In recent months there has been increasing backlash coming from several counties across the state in response to the 30×30 executive order to protect 30% of New Mexico’s land, water, and natural heritage by 2030 that was issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last summer. A group calling themselves American Stewards for Liberty (ASL) has been giving presentations in these counties calling 30×30 a government land grab, and spreading other misinformation about what this campaign does.
The 30×30 initiative is an effort to protect New Mexico’s lands, watersheds, wildlife, and natural heritage from the impacts of climate change – heat domes, super wildfires, floods, and steadily declining river flow. It benefits all New Mexicans, and is a critical step to stem the loss of New Mexico’s natural areas and wildlife, while ensuring everybody has access to nature’s benefits.
CVNM is requesting that Sandoval County share with the public whether or not the County Commission used taxpayer dollars to contract with ASL, and we need your support!
ASL is based in Georgetown, Texas. It is listed as a non-profit organization, but according to documents uncovered in an inspection of public records request in 2019, the organization received about two-thirds of its funding from consulting services with the counties that then passed anti-30×30 resolutions. For example, Chaves County paid the group $185,000 for consultation services between 2016 and 2021.
The Sandoval County Commission this year has passed two resolutions that support the efforts of ASL: Resolution No. 2-23-22 10A and Resolution No. 2-23-10B.
We find it deeply disturbing that any county in New Mexico would use taxpayer dollars to pay a Texas-based organization for such purposes, especially when our communities are just now starting to rebound from the COVID 19 pandemic and address ongoing economic and social challenges.
The eventual 30×30 framework – which will be developed with full and effective participation by farmers and ranchers, tribes and Pueblos, and other stakeholders – will be a uniquely New Mexican program that would help Sandoval county build out its outdoor recreation economy in order to diversify in the transition to a clean energy future.
Please sign our letter by midnight on September 9th asking Sandoval County to answer our questions and let them know you oppose using citizens’ taxpayer money to fund out-of-state interests for their own personal gain. >>
Thank you for supporting transparency within our government agencies and New Mexico’s public lands campaign,
Greg Peters
CVNM Senior Advocate for Land, Water & Wildlife
Act Now!
Please sign our letter by midnight on September 9th asking Sandoval County to answer our questions and let them know you oppose using citizens’ taxpayer money to fund out-of-state interests for their own personal gain.