WHAT: Environment Texas, state Rep. Donna Howard and others will hold a news conference to call on the School Land Board to delay the proposed sale of the Christmas Mountains to private interests.

On Tuesday, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and the two other members of the School Land Board (appointees of Governor Perry and Attorney General Abbott) will meet to consider the possible sale of the mountains to one of two private bidders. The Christmas Mountains were donated to the state of Texas in 1991 "for use as and inclusion in a nature park, wildlife refuge, recreational area or similarly designated use area." However, Commissioner Patterson has rejected appeals by the National Park Service, several lawmakers and thousands of individual Texans to delay the sale so Big Bend National Park could have time to further evaluate the possible acquisition of the mountains as part of the park.

Environment Texas will deliver a petition signed more than 4000 Texans asking Governor Perry and Attorney General Abbott to intervene and direct their appointees to vote to delay the sale.  

WHERE: South steps of Texas Capitol, Austin, Texas

WHEN: Monday, November 5, Noon

VISUALS: Large color photos of the Christmas Mountains. Also, the delivery of thousands of petition signatures to Gov. Perry's office.