Ricketts Slams Biden Admin for Refusing to Clarify Key Terms in Controversial Conservation Plan
December 7, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member ofthe Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, slammed the Biden administration’s refusal to clarify how its “America the Beautiful” initiative would achieve conservation goals without violating private property rights. Formerly known as the “30×30 Plan,” the initiative seeks to conserve 30% of America’s land and waters by 2030.
“Ms. Williams, last time you were in front of this committee, you were unable to specify the congressional act that authorizes 30×30’s egregious land grab,” said Senator Ricketts. “That is because there is no congressional authority. There is still no clear definition of conservation. It’s led to uncertainty and instability for private landowners. The administration has consistently neglected to specify whether working lands conservation, multiple-use, and active management will be considered as part of the conservation criteria for 30×30. Numerous Congressional oversight inquiries have gone unanswered. It’s contributed to a state of confusion and uncertainty regarding the 30×30 initiative. True conservation is sustaining land for working land purposes.”
Ricketts also praised Nebraska farmers and ranchers on their conservation efforts.
“It is my belief that private landowners are the best stewards of our lands. Nebraskans are a prime example of this,” said Senator Ricketts. “Nebraskans have demonstrated that landowners can effectively balance the productive use of their land with conservation efforts. Nebraska is a national leader for acres utilizing no-till practices on farms. Our agricultural producers are voluntarily making decisions. They don’t need the federal government coming in to tell them how to do their business. These stakeholders and communities should instead be utilized for their knowledge.”
A champion of private property rights, Ricketts has been a longtime opponent of President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative. In May, Ricketts knocked the Biden administration for refusing to provide key definitions. As Governor, Ricketts hosted a “Stop the 30×30 Summit” and a series of townhalls across Nebraska to raise the alarm about the prospect of a federal land grab in pursuit of Biden’s conservation goals. In June
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member ofthe Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, slammed the Biden administration’s refusal to clarify how its “America the Beautiful” initiative would achieve conservation goals without violating private property rights. Formerly known as the “30×30 Plan,” the initiative seeks to conserve 30% of America’s land and waters by 2030.
“Ms. Williams, last time you were in front of this committee, you were unable to specify the congressional act that authorizes 30×30’s egregious land grab,” said Senator Ricketts. “That is because there is no congressional authority. There is still no clear definition of conservation. It’s led to uncertainty and instability for private landowners. The administration has consistently neglected to specify whether working lands conservation, multiple-use, and active management will be considered as part of the conservation criteria for 30×30. Numerous Congressional oversight inquiries have gone unanswered. It’s contributed to a state of confusion and uncertainty regarding the 30×30 initiative. True conservation is sustaining land for working land purposes.”
Ricketts also praised Nebraska farmers and ranchers on their conservation efforts.
“It is my belief that private landowners are the best stewards of our lands. Nebraskans are a prime example of this,” said Senator Ricketts. “Nebraskans have demonstrated that landowners can effectively balance the productive use of their land with conservation efforts. Nebraska is a national leader for acres utilizing no-till practices on farms. Our agricultural producers are voluntarily making decisions. They don’t need the federal government coming in to tell them how to do their business. These stakeholders and communities should instead be utilized for their knowledge.”
A champion of private property rights, Ricketts has been a longtime opponent of President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative. In May, Ricketts knocked the Biden administration for refusing to provide key definitions. As Governor, Ricketts hosted a “Stop the 30×30 Summit” and a series of townhalls across Nebraska to raise the alarm about the prospect of a federal land grab in pursuit of Biden’s conservation goals. In June of 2021, he signed an executive order aimed at stopping its implementation of the plan.
Watch the video HERE.
Ricketts made the comments in a hearing of the Committee on Environment and Public Works while questioning Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Service Department of the Interior, and Brian. Fouch, P.E., Associate Administrator for Federal Lands, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation. The hearing was entitled “Investments in Habitat and Ecosystem Restoration, Pollinators, and Wildlife Crossings.”