RAPID CITY, SD – Upon taking office, President Joe Biden released several executive orders, among them Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” (86 Fed. Reg. 7,619), which he signed on Jan. 27.
Contained in the order is the “30 x 30” program, a movement forwarded by environmental and climate change activists to put 30 percent of the government’s land and 30 percent of its ocean areas water and inland waters under permanent protection by 2030. Meeting the 30×30 goal will require coordination among multiple federal agencies, states, tribes, and communities.
Since the executive order, western governors and lawmakers have described the concept as federal overreach and questioned the need for the 30×30 plan, or asked what it means. The questions keep growing as does rural western opposition. Agricultural interests are taking swift action against the initiative that does not propose infringing on private land, but may further regulate already held government lands, ocean areas water and inland waters.
South Dakota Stockgrower’s Association is hosting a program titled, “ “30 x 30” Land Grab,”” presented by the American Stewards of Liberty, Tues., April 20 at the Historic Elks Theater, Rapid City, beginning at 7:00pm.
Among the presenters is property rights advocate Margaret Byfield, the executive director of American Stewards of Liberty. Byfield will be giving ranchers, landowners, and county government officials strategies for fighting the 30 x 30 plan.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem joined Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and 15 other state governors, including Govs. Mark Gordon of Wyoming, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Greg Gianforte of Montana, and Brad Little of Idaho in a letter to Biden warning against the potential federal overreach.
A National Geographic article cited that the U.S. is conserving as much as 26% of its coastal waters, but only about 12% of its land. “To reach the 30 by 30 target will require conserving an additional area twice the size of Texas, more than 440 million acres, within the next 10 years.” Proponents say the “30 x 30” plan is necessary to reverse nature’s decline, fight climate change, and secure natural life support systems for clean air and water, food, and quality of life.
Opponents claim it is an example of federal overreach.
There is a fee for the program. Contact the Elks Theatre in Rapid City for more information.
