NE Wyoming News

Today, Representative Harriet Hageman introduced legislation aimed at repealing the SUSTAINS Act. The law currently allows non-governmental entities to have a say in USDA conservation programs and promotes the use of natural capital accounting to assess private land value.

Representative Hageman expressed concerns about the implications of the SUSTAINS Act under the Biden-Harris Administration. She stated, “As the Biden-Harris Administration continues to roll out the SUSTAINS Act, we must ensure it is not a means to advance the radical concept of natural capital accounting as applied to our private property rights.” Hageman supports voluntary conservation agreements with USDA but criticized the current system for giving too much power to external organizations.

She further explained, “The SUSTAINS Act, however, is a substantial departure from this system, empowering outside organizations or individuals to direct federal programs and prescribe the terms for their share of environmental service benefits developed on the land in which they invest.” According to her, this poses risks to private property rights and could be misused by some groups under the guise of climate change efforts.

Historically, Congress has allowed USDA to accept private funding alongside government spending for conservation initiatives. This approach was seen as fiscally responsible and expanded opportunities for Americans. However, Speaker Pelosi's support for natural capital strategies through the SUSTAINS Act shifted priorities towards climate change investments and ownership of environmental benefits derived from land use. The new bill seeks to revert these changes and protect property rights.

Contact: Chris Berardi, Sr. Advisor/Communications Director