Julia McCray, the executive director of Allegheny Forest Alliance (AFA), recently expressed her concerns regarding the proposed Natural Asset Company (NAC) rule, which is currently under consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She called upon Americans to oppose this rule, describing it as a "boot on the throat" of small communities.
McCray expressed her alarm at what she perceives as a growing threat to American land and resources. "It’s shocking when you look at the last 40 years or so of legislation and agency Rule changes and see the puzzle pieces being put in place to make a takeover of American land and resources possible," she said. McCray continued, "Our own government is betraying us, and if we don’t stand up and say 'No' to them, loud and clear, we will lose it all."
The Federal Newswire explains that the proposed rule refers to the SEC's endorsement of a new investment known as NAC. This novel investment product has been developed by the Intrinsic Exchange Group (IEG) in collaboration with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). It supports the 30x30 initiative, aiming to permanently protect 30 percent of Earth's land and oceans by 2023.
According to her statement made to Federal Newswire, McCray warned that "the NAC proposal will be a 'boot on the throat' of these (primarily) small, rural communities, leading inevitably to their downfall."
She further elaborated on this issue during her conversation with Federal Newswire. "Communities who host federal forest lands are both dependent on and deeply invested in how their forests are managed – financially, economically, and environmentally," McCray explained. "They often have large portions of their landmass occupied by forest...and the government does not pay taxes. This makes these communities reliant on PILT payments...It also increases local taxes and limits economic development opportunities. While there are certainly benefits to the presence of national forests, they are also a local burden."
A memo from AFA outlines the risks associated with the establishment of NACs, including potential damage to small family businesses, job losses, and property tax issues. The memo suggests that community decline will ensue if NACs decide to limit timber and oil/gas production or restrict recreational use. It raises concerns about the influence of NACs on adjacent resources, private land, and communities potentially undermining local input on management decisions. Furthermore, it questions the control a small, wealthy group might exert over U.S. land and resources, potentially including foreign entities.
McCray echoed these concerns in her statement, outlining similar outcomes that AFA anticipates due to the proposed NAC rule. She concluded by saying that "no one is a better steward of ecosystem sustainability than those who live and depend on the land to sustain them."
The AFA website reveals that it is a non-profit coalition consisting of citizens, school districts, townships, boroughs, timber, lumber and wood product manufacturers as well as sporting and wildlife conservation groups. Established in 1997, it serves as a liaison between local rural communities and the Allegheny National Forest.
The 3 Pillarz Farm website describes McCray as a professional entrepreneur who advocates for rural life. With experience in tourism, municipal administration and nonprofit leadership roles, she currently holds the position of executive director at Allegheny Forest Alliance. The website states that McCray is committed to promoting forest health and community stability through sustainable forest management.
