Auctioning the Gorge…
by Peter BrayFebruary 20th, 2006 at 09:48:00
I’ve blogged about this on Daily Kos and Land Use Watch, but it is important enough to highlight again and again.
Bush wants to privatize hundreds of thousands of acres of national forest. According to the forest service (and the pandering Oregonian), this land has no value.
But wait…
It turns out that part of the land slated for sale is in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area:
Properties on both sides of the Columbia Gorge are named on the potential sale list. These include lands in Corbett, above Sheppard’s Dell and near Cascade Locks in Oregon. On the Washington side, land near Cape Horn, Wind Mountain and above the flooded Celilo Falls would be available to the highest bidder.
And just a quick search on Google finds that land in other states is deemed (by the regional forester no less) to be valuable for recreation and hunting. Or it overlooks national parks. Or, shockingly, it abuts land that was purchased for conservation by the very same government.
ACTION ALERT. Takes 1 minute. Please take action by emailing the regional forester and, more importantly, your congressional delegation.
February 21st, 2006 at 1:00 pm
Combine this with the new Measure 37 ruling… what will we tell our grandchildren…
February 22nd, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I applaud the Onward Oregon site. I’m a newbie (1 month) I’m a native Hood Riverite (53 years) and have seen many changes here, needless to say. Measure 37 will impact this valley with multi-acre fertile farmlands divided into subdivisions for housing. And adding insult to injury, now President Bush wants to sell public lands for yet even more private ownership.
I grew up hiking with my mother and her friends. We hiked all seasons in all types of weather. It is in my blood, and it is in our wild lands that many other people such as myself connect and renew ourselves in this hectic world.
I have not read the book but saw a discussion group on OPB on Robert Kennedy Jr.’s book “Crimes Against Nature”. It was very disturbing the list of atrocities Bush is committing against OUR lands.
I have sent personalized letters to my 4 representatives and congressmen, and the regional forester with the Columbia Gorge to voice my dissatisfaction with the proposed land sales.
I urge all readers to do the same.
Selling our public lands is a shortsighted quick fix to help Bush gain back war money that should’ve stayed stateside to begin with.
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Ricki,
If you haven’t yet, join 1000 Friends of Oregon.
June 1st, 2007 at 1:29 pm
bet sports…
mimicking?christen horribleness scantiness …