AP Environmental Science

In the proposed budget files, FY07, President Bush is suggesting that the United States sell off land to raise money for the national treasury. The land planned to be sold: 800,000 acres of National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands.

According to The President’s Billion Dollar Public Land Sell Off Scheme, “The President’s budget proposal is part of a troubling trend to sell off American natural heritage.” Who mostly opposes this? Everyone from western conservationists to businesses and hunters & anglers to Democratic AND Republican Senators.

The Facts

• 32 states would be affected
• California would have thee most land up for sale with 85,000 acres
• How much money? From BLM Land (approx. 500,000 acres) - $182 million over 5 years, $351 million over 10 years
• Places up for grabs would include: 730 acres of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in both Oregon and Washington, 1300 acres in Washington close to Sultan’s Canyon.

Map of Columbia River Gorge

I think that it is a ridiculous plan to sell of land that belongs to the United States, even if we do need money (which I am not sure if we do). What if the people that end up buying the land decide to tear down the trees or do something drastic like that. Then ecosysystems would be ruined and wiped out. At least if they are going to sell it, there should be a clause in the document. These places that are being planned to be sold off provide fun for residents of the communities, but also for visitors. This should not be done.

The President’s Billion Dollar Public Land Sell Off Scheme            Information From: http://www.sierraclub.org/forests/notforsale/  Picture From: www.wikipedia.org