Resolution would prevent forest sale
Graham is trying to prevent the sale by introducing
Published Feb. 24, 2006
If a federal law is enacted, up to 300 tracts of public forest land in Missouri could be sold, including portions of the Mark Twain National Forest in Boone County.
Senator Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, has introduced a resolution in the Missouri Senate to oppose the sale of the Mark Twain National Forest.
Public lands are used to preserve habitat and recreation and should always be protected, Missouri Forest Alliance Coordinator Jim Scheff said.
"It's horrible idea because it is shortsighted and a violation of the public's trust," Scheff said. "Even some Republicans and conservatives have come out against this plan as well. Public lands are an important part of our heritage and something we can't get back once we destroy them."
President George Bush wants to sell 200,000 acres of federal forest property to fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The sale would provide an alternate source of funding for the legislation, which would continue for five more years.
"This act would set a bad precedent, and if we let this one go, it would not be the final sale of forest land," Ted Farnen, Graham's chief of staff, said. "They funded this program for years without selling any of the federal forest, so they shouldn't have to now."
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act began in 2000.
The goal of the act is to "restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to states and counties containing National Forest System lands."
Scheff said one of his main problems with the act is the maps of the areas up for sale will not be released until the beginning of the 30-day federal comment period. The comment period is a time for states to react to the legislation and voice concerns.
"Thirty days is not enough time to seriously look at 300 parcels of land in Missouri or get an appropriate response from the public," Scheff said. "There is no way for us to go see all the areas of land and come up with substantial comments on each of the tracts. Regardless, not a single piece of land should be sold, and we don't want to get distracted by prioritizing the different tracts of land."
Although the resolution would not prevent the federal government from selling portions of the Mark Twain National Forest, it would send a strong message to the federal government that Missouri does not support the sale of forestland.
"Most people seem to agree with (Graham), but because it is a criticism of the Bush administration, some Republican senators may be less likely to vote for it," Farnen said.