Just two months after public outcry from recreationists forced the abandonment of a public lands sale in the West, history is repeating itself in the Mon as the Forest Service this week proposed to sell off National Forest lands, shortchanging rural counties and limiting recreational opportunities, charged U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-3).

Lands targeted for sale include almost 5,000 acres in the Monongahela, 458 of which are in Pocahontas County.

"This proposed land sale could have irreversible consequences for West Virginia, leaving us with far fewer acres to hunt, fish, and enjoy nature, and less funding for our schools and roads," warned Rahall.

The purported purpose of this sale is to fund the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, a law that provides additional funding for schools and roads in counties that are home to National Forests. Currently, the funding for this program is provided by timber receipts and the general treasury, and funding is based on historical timber receipts. The program also ensures a stable level of payments.

Last year, Pocahontas County received $485,000 for the school system, equaling about five percent of its annual operating budget.

But according to Agriculture Secretary Mark Rey, "The Administration's proposal would provide counties with about half the revenue they received for schools and roads during the previous five years."

"It is unacceptable to break this promise to rural communities who rely on these funds to provide adequate schools and safe roads for their residents. The Administration is playing a shell game with these vital funds, undermining the guarantee of a fair return for these communities," stated Rahall.

Rahall is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation, H.R. 517, to reauthorize the Secure Rural School and Community Self Determination Act. This legislation would continue the existing program that is set to expire this year.

To find out if a parcel of Federal land in your backyard could be up for sale, go to www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/rural_schools.