Posted by Lori Kincaid on February 6, 2007 at 7:34 AM
Unbelievable. Last year the Bush administration proposed the sale of public lands under the guise of funding rural school initiatives. They couldn't get that passed due to strong bipartisan opposition, so what do they do? Propose the sale of public lands to pay for basic conservation and recreation activities while simultaneously making large cuts in those programs and increasing commerical timbering subsidies. Go figure. Time to rally the troops!
Lori
Posted by Bill Chambers on February 6, 2007 at 10:06 AM
I'm an Independent. This means I can criticize everybody! This proposal seems to be a perfect example of going around your ass to get to your elbow! (pardon my french). Selling $800 million of land and then using half of the proceeds for land acquisition! HUH??? Somebody 'splain that one to me!!
These beautiful lands are kind of like virginity - once they're gone, there ain't no getting them back! I see this all too much here in Florida, where if you're a developer and have a dollar to stick in someone's pocket, "protected" is just another word which translates into "reserved for developers".
Richard, please let us know some details when you get them so we can become more involved. This is so sad.
Posted by John Zinn on February 6, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Thanks for the heads up Richard. Following a link in the article, there is a map showing parcels proposed for sale. Looks like they may be the same parcels proposed last year.
Posted by Joe Baltimore on February 6, 2007 at 6:14 PM
I sent in my query asking for some clarification on what this really means. I don't like responding emotionally to a newspaper story -- just don't like letting the media get the best of me.
I'll follow up here with anything I hear back. I sent a note to Senator Dole and my Rep. David Price.
Took them a while, but I heard back from one of my Reps. Take it for what it's worth...
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April 30, 2007
Dear Mr. Baltimore:
Thank you for contacting me in opposition to the Bush Administration's proposed sale of national forest system lands to provide funding for rural schools. I share your concern about this proposal.
As you know, the Bush Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget request includes a U.S. Forest Service proposal to sell 270,000 acres of national forest land nationwide. Proceeds from the sale, estimated at $800 million, would continue payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, which expired on September 30, 2006, for an additional five years. A total of 5,685 of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land in North Carolina have been identified by the Bush Administration for sale.
Our national forests provide wildlife habitat, critical watershed protection, and a wealth of recreational and environmental benefits to the general public. It is vital that these public lands, which are a legacy for future generations, remain in public ownership. Earlier this year, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the House Budget Committee asking that it oppose the Bush Administration's proposal and find alternative funding for any extension of the Secure Rural Schools Act in the FY 2008 Congressional Budget Resolution.
I am happy to report that neither the House nor Senate version of the FY 2008 Budget Resolution, both of which were approved in late March, assumes funding from the sale of USFS land. This result should ensure that the Bush Administration is unable to implement its planned land sale.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to stay in touch on issues of concern.
Sincerely,
DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress
PS: Please sign up for periodic updates on issues, events, and town hall meetings at http://price.house.gov/Forms/EmailSignup.
*** MY OFFICE IS USING AN ELECTRONIC MAIL RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT WILL FACILITATE EMAIL COMMUNICATION WITH CONSTITUENTS. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT I CANNOT GUARANTEE THE INTEGRITY OF THE TEXT OF THIS MESSAGE UNLESS IT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU DIRECTLY FROM MY CONGRESSIONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT: nc04ima@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV ***
***PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A SEND ONLY ACCOUNT. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, PLEASE VISIT MY WEB SITE AT http://price.house.gov/Contact/ ***
Discussion
6 repliesLori
These beautiful lands are kind of like virginity - once they're gone, there ain't no getting them back! I see this all too much here in Florida, where if you're a developer and have a dollar to stick in someone's pocket, "protected" is just another word which translates into "reserved for developers".
Richard, please let us know some details when you get them so we can become more involved. This is so sad.
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=nc
It cant hurt...
I'll follow up here with anything I hear back. I sent a note to Senator Dole and my Rep. David Price.
-------------------------------------
April 30, 2007
Dear Mr. Baltimore:
Thank you for contacting me in opposition to the Bush Administration's proposed sale of national forest system lands to provide funding for rural schools. I share your concern about this proposal.
As you know, the Bush Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget request includes a U.S. Forest Service proposal to sell 270,000 acres of national forest land nationwide. Proceeds from the sale, estimated at $800 million, would continue payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, which expired on September 30, 2006, for an additional five years. A total of 5,685 of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land in North Carolina have been identified by the Bush Administration for sale.
Our national forests provide wildlife habitat, critical watershed protection, and a wealth of recreational and environmental benefits to the general public. It is vital that these public lands, which are a legacy for future generations, remain in public ownership. Earlier this year, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the House Budget Committee asking that it oppose the Bush Administration's proposal and find alternative funding for any extension of the Secure Rural Schools Act in the FY 2008 Congressional Budget Resolution.
I am happy to report that neither the House nor Senate version of the FY 2008 Budget Resolution, both of which were approved in late March, assumes funding from the sale of USFS land. This result should ensure that the Bush Administration is unable to implement its planned land sale.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to stay in touch on issues of concern.
Sincerely,
DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress
PS: Please sign up for periodic updates on issues, events, and town hall meetings at http://price.house.gov/Forms/EmailSignup.
*** MY OFFICE IS USING AN ELECTRONIC MAIL RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT WILL FACILITATE EMAIL COMMUNICATION WITH CONSTITUENTS. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT I CANNOT GUARANTEE THE INTEGRITY OF THE TEXT OF THIS MESSAGE UNLESS IT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU DIRECTLY FROM MY CONGRESSIONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT: nc04ima@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV ***
***PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A SEND ONLY ACCOUNT. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, PLEASE VISIT MY WEB SITE AT http://price.house.gov/Contact/ ***
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