Senator Questions US Fish and Wildlife Director on impacts of Biden’s 30×30 plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) questioned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Director Martha Williams today on the impact the Biden administration’s 30×30 initiative would have on Wyoming people, communities and industries.
“People in Wyoming are concerned about this 30×30 plan. It would be helpful to the people I represent to have a legally cited explanation for why potentially changing the use of hundreds of millions of acres is not a major federal action,” Senator Lummis said. “When an initiative is announced that is hugely consequential for the West, yet it doesn’t have the normal framework that is used to have interaction and public input and dialogue in a state like mine that is half federal land, it’s scary. We need something in writing that guarantees that the people in Wyoming are part of the process when addressing the federal land in our state.”
Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden announced a plan to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and 30 percent of U.S. ocean areas by 2030. Also referred to as the “America the Beautiful” plan, it lays out vague recommendations for climate action, conservation, and recreation on federal lands.
Senator Lummis joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on a letter to the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory asking for a National Environmental Policy Act Review of any efforts related to the 30×30 plan.
Senator Lummis also asked Director Williams about the status and process of Wyoming’s petition to remove the Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Bear from the endangered species list.
To view the hearing, click here.
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