The House Committee on Natural Resources is continuing its investigation into the use of 30x30 initiative funds allocated by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Committee members have expressed their frustration with CEQ's lack of response to previous oversight requests. A letter addressed to CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory highlights the committee's determination to ensure transparency in the use of public funds for the 30x30 initiative:
"As you are aware, on March 22, 2024, the Committee sent you a letter requesting information, documents, and records critical to our ongoing oversight activity. Since then, CEQ has failed to comply and provide a substantive reply or production responsive to the Committee’s requests... Your silence and lack of a response to the Committee Letter suggests that CEQ is deliberately engaging in obstruction to frustrate the oversight power of Congress. This is unacceptable. The American public deserves transparency, and the Committee will use every tool at its disposal to administer effective oversight and fulfill the Committee’s responsibility to the American people."
The Biden administration's 30x30 initiative aims to place 30% of U.S. lands and waters under restrictive management by 2030. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of clarity on how this initiative will impact various stakeholders. CEQ's announcement of a "$1 billion America the Beautiful Challenge" to support the 30x30 agenda has raised questions about fund allocation and project selection processes.
The House Committee on Natural Resources is committed to obtaining detailed information from CEQ regarding the administration's 30x30 initiative. Despite repeated requests, the administration has not provided satisfactory answers about fund allocation, project selection criteria, and the overall cost of advancing the 30x30 agenda.
