Western Caucus Members Affirm Commitment to Conservation, Demand Answers on "30 by 30' Initiative

Press Release

This week, Chairmen Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) of the Congressional & Senate Western Caucuses led 12 Senate Members and 50 House Members of the respective Caucuses in sending a letter to President Biden asking important clarifying questions about the Biden Administration's Executive Order establishing a directive to put restrictions on at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030 (30 by 30).

"The lack of detail accompanying this goal, the inability of your nominee for Secretary of the Interior -- author of the mirroring legislation -- to answer questions about this initiative, and the fact that this effort is spear-headed by an unconfirmed appointee housed in the National Climate Task Force has resulted in numerous concerns raised by those who live, work, and recreate on and near public lands," wrote the lawmakers.

Western Caucus Members outlined their concern that Western states would be disproportionately impacted by the 30 by 30 Initiative and demanded President Biden provide details about how he plans accomplish this goal without harming the industries, economies, and ways of life in Western and rural communities.

"The West is already paving the way on conservation," they wrote. "Stewardship of our lands is embedded in our Western values. Sustainable, healthy land is the lifeblood of our rural communities and our outdoor heritage and rural economies thrive when our lands are properly managed. While the Administration has implied that multiple-use is not contrary to conservation, recent activities that attack key industries suggests otherwise."

The federal government manages 640 million acres of land, over 90% of which is west of the Mississippi River. The Western Caucus supports policies to promote active land management, multiple-use, locally-led conservation efforts, and public land access that benefits local, rural communities and strengthens economic development throughout rural America.

They continued, "Conservation remains a top priority for Western congressional members, and our constituents' lives and livelihoods rely upon a healthy, actively-managed landscape. However, the 30 by 30 initiative displays a dangerous thoughtlessness and far too many of our questions have been left unanswered."

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