Link: White House wants to sell federal forestland - to support schools!

[suziedemocrat]

Link: http://espn.go.com/outdoors/general/news/2006/0210/2326377.html

White House wants to sell federal forestland
Plan would subsidize schools in timber country, but opponents say it would hurt hunters, anglers, campers, foresters, cattlemen, miners and others
By James W. Brosnan
Scripps Howard News Service — Feb. 10, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is proposing to sell up to 307,000 acres of national forestland in 32 states to developers to subsidize schools in timber country.

The U.S. Forest Service hopes to generate $800 million over five years from the sale of isolated parcels that are difficult for foresters to manage, said Mark Rey, undersecretary of Agriculture for natural resources and environment.

More than 25 percent of the acres being considered for sale are in California, with 85,465 acres. Idaho is next with 26,194 acres, followed by Colorado, at 21,572 acres, and Missouri, at 21,566 acres.

...More ...

[napi21]

1. Well, other than Calif. the rest of them are Shrub Country~

Don't you suppose those fundies will just LOVE the idea?

[randr]

2. Cuts across the board for everything, except to the war mongers

profiteering on the blood of Americans, and now the sale of our country's most valued assets!!
AND THE ECONOMY IS DOING JUST FINE??????
When o when will the people of this nation wake up and smell the forest burning.

[acmavm]

3. Selling it to support the schools my ass. n/t

[suziedemocrat]

7. No doubt. I can hear them now - you guys want education - it'll cost ya!

Want gas below $3/gallon - it'll cost ya too. This story is just so outrageous - I can't believe they can be so brazen!!!

[lyonn]

4. Sell to developers??

Ain't nothing sacred to this bunch? Timberland? It would subsidize schools in timber country, ya, right. We are talking Small populations to educate vs. timber (forest). Can we pronounce Lobbying, logging industry is there at the WH door with the dollars.

Edit: Would be nice to see a map showing the location of these lands. $800 mil in 5 years, big deal, only to the timber industry. Who develops in those areas but timber companies, not home development, shopping centers, ha.

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Pombo, Pombo, Pombo.

Everyone in California needs to be reminded that this is a special gift from Richard Pombo(R-Tracy).

[Chipper Chat]

9. A light bulb just went off in my head.

Most Dems I know appreciate the environment. How can Republicans do this? I just realized most republicans I know live inside houses with the a/c always running, the windows closed, and the blinds shut. They dont go fishing, picknicking, or hiking in the woods & mountains. They are money grubbers and TV-watchers (Fox of course).
Yes now I know - so stuff it Pombo & all your ilk (including the Shrub).

[Lefty48197]

6. I wonder if those "isolated parcels" contain old growth timber?

...and I wonder if somebody in the logging industry recommended the specific parcels to the Bush administration?

[FightingIrish]

8. This "yard sale" wouldn't even be considered were it not for

Billions wasted in Iraq
Insane tax cuts for the very wealthy
Fraud and corruption in spending federal funds
Record defense budget
Incompetent management of federal agencies

I live in Oregon and my son works in the forests. Without question the worst forest management practices occur on private land. We will see clear cutting of this land once it is in private hands and it will never be replanted.