Rogers Co. Commissioners Push Back Against Biden Administration Plan Aimed At Conservation

Rogers County Commissioners are pushing back against President Biden's 30x30 plan aimed at conserving U.S. lands and waters.

The plan aims to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by the year 2030. Rogers County wasn't aware of this initiative until just a few weeks ago when concerned citizens brought the issue up as the county was working on its comprehensive plan for growth, transportation, and development. County commissioner for District 3, Ron Burrows, said that some citizens were concerned that some of the language of the comprehensive plan was similar to the language used in the federal government's 30x30 plan.

On April 17, the county commissioners passed a resolution opposing the designation and use of lands in Rogers County to be included as part of the Biden administration's program.

"A resolution is the strongest document that counties can use to be able to pass or prevent something from happening," Burrows said.

Burrows said that this plan would have a negative impact on Rogers County residents, and the commissioners are trying to protect Rogers County property owners' rights with this resolution.

"We are the same as our constituents. We live here, we raise our families here, and we own land whether you live in town or whether you are out on acreage. So it’s important to us. It’s important to us because we would not want that happening on our property, and so we fully understand what the concern is with the rest of the constituents in the county," Burrows said.

The board of commissioners said that any lands acquired by the federal government for the 30x30 program should only be acquired from willing sellers and landowners for full and fair market value.