Public Comment Now Being Accepted

The US Forest Service has announced the opening of the public comment period on the proposed list of national forest lands that are to be sold to provide funding to re-authorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS). According to the press release I received from the Forest Service the 304,370 acres that would be sold represent less than .02% of government managed land. The land would first be offered to non-profits and local governments at market price before being sold to the highest bidder. The release also indicates that the USDA considers each of these parcels to be "isolated or inefficient to manage" due to location or other reasons.

I still am not sure this is a good idea but am withholding judgment until I see more about the final plan. Here is a link to the maps of the parcels that are proposed for sale. If they happen to fall around a nice trout stream, I suggest we all chip in and form a non-profit fishing club. Comments are being accepted until March 30th and may be sent by email to SRS_Land_Sales@fs.fed.us