Help Prevent USFS Land Sell-Off

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
03-20-06
Contact: Mark Eller

303-545-9011

The US Forest Service is proposing to sell about 200,000 acres to raise $800 million for the Secure Rural Schools program which funds rural schools and roads. IMBA members and clubs have identified many important land parcels that are at risk due to this pending sale.

We ask all mountain bicyclists to email the Forest Service to oppose the land sale. In California, 85,000 acres are at stake. In Colorado, riding areas near Crested Butte and Nederland are at risk. In Missouri, mountain bikers could lose a new trail system being developed.

Forest Service officials have targeted 2,900 parcels of national forest land within 32 states, totaling 304,000 acres. The list of lands proposed for sale and more information on the proposal can be viewed here (.pdf format). You can also view maps here.

IMBA recognizes that the USFS sometimes needs to sell awkwardly positioned land parcels, but these sales should only be made with public safety and the health of our forests in mind. A full-scale sell-off of public lands to support an important rural program is unsustainable and woefully short-sighted.

Take Action:

Deadline: March 30, 2006

Email:

Mail:
USDA Forest Service
SRS Comments, Lands 4S,
1400 Independence Ave, SW, Mailstop 1124
Washington, DC 20250-0003

Fax: (202) 205-1604

Talking Points:

Selling public lands to support federal programs is an unwise, short-sighted policy.
The public will permanently lose 200,000-300,000 acres of public lands nationwide valued at $800 million.
Taking funds from the US Forest Service and channeling them into a completely different program is inappropriate and unsustainable.
This proposal undermines the US Forest Service traditionally maintained program to have a no net loss in value of public lands.
Tell the Forest Service about any local knowledge you have of parcels they are considering for sale and why they are inappropriate.

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	Help Prevent USFS Land Sell-Off Action Alert For Immediate Release 03-20-06 Contact: Mark Eller 303-545-9011 The US Forest Service is proposing to sell about 200,000 acres to raise $800 million for the Secure Rural Schools program which funds rural schools and roads. IMBA members and clubs have identified many important land parcels that are at risk due to this pending sale. We ask all mountain bicyclists to email the Forest Service to oppose the land sale. In California, 85,000 acres are at stake. In Colorado, riding areas near Crested Butte and Nederland are at risk. In Missouri, mountain bikers could lose a new trail system being developed. Forest Service officials have targeted 2,900 parcels of national forest land within 32 states, totaling 304,000 acres. The list of lands proposed for sale and more information on the proposal can be viewed here (.pdf format). You can also view maps here. IMBA recognizes that the USFS sometimes needs to sell awkwardly positioned land parcels, but these sales should only be made with public safety and the health of our forests in mind. A full-scale sell-off of public lands to support an important rural program is unsustainable and woefully short-sighted. Take Action: Deadline: March 30, 2006 Email: Mail: USDA Forest Service SRS Comments, Lands 4S, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Mailstop 1124 Washington, DC 20250-0003 Fax: (202) 205-1604 Talking Points: Selling public lands to support federal programs is an unwise, short-sighted policy. The public will permanently lose 200,000-300,000 acres of public lands nationwide valued at $800 million. Taking funds from the US Forest Service and channeling them into a completely different program is inappropriate and unsustainable. This proposal undermines the US Forest Service traditionally maintained program to have a no net loss in value of public lands. Tell the Forest Service about any local knowledge you have of parcels they are considering for sale and why they are inappropriate.


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