March 30, 2006

Mr. Mark Rey, Under Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Secretary
Washington, D.C. 20250

RE: Extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Woodland Lake Parcel, Pinetop-Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona

Dear Mr. Rey:

The White Mountains Land Trust (WMLT) has reviewed the lands identified as potentially eligible for liquidation by the USDA Forest Service to fund an extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Our intent is not to provide comment on the extension of this act or the overall land disposal proposal, but to comment on the inclusion of 575 acres under this proposal located in the town limits of Pinetop-Lakeside, known as the “Woodland Lake Park” parcel. The mission of the WMLT, a recently (2004) incorporated non-profit organization, is to promote the conservation and stewardship of natural areas and open spaces in the White Mountains of Arizona, to promote responsible use of land and water resources, and to enhance and improve the quality of life in the White Mountains for the benefit of the general public.

Working to secure Woodland Lake Park, community help is needed

By: Norris Dodd, Town Councilor and Chair of the Woodland Lake Park Task Force

Since incorporation in 1984, the Town has been working to secure the 583-acre Woodland Lake Park (WLP) parcel, the very heart and soul of our community. Previous decades of effort focused on trying to acquire the parcel as a “gift.” And though the U.S. Forest Service would indeed like to rid itself of the parcel, now an unmanageable island surround by private land, the laws and regulations that guide the agency simply won’t allow them to “give it away.” Many residents aren’t aware that the Town doesn’t own WLP, and even more are unaware of its precarious status. Twice in as many years the Federal government has put WLP on a list of Forest Service parcels to be sold to generate funds for rural schools, underscoring its risk of falling into private ownership. On the positive side, a 1998 Federal law passed at the request of the Town that stipulates that only the Town may purchase the parcel without further action by Congress provides some security. It also provides breathing room under which to develop a comprehensive set of strategies to secure WLP. This is now one of the Town’s highest priorities, and a diverse group of citizens and Town staff are working feverishly to craft and implement strategies to secure WLP.

1. Vision (Year 2015)

Education Land Grant Act of 2000

Education Land Grant Act of 2000 (Introduced in House)

HR 5618 IH

106th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5618

To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey National Forest System lands for use for educational purposes.