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Vilsack: Claims that America the Beautiful is a ‘land grab’ are ‘nonsense’

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has responded to claims that call the “America the Beautiful” initiative a “land grab” and “overreach” from the federal government “nonsense.”  

Vilsack told the Omaha World Herald if people would read the report that outlines President Biden’s plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s land and waters by 2030, they would know.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has been hosting a series of town halls pushing back on the administration’s initiative, claiming it threatens private property rights. 

During a recent interview with Brownfield, Ricketts said, “Even if it’s not a direct confiscation, if you’re talking about things such permanent conservation easements, you essentially lose control of your land. You don’t have all of the private property rights you had before, and you don’t have them, and you don’t get them back again.  That’s why we’re saying this is a land grab.”

Vilsack says the federal initiative is based on voluntary efforts at local levels through existing programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).