PNS - 
National park supporters fear an amendment up for a possible U.S. Senate vote this week would allow the sell-off of national park land.
If it passes, the legislation would remove language requiring the U.S. government to preserve national parks as federal lands. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is adding the amendment to the Interior Department appropriations bill.
Michelle Uberuaga, Yellowstone National Park senior manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, questioned the last-minute timing, right before the holidays.
"This is one more threat and a clear indication that Sen. Lee is not backing down, that he still intends to work to sell public lands, and even potentially national park units," Uberuaga asserted.
Lee chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. He has said he believes the federal government owns too much land and mismanages it, especially in the western United States. He sponsored legislation over the summer that would have allowed the sale of public land but the proposals failed after stiff opposition, including in Montana.
Uberuaga noted beyond the threat to the land, her Montana community in Yellowstone's northern gateway depends on tourism dollars from the park.
"For every dollar that Congress invests in Yellowstone, that brings $15 back into our community," Uberuaga pointed out. "So many people, so many jobs in our small-business community, depend upon Yellowstone. Not to mention all the federal employees who make up a critical part of our community."
Uberuaga and her colleagues are urging people to call Montana's senators and ask them to vote against the amendment. A vote has not yet been scheduled but with two days left before the holiday recess, Uberuaga anticipates a vote this week.
