Gov. Ricketts issues statement rebuking Biden’s ‘radical environmental agenda’

Says president "should leave conservation to the pros – our farmers and ranchers"

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts released a column Tuesday continuing to oppose the Biden-Harris administration’s environmental policies.

“Nebraskans don’t need the Biden-Harris Administration lecturing us on the environment,” Ricketts said. “Our farmers, ranchers, businesses, and homeowners have proven their ability to responsibly use the natural resources we’ve been blessed with here in Nebraska.”

Ricketts signed an executive order last year to push back on the Biden administration’s conservation plan, specifically his 30×30 plan.

President Joe Biden’s 2021 executive order outlined a goal to conserve at least 30% of the country’s land and water by 2030.

The initiative seeks to reverse the negative impact of biodiversity decline and climate change by protecting natural areas and increasing access to nature.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, four out of five Americans favor the plan to protect at least 30 percent of America’s land, ocean areas, and inland waters by the year 2030 because they understand it will be good for their well-being and the environment.

A follow-up report from the Biden administration recognized the support and proposed an America the Beautiful campaign – a ten-year, locally led campaign based on conservation and restoration

The campaign advances the 30×30 plan by proposing eight principles to guide the effort, building an “American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas,” and publishing an annual report on the campaign’s progress.

Among other things, Ricketts’ executive order prohibited using state resources to support perpetual conservation easements.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency that permanently limits use of the land to protect its conservation values.

“President Biden should leave conservation to the pros – our farmers and ranchers,” Ricketts said. “Instead, he should focus on reining in rampant federal spending that’s led to record inflation and support policies that provide relief to American families.”

Ricketts and 15 other governors also sent a letter to Biden last year, calling for transparency about his proposed 30 x 30 program.

According to Ricketts, the group has received no answer.

Ricketts said he will celebrate Earth Day this Friday by hosting the nation’s first 30×30 summit in Lincoln.

“Here, national, state, and local leaders will come together to discuss voluntary conservation practices and how we can fight the Biden Administration’s overreach to protect our private property rights for future generations,” Ricketts said.