The U.S. Forest Service would use the revenues from the sale of more than 273,000 acres of national forest to buy land and improve habitat, federal officials announced Tuesday.
Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey disclosed details of a revived proposal to sell off parcels of national forest land to raise $800 million. The money would extend a program aiding rural counties.
The proposal to extend the federal aid program was unveiled last year and fizzled after it was met with resounding opposition from environmentalists and other groups.
In Colorado, more than 21,000 acres was proposed for sale including tracts overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park, on the scenic road to Mount Evans and near the trail to its most popular 14,000-foot peaks.
President Bush’s budget, which was released Monday, contains a retooled version, which slightly decreases the amount of acreage offered for sale and redirects half of revenue for land acquisition in the state the sales are made.
Rey said he doesn’t think that all of the parcels would need to be sold.
“We’re also happy to discuss alternatives with anyone who thinks they have a better idea,” Rey said. Even with the changes, environmental groups said the proposal still falls short.
“It was a bad idea last year and even with all the new bells and whistles on it, it’s still a bad idea,” said Michael Francis, The Wilderness Society’s national forest program director.
