We think that it may not move on it's own. It is quite possible that the language from S373 could be added to one of the big spending bills moving through the Senate. Regardless of how it happens, the information we have received from our team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill indicates that there is enough interest in the bill for it to move now.



The next step needs to be taken by California citizens. The Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works is Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). California citizens are more likely to influence her than anyone else! I know many are furious about all the misinformation that has been put forward as if it were fact, but this is the time to get past that. It is crucial that the Reptile Nation present itself as reasonable and open to discussion. The language we use will be polite, professional and designed to enlist her cooperation. We need her cooperation. This bill is going to move. There is much sympathy for it in the Senate. Our challenge is to convince Senator Boxer that our suggestions will give her a better bill. Better for her, and better for California citizens.



Again, this is only the first step. It is like peppering the battlefield prior to the major assault. To be successful will require the Reptile Nation to do what is required to make our case. I wish it were so easy as to just send out an email and be done with it. Random emails to legislators that are not familiar with the bill will do very little. Email can be effective if used in a very focused and targeted manner; and as part of a larger comprehensive strategy. With all that said, the first step will be an email by California Citizens to Senator Barbara Boxer. Once this has been done we will be ready for the next step in the strategy USARK has created.



1. Copy the Sample Letter

2. Click the link below to email Senator Barbara Boxer

3. Fill out your info in the provided fields

4. Choose Environment as Topic

5. Put Please Amend S373 in Subject Line

6. Paste the Sample Letter into the correct field

7. Add your signature line to the Sample Letter

8. Click Submit

9. Email president@usark.org and let us know you did your part!



Click here to email Barbara Boxer



http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm



Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med



http://usark.org/donate.php







SAMPLE LETTER: (copy & paste)



Please Amend S373



Honorable Senator Barbara Boxer,



Thank you for your interest and concern regarding Invasive Species. Your dedication and commitment to this issue is to be commended. As a reptile keeper and California voter I value the integrity of all of our natural areas. The introductions of invasive species like the feral cat and Zebra Mussels have made an unprecedented negative impact on the wildlife and eco-systems all over California. I support your efforts to gain funding to protect these precious resources.



Currently I must oppose S373 because as written it would end the import and commerce of all pythons. The quality of information that has been provided to you regarding the captive bred reptile community has been poor. There is no credible evidence that most pythons are a problem, or would ever be a problem, in California or anywhere else. In his testimony before the recent EPW Hearing Senator Bill Nelson of Florida mentioned that he just wanted to stop the import of Burmese Pythons. If that is the case I can support this position. I would suggest that Senator Nelson's bill be amended to end the import of ONLY the Burmese Python; with language allowing for the commerce and interstate transport of the Burmese Python to continue. Thousands of California families have invested their entire net worth in high quality captive breeding projects. These animals are securely housed and can be extremely valuable. Destroying this trade would hurt the already hard hit economy of California.



To recap, I would support the ban on the import of Burmese Pythons ONLY. All other pythons should be removed from this legislation. There should also be a provision for continued interstate transport and trade of captive bred Burmese Pythons already in the country added to S373.



Thank you for your consideration,


Join The Reptile Nation


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Andrew Wyatt

President USARK

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