The Biden Administration's ambitious goal to protect 30% of the nation's land by 2030, known as the 30x30 initiative, may be closer to realization than previously thought. The American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), a non-profit organization committed to safeguarding private property rights, suggests that over half of the required additional 400 million acres could be acquired within the next five years. According to ASL, this potential acquisition would be facilitated through environmental groups awarded federal funding this year, enabling the administration to gain control over an estimated 225 million acres of private land.
In April 2024, according to ASL, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $1.5 billion availability for conservation and climate projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). ASL cites a USDA press release stating that this program is part of Biden’s broader 30×30 agenda. This initiative, also known as "America the Beautiful," was initiated via an executive order signed shortly after President Biden assumed office.
The RCPP provides federal grants to environmental nonprofits for conservation projects. These include funding entities such as land trusts which place private lands under conservation easements in perpetuity. According to the USGS Gap analysis, these easements on private lands account for 1% of the protected lands identified in the 30×30 program. With this initial round of RCPP funding, ASL believes that up to 225 million acres could transition into protected status under the 30×30 initiative.
ASL points out that it remains unclear how much federal funding will be used for purchasing these perpetual conservation easements. However, they highlight a significant concern: "What is known is that when this money is used for government or land trust purchases of conservation easements, the land is no longer private property. The conservation purpose enforced by the holder of the easement now controls the land, making the landowner the subservient owner of the property," ASL stated. They further note that using federal funds could pose additional challenges for private landowners, potentially triggering more federal laws and future restrictions.
ASL also mentions that federal funds are being allocated to environmental groups through the 2018 Farm Bill. They estimate that through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) RCPP funding, these groups received $200 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and will receive $500 million for FY 2023.
