Call to Action

From Gay Schimeck . . .

Call to Action: ONCE AGAIN IT IS TIME TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE CABIN FEE ACT of 2010!

LETS EACH DO OUR PART TO GET EVERYONE ON BOARD WITH THIS EFFORT!
PASSAGE OF THE CABIN FEE ACT HANGS IN THE BALANCE AND THIS MAY BE OUR LAST OPPORTUNITY!

All Representatives and most Senators are home in their Districts and States between now and the elections. It is a timely opportunity for cabin owners to communicate with them expressing, as strongly as possible, the urgent need to enact the Cabin Fee Act (CFA) this year in the 111th Congress or, if necessary, to extend the moratorium.

We hope to encourage and secure passage of the Cabin Fee Act during the Lame Duck session that will follow the elections. THEREFORE WE MUST ACT! To secure the backing of your Senators and Representatives, cabin owners must demonstrate their support for the Cabin Fee Act. Send emails and make phone calls to your local offices. Better yet, go visit the office with your request for support. But, make it your message of support and request for their vote to pass the Cabin Fee Act. Personalized messages are most effective.

To assist you, attached are sample letters that you should edit, personalize and email or fax to your Senators and Representatives. You can find DC contact information by state at http://www.nationalforesthomeowners.org/. Click on Act Now. Write a letter to Congress.

The message is straightforward, but please put the message in your own words. Points that you can include are:

(1) Too many cabin owners are now faced with unjustified, dramatically escalating fees for their cabin use, making a growing number of cabins unaffordable and even impossible to sell at any reasonable price. The continuation of the Cabin Program as a source of middle class, multi-generational family recreation is in jeopardy. The current appraisal-based fee system is inherently flawed and must be replaced.

(2) Cabin owners, working with bipartisan supporters in both Houses of Congress, have developed a solution. This solution is embodied in the Cabin Fee Act of 2010 (H.R. 4888 and S. 3929) which is expected to be found “revenue neutral” by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Cabin owners throughout the country have studied, discussed and support the Cabin Fee Act of 2010.

(3) Senators should be urged to co-sponsor S. 3929 and support its passage. Encourage them to contact Senator Tester’s office to express their support. Representatives should be urged to support an early vote of approval for H.R. 4888 in the Lame Duck session. The entire Congress should then pass the CFA into law before the Lame Duck session adjourns.

(4) If the passage of the CFA must wait until 2011, a moratorium on 2011 cabin fee increases is essential. Ask for their support of a Moratorium.

If we do not secure passage in the Lame Duck session, we face a new Congress in January. The entire process could be set back considerably. There is no assurance we will enjoy the same level of support in the next Congress. Let’s get it done NOW! Please do your part and ask your cabin neighbors to do their part, too. IT IS TIME TO ACT!

Pete
Peter D. Bailey
NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact chair

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Sample Letters to your Senator or Congressman

RE: H.R.4888 (the Cabin Fee Act)

Dear Congressman (woman) _________,

I am writing in regards to H.R.4888 that was introduced by Congressman Doc Hastings last February. The bill has 26 co-sponsors and was passed from the Natural Resources Committee under unanimous consent.

I am a cabin owner on National Forest land in (your state). My parents purchased our family cabin in 19XX or the cabin has been a part of our lives since 19XX (personalize the message). It has been a source of much pleasure for our family and friends over several (XX) generations.

Consider inserting the points from the email. Use your own words.

My purpose for writing is to ask for your support for H.R. 4888 and an early vote of approval by the House in the November session of the 111^th Congress. The entire Congress should then pass the CFA into law before the session adjourns. Should that not occur, please support an extension of the moratorium on cabin permit fee increases for 2011.

Support of this critical legislation is vitally important to me/us by providing affordability for our families and continuation of the Recreation Residence Program.

My/our sincere thanks for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Cabin owner name

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RE: S.3929 (the Cabin Fee Act)

Dear Senator _________,

I am writing in regards to S.3929 that was introduced by Senator Tester last week and is co-sponsored by Senators Barrasso (WY), Baucus (MT) and Risch (ID).

I am a cabin owner on National Forest land in (your state). My parents purchased our family cabin in 19XX or the cabin has been a part of our lives since 19XX (personalize the message). It has been a source of much pleasure for our family and friends over several (XX) generations.

Consider inserting the points from the email. Use your own words.

My purpose for writing is to ask for your support as a co-sponsor and for the passage of the CFA in the Senate. Should that not occur, please support an extension of the moratorium on cabin permit fee increases for 2011.

Support of this critical legislation is vitally important to me/us by providing affordability for our families and continuation of the Recreation Residence Program.

My/our sincere thanks for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Cabin owner(s) name