Kingfisher County Commissioners reported Monday a meeting was planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Autry Technology Center in Enid regarding the effect of President Joe Biden’s “30 by 30” initiative on western Oklahoma.

It was reported at Monday’s commissioners’ meeting that part of the plan would involve placing portions of the Chisholm Trail and Great Western Trail in western Oklahoma under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.

Commission Chairman Heath Dobrovolny said he would attempt to attend the meeting to learn more about the plan.

Congressman Frank Lucas, 3rd District, Oklahoma, said the Biden administration’s America the Beautiful initiative has prompted him to no longer support efforts to designate the old Chisholm and Western trails as National Historic Trails.

America the Beautiful is a loosely defined endeavor to include 30% of the nation’s land and water in various types of conservation programs by 2030 and part of global undertaking called “30 by 30.”

About 12% of the United States is currently considered “protected” and while the Biden administration says it would like to see more parks and outdoor recreation areas, the 30% mark would also include voluntary conservation measures by private land owners and local government projects.

Lucas said 30 by 30 has become one of the predominant topics at public forums in his district.

Lucas has joined Chairmen Dan Newhouse (RWA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) of the Congressional & Senate Western Caucuses in sending a letter to President Biden asking important clarifying questions about the Biden Administration’s Executive Order establishing a directive to put restrictions on at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

“Oklahomans – and those who call the West home – are proud conservationists and stewards of our country’s land. It’s this same land that allows for hundreds of thousands of rural communities to thrive, supporting agriculture, energy, recreation, and many other industries that are the driving force behind our rural economies,” said Lucas. “The Biden Administration’s 30 by 30 Initiative, without clarification, represents an egregious federal land grab that not only threatens the prosperity of our rural communities, but also undermines the private property rights of millions of Americans.

“I urge President Biden and his administration to provide Congress the details of the 30 by 30 Initiative and ensure the American people that their industries, economies, and livelihoods won’t be negatively impacted.” Western caucus members outlined their concern that western states would be disproportionately impacted by the 30 by 30 Initiative and demanded President Biden provide details about how he plans to accomplish this goal without harming the industries, economies and ways of life in western and rural communities.

“The lack of detail accompanying this goal, the inability of your nominee for Secretary of the Interior – author of the mirroring legislation – to answer questions about this initiative and the fact that this effort is spear-headed by an unconfirmed appointee housed in the National Climate Task Force has resulted in numerous concerns raised by those who live, work, and recreate on and near public lands,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers continued, “The west is already paving the way on conservation. Stewardship of our lands is embedded in our western values. Sustainable, healthy land is the lifeblood of our rural communities and our outdoor heritage and rural economies thrive when our lands are properly managed. While the administration has implied that multiple-use is not contrary to conservation, recent activities that attack key industries suggests otherwise.”

The federal government manages 640 million acres of land, over 90% of which is west of the Mississippi River.

The Western Caucus supports policies to promote active land management, multiple-use, locally- led conservation efforts, and public land access that benefits local, rural communities and strengthens economic development throughout rural America.

“Conservation remains a top priority for Western congressional members, and our constituents’ lives and livelihoods rely upon a healthy, actively-managed landscape,” they wrote. “However, the 30 by 30 initiative displays a dangerous thoughtlessness and far too many of our questions have been left unanswered.”