Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, has drafted legislation that requires the Secretary of the Interior to sell 15 parcels of land in far-flung areas of the country for the "purposes of commercial and residential development." One of the places that this Representative Dick wants to sell is
Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, a place both wild and beautiful nestled in the Potomac River adjacent to the Watergate (one more symbol of Republican infamy.)
For those of you who have not visited it, the National Park Service provides a flavor of the Theodore Roosevelt Island Park:
Two and one-half miles of trails lead through the marsh, swamp and forest. Visitors often see birds or small mammals. The George Washington Memorial Parkway facilities and programs provide a variety of educational and recreational opportunities year round.
As the DCist observes:
This Draft Reconciliation Bill just moved out of the Panel, so it has a ways to go before it's enacted. So if you'd prefer the District's Roosevelt Island not end up looking like New York City's Roosevelt Island, the time to act is now.
Please write your Representative today and complain to her or him about Subtitle C, Sections 6306-6308 of the Draft Reconciliation Bill.