Federal government plans to permanently conserve 30 percent of the U.S. by 2030

Margaret Byfield was the guest of the Camp County Republican Party on May 21, and spoke on the issue of “30 x 30”.

Byfield described in detail the 30 x 30 plan, explaining that its purpose is to permanently conserve 30 percent of American lands and waters by 2030. This, however, is part of a global effort to permanently conserve 30 percent of global lands and waters by 2030.

Proponents of this plan state that only one percent of private lands are permanently protected, and only 12 percent of American lands en masse are permanently protected. It is believed by proponents of the plan that unless more conservation efforts are put into place, one-third of U.S. wildlife could be extinct in the coming decades.

Supported by the Center for American Progress (CAP), the Federal Government is encouraging acquisition by the federal government of lands, private and public, for conservation efforts. While many details in the wording in this plan are unclear, according to a CAP report, “According to the currently accepted international and domestic standards, for an area of land or ocean to be counted as protected, it must be permanently protected in a natural condition, and extractive uses must be limited or prohibited.” This would imply that lands permanently protected would unavailable for use in food, fiber, mineral, or fossil fuel production.

While the plan for acquisition of lands to place under permanent protection is also unclear, it has been stated by proponents of the 30 x 30 that landowners will voluntarily place their lands under contract that will eventually reach 30 percent of U.S. lands.

However, according to Byfield, it is impossible that the goal of 30 percent can be reached using voluntary actions by landowners, and more aggressive land restrictions will be required to reach this goal.

Byfield said this will especially affect Texas ranchers and farmers, as any program that pays federal dollars to a landowner may be used by the government to claim rights to that property, thus divesting the land owner of control over his private property.

Some of these programs include conservation easements (especially in easements in perpetuity), the Conservation Reserve Program, and any other program that utilizes federal funds to aid the individual landowner.

The Camp County Commissioner’s Court plans to consider passing a Resolution supporting private landownership and encouraging awareness to the issues of the acquisition of individual’s private land by the federal government.