Opposition grows to Bush plan to sell Tennessee forests

The Bush administration's plan to sell national forest lands is drawing widespread opposition and suffering legislative setbacks.

The plan is to help pay for rural schools by selling 300,000 forested acres in 35 states. That includes nearly 3,000 acres in 38 parcels in seven East Tennessee counties bordering North Carolina in the Cherokee National Forest.

The administration's plan is seen as virtually dead after the Senate Appropriations Committee, following the lead of its House counterpart, refused last week to include the proposal in an appropriations bill.

Congressman Zach Wamp of Chattanooga said opposition is strong and bipartisan to the land sales.

He said Congress has a role in objecting to the plan.