Latest News
By Federal Newswire Editorial Board | Oct 5, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that it will increase funding for its climate-smart agricultural programs from an initial $1.4 billion to $7.7 billion.
By Federal Newswire reports | Oct 4, 2024
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman sent a letter to Terry Cosby, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in response to a request for information regarding the implementation of the Sponsoring USDA Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions (SUSTAINS) Act. Hageman emphasized that the implementation must not infringe on landowners' rights or be manipulated by adversaries.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 4, 2024
American Stewards of Liberty (ASL) has raised concerns over the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) approach to conservation under the SUSTAINS Act. ASL said on August 29 via their website that the USDA is "monetizing natural processes under the Sustains Act," which they believe will result in "devastating consequences on the economy and property rights."
By U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) | Oct 4, 2024
The Antiquities Act was enacted in 1906 to preserve our nation’s natural treasures that are of “historic or scientific interest.”
By JODEY ARRINGTON | Oct 2, 2024
President Ronald Reagan famously quipped, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’”
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
In a Sep. 19 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) expressed concerns about implementation of the SUSTAINS Act, a bill signed into law as part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The law allows private entities to choose and then fund USDA conservation programs, with negative implications for landowners.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 20, 2024
Utah’s State Treasurer, Marlo Oaks, issued a warning against a plan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to monetize "ecological services." The Sep. 16 letter to Terry Cosby, Chief of the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, was a response to the USDA’s Request for Public Input on the implementation of sustainability targets under the SUSTAINS Act.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 19, 2024
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes said, "the fact that the federal government controls nearly 70% of Utah land seriously limits [Utah’s] state sovereignty." Reyes shared his statement in a press release on August 20.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 6, 2024
Washington State Representative Dan Newhouse has announced the introduction of the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act. The bill aims to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and block foreign adversaries from acquiring U.S. agricultural land.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 21, 2024
Utah filed a legal challenge this week in the U.S. Supreme Court against the federal government to confront a longstanding issue that involves the control and ownership of federal lands within the state. If accepted by the Court, the case could have implications for other western states where the federal government owns large swathes of land.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 9, 2024
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) advanced a model state bill regarding Natural Asset Companies (NAC) at their annual meeting.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 8, 2024
The Roosevelt County board of commissioners in New Mexico has filed a resolution opposing the land protection plan and Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge expansion plan from the federal government.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 5, 2024
Texas Republican Jodey Arrington has mounted an effort to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) proposed expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, an area that includes several counties in his congressional district.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 1, 2024
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans in April to expand the 6,440 acre Muleshoe Wildlife National Refuge in Texas to a total of 700,000 acres.
By Federal Newswire | Jun 27, 2024
Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands conducted a legislative hearing on six bills addressing significant land issues in local communities. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) provided a statement regarding the session: "Local land managers are the best stewards of the land, and the Subcommittee on Federal Lands has worked tirelessly to ensure the perspectives of rural communities are included in both the decision-making process and the subsequent management of our federal lands. Today’s bills continue ensuring local communities are not sidelined by the federal...
By Federal Newswire | Jun 27, 2024
Last week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act.
By Federal Newswire | Jun 26, 2024
The House Committee on Natural Resources today held a full committee markup and favorably reported the Fix Our Forests Act. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued a statement in response to the legislation's progress.
By Federal Newswire | Jun 26, 2024
The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs convened today to discuss two bills aimed at clarifying the Secretary of the Interior's authority to place land into trust. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) provided a statement on the matter:
By Federal Newswire | Jun 26, 2024
Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland and Designated Agency Ethics Official Heather Gottry. The letter continues the committee’s oversight of Secretary Haaland's potential conflicts of interest regarding Somah Haaland's involvement with the Pueblo Action Alliance (PAA) and the organization’s advocacy before DOI. In part, the members wrote:
By Federal Newswire | Jun 25, 2024
Earlier this month, Bozeman, Montana, hosted a significant virtual fencing workshop. Organized by the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) in collaboration with the Beyond Yellowstone Program, the event gathered experts from various sectors to explore advancements in virtual fencing technology. The workshop was supported by sponsors including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, World Wildlife Fund, and the University of Wyoming’s Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources – MacMillan Private Lands Stewardship Program, with backing from the Alumbra...
