Sample Letter

Letter Template

[DATE]

[RECIPIENT NAME]
[TITLE]
[AGENCY / OFFICE]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

Dear [TITLE AND LAST NAME],

I am writing regarding roadway and wildlife safety at Assateague Island National Seashore following the recent horse-vehicle collisions and the loss of two wild horses within a period of less than two weeks.

Assateague presents a unique public-safety and resource-management challenge. Free-roaming wild horses and other wildlife share the same environment with vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, campers, and other visitors. Protecting the horses and protecting the people who visit Assateague are not competing goals. Both deserve careful, evidence-based attention.

Existing federal law and National Park Service regulations already provide a framework for that responsibility.

Under 54 U.S.C. § 100101, the National Park Service is charged with conserving park scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife while providing for their enjoyment in a manner that leaves those resources unimpaired for future generations.

Under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5, a park superintendent may impose appropriate public-use limits, restrictions, conditions, or closures when necessary for purposes including public health and safety, protection of natural resources, and implementation of management responsibilities.

Under 36 C.F.R. § 4.21(b), the superintendent may establish a different speed limit on a park road when the otherwise applicable speed limit is determined to be unreasonable, unsafe, or inconsistent with the purposes for which the park was established.

Further, 36 C.F.R. § 4.22 prohibits operating a motor vehicle without due care or at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent considering wildlife, traffic, weather, road and light conditions, and requires drivers to maintain sufficient vehicle control to avoid danger to persons, property, or wildlife.

Assateague Island National Seashore’s 2026 Superintendent’s Compendium also contains park-specific wildlife protections, including a prohibition on willfully approaching, remaining, viewing, or engaging in activity within 40 feet of wild horses and other wildlife, subject to stated exceptions. The Compendium expressly identifies both visitor safety and protection of wild horse behavior as reasons for that restriction.

In accordance with these existing responsibilities and authorities, I respectfully request that the National Park Service conduct and publicly document a comprehensive review of roadway and horse-safety conditions within Assateague Island National Seashore.

Immediate safety review

Because this safety concern is ongoing, I respectfully ask that measures capable of being implemented promptly, reversibly, and without extensive planning or procurement be evaluated on an expedited basis while a more comprehensive review is underway.

Such interim measures might include, where supported by park conditions and operational judgment:

• temporary or additional warning signage;
• increased visibility of wildlife and roadway-safety messaging;
• targeted enforcement during identified higher-risk periods;
• temporary or location-specific speed-management measures where authorized and warranted;
• increased nighttime or reduced-visibility safety messaging;
• other immediately available measures identified by qualified park personnel.

This request is not intended to prescribe a particular intervention without appropriate evaluation. It is a request that practical interim protections be considered while longer-term analysis proceeds.

Comprehensive review requested

I respectfully ask that the broader review include:

1. A documented analysis of horse-vehicle and other relevant wildlife-vehicle collisions, including dates, locations, roadway conditions, time of day, and other available circumstances, while appropriately protecting information that cannot lawfully be disclosed.
2. Identification of locations and time periods presenting elevated risk, using available collision records, horse-movement information, traffic data, visibility conditions, and other relevant evidence.
3. A review of existing speed limits and speed-management practices, including whether additional, temporary, nighttime, seasonal, or location-specific reductions are warranted in documented higher-risk areas.
4. A review of enforcement practices, including speeding enforcement and enforcement of existing wildlife-distance and visitor-behavior regulations.
5. A qualified roadway-safety assessment examining visibility, roadway geometry, signage, driver behavior, traffic patterns, wildlife movement, stopping sight distance, and other relevant safety factors.
6. Evaluation of additional evidence-supported safety measures, which may include improved warning systems, dynamic or highly visible signage, traffic-calming measures, appropriate detection technology, roadway-design changes, increased enforcement strategies, or other interventions identified through professional review.
7. A written action plan identifying:
   • measures that can be implemented;
   • measures requiring additional technical, legal, environmental, funding, or procurement review;
   • the office or individual responsible for each next step;
   • anticipated timelines; and
   • methods for measuring whether implemented interventions are effective.
8. A transparent public information process through which roadway-safety data, implemented measures, evaluation results, and appropriate updates can be made available to the public.
9. A meaningful method for submitting documented safety concerns and observations so that visitors, residents, photographers, campers, and others who regularly observe conditions on Assateague can provide information for review without relying solely on social media.

Request for response and timeline

Given the recent loss of two wild horses within less than two weeks and the continuing interaction between wildlife and vehicle traffic, I respectfully request that this matter receive timely attention.

I respectfully request:

• acknowledgment of this correspondence within 10 business days;
• if reasonably possible, a substantive written response within 30 calendar days; and
• if a complete response cannot reasonably be provided within that period, an interim update identifying the responsible office, the review currently underway, and the anticipated date of a fuller response.

The written response would be particularly helpful if it identifies:

• any immediate measures that can be implemented;
• measures currently being evaluated;
• the data or professional analysis that will inform those decisions;
• any barriers to implementation;
• and the anticipated timeline for further action.

This requested timeframe is intended to reflect the urgency of the current safety concern while recognizing that meaningful review, planning, and implementation may require additional time.

I am not asking the National Park Service to adopt a specific technology or roadway intervention without appropriate analysis.

I am asking that the risks be evaluated systematically, that available evidence be used to guide decisions, that feasible interim protections be considered promptly, and that the public be provided with a clear understanding of what is being done and what comes next.

The recent losses have generated significant public concern. That concern can be most productive when it is met with reliable information, transparent evaluation, measurable action, and continued communication.

Thank you for your consideration and for your stewardship of Assateague Island National Seashore.

Respectfully,

[YOUR NAME]
[CITY, STATE]
[EMAIL]
[PHONE — OPTIONAL]

Where To Send Your Letter

Recommended: Send your letter first to the Superintendent and NPS Northeast Regional Director. Maryland residents may also send a copy to their U.S. senators and appropriate congressional representative. State officials may be copied when the issue involves state coordination, Maryland jurisdiction, or support for federal action.

Please note: Assateague Island includes lands managed by different agencies. The National Park Service manages Assateague Island National Seashore; Maryland state officials do not direct NPS operations. Sending correspondence to the correct decision-maker helps ensure that advocacy is useful and appropriately directed.

Primary recipients

Hugh Hawthorne — Superintendent
Assateague Island National Seashore
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-1441
(This is the most direct recipient because the superintendent manages Assateague Island National Seashore and exercises substantial park-specific authority.)

Jennifer Flynn — Acting Regional Director, NPS Northeast Region
National Park Service
1234 Market Street, 20th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-201-2265
(Assateague is under the NPS Northeast regional structure, so this is the appropriate regional leadership office — not the National Capital Region office.)

Federal elected officials / oversight

U.S. Representative Andy Harris — Maryland 1st District
1536 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5311
(His office specifically says correspondence should be mailed to the Washington office. Assateague is within Maryland’s 1st Congressional District.)

U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks — Maryland
SR-374 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4524
(Her office also provides an online constituent-contact form; Maryland residents are encouraged to use it for issues affecting the state.)

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen — Maryland
730 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4654
(He also has an Eastern Shore office at 204 Cedar Street, Suite 200C, Cambridge, MD 21613.)

U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth — Maryland 3rd District
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4016
(NOTE: She is not Assateague’s district representative; she’s an additional federal oversight contact. Her office accepts mail and online messages.)

Department of the Interior

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum
c/o Office of the Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Mail Stop 7328
Washington, DC 20240

(DOI says correspondence for Secretarial executives can be sent to this address and will be directed to the appropriate bureau or office.)

Maryland state officials

These officials do not manage the National Seashore. They can be contacted regarding state coordination, transportation/public-safety issues touching Maryland jurisdiction, support, funding, or advocacy with federal partners.

Governor Wes Moore
Office of the Governor
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401-1925
Phone: 410-974-3901

Josh Kurtz — Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401

Senator Mary Beth Carozza — Maryland District 38
316 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-841-3645
Email: marybeth.carozza@senate.maryland.gov
Her district includes Worcester County.

Delegate Wayne A. Hartman — Maryland District 38C
213 Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-841-3356
Email: wayne.hartman@house.maryland.gov
His district includes Worcester County.