We, the undersigned, ask New York State Senator Steve Saland to reach out to Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno to schedule the Wetlands Protection Act for a vote.

Wetlands are a vital resource that maintain clean drinking water, prevent flooding, and provide critical habitat for ducks, fish, and other wildlife.

However, rollbacks in federal protection and the weakest state law in the Northeast have left many of New Yorks wetlands entirely unprotected. The Wetlands Protection Act, S.3835, would protect New Yorks wetlands by reducing the size threshold for state jurisdiction from 12.4 acres to one acre.

We urge the State Senate to act swiftly to ensure the timely passage of this legislation before the end of the 2008 legislative session.