Agriculture Concerned About Biden’s 30X30 Proposal

The American Farm Bureau Federation is one of many ag groups calling on the Biden Administration to act responsibly when it comes to conservation. Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030, commonly known as “30X30,” is raising many questions. April Clayton with the Washington Farm Bureau said while details of the plan are missing, the first action by the Administration has already been taken.

“On February 11st, Scott de la Vega, Biden’s acting Secretary of the Interior revoked an order from the previous Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, concerning the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which gave local government a seat at the table, by specifically giving governors and local officials veto power over pending land acquisitions.”

Clayton said farmers, producers and really all rural Americans need to let local county commissions know this is taking place so they can write resolutions to prevent this from taking place. She added while the Administration has not laid out what lands will be targeted the growing fear is that rural lands will be grabbed first.

“Just look at Alaska. I believe over 90% of the land in Alaska is federally maintained, so there’s already a lot of land the government controls, like I said 12% [nationwide], it’s just how good are they doing it. The forests are not maintained that well, that’s why we have bad wildfires. I think farmers and ranchers are excellent stewards and the fear is they are going after rural land.”

The 30x30 is grabbing more national attention as well. In a recent letter to the Biden Administration, the American Farm Bureau Federation requested:

That the administration provides clarity on the initiative
That the effort recognizes voluntary conservation efforts already underway
That the administration seeks input from farmers and ranchers.

The AFBF letter points out that farmers and ranchers have voluntarily enrolled more than 140 million acres of private land into federal and non-federal conservation programs; a landmass larger than the states of New York and California combined.

Click Here to read the entire letter.

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