Kinnikinnick Chapter Of The Idaho Native Plant Society

22 March 2006

Sally D. Collins,
Associate Chief
Forest Service, USDA

Re: Secure Rural Schools Land Sales Initiative

 Dear M. Collins and Sirs,

 The Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Native Plant Society is opposed to the proposal to sell over 26,000 acres of federally owned USFS property scattered throughout Idaho . The historic USFS practice has been to use these parcels as a means to consolidate larger more complete ecosystems and tracts, thus giving opportunity for increased long term income through cost effective management and timber sales, increased recreational opportunity, and greater protection for our public lands, forests, and native plants.  Careful use of this approach continues to be the better option. We believe this proposed sale would be harmful to the health of our native fauna and flora, and would have a direct negative impact on all the people in Idaho .

We are directly concerned that some of these tracts support species and/or important ecosystems, which are quickly disappearing as Idaho becomes an increasingly popular destination and its population grows.  These parcels, even if discontinuous with other Forest Service lands, can still be ecologically valuable, buffering our communities and bridging with other public lands and undeveloped private lands.  These often augment contiguous ecosystems with natural and vital causeways for plants, animals and the public.  We believe that retaining these lands under Forest Service stewardship provides our communities with greater benefit.

We ask you to reject the current proposal to sell public lands.  Keep Idaho intact, helping our state progress towards, not away from, the reason people come to Idaho and why they want to stay.

Respectfully,

Phil Hough
President

Cc          
Governor Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho
U. S. Senator Larry Craig, Idaho
U. S. Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho
U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson, Idaho
U.S. Congressman C. L. “Butch” Otter, Idaho