Dear Virginia conservationist:

We just learned today (3/29/06) that the House is expected to release its budget resolution as early as this Wednesday. Budget Chairman Jim Nussle has indicated that he very likely will include President Bush's proposal to sell off nearly a million acres of public lands managed by both the U.S Forest Service and BLM. For Virginia that means 5,717acres of national forest will be sold off to as a one time payment to rural school in the northwest.

Using the budget to push unpopular proposals is nothing new. The same tactics were used recently for both a proposal to drill the Arctic Refuge and last year's scheme, backed by Rep Richard Pombo, allowing mining companies to patent and then sell public lands. While many Republicans in Congress have released strong statements opposing the proposed land sales, their possible inclusion in the budget would allow proponents to avoid a full, fair and open debate. It's critical that we keep this public lands grab loophole out of the Budget Resolution in this first critical stage--the Budget Resolution.

Representative Thelma Drake (R) sits on the House Resources committee, the panel that would normally consider such legislation. It is critical that she understands that she is not representing her district or state if she goes along with this latest Congressional sell off of our public lands.

Please contact Representative Drake today urging her to tell Chairman Nussle not to go forward with this land grab. Her number is 202-225-4215.

Look up your representative: http://action.nwf.org/nwf/leg-lookup/search.tcl