National Forest Service Auctions Off Forest Land

The National Forest Service officials hope to make $175 million over the next 10 years by selling off hundreds of recreation sites and offices throughout the midwest and west. The service is hoping to make up for lost revenue due to the decline of the timber industry.

From The Houston Chronicle (Associated Press story):

Scott Silver of the Oregon group Wild Wilderness said starving the Forest Service of cash forces it to keep only the most lucrative sites and run public lands like a business.

"It's the complete perversion of the meaning of public lands," Silver said.