Public-lands agenda turns more radical, urgent.

The article argues that Rep. Richard Pombo is in the crusade against environmental regulations in November 2005, tucking provisions into a budget bill that could lead to a massive public-lands sell-off. The proposal, masterminded by Pombo and Rep. Jim Gibbons would put as many as 350 million acres up for sale, including parcels within national parks and wilderness areas. The provisions may be pulled from the bill before it goes to the president for approval, but the fact that Pombo is pushing such a controversial proposal now may shed some light on Republican leaders' strategy at a time when more subtle policy shifts have been knocked back in the courts