Big Sky Times

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a plan to establish a 5.8 million-acre conservation area in Southwest Montana, covering 9,000 square miles. This area includes both government-owned and private land, with the goal of connecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Crown of the Continent in central Montana, and central Idaho. However, this plan has raised concerns about private property rights and the authority of government agencies.

Margaret Byfield, Executive Director of American Stewards of Liberty, expressed her opinion on the matter, stating, "The Biden Administration has strategically drawn a circle around 5.8 million acres in Montana to create a 30x30 Conservation Area that contains over 2 million acres of private property. This has been done by administrative fiat. Congress needs to regain authority over these agencies, as our Constitution requires, and defund this action."

According to American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), the plan aims to acquire 250,000 acres of private land through "voluntary" conservation easements, using federal funds to do so. ASL argues that this could lead to more federal control over private lands and limit property rights.

Additionally, if the conservation area is established, it could qualify as a "Hybrid Area" for creating a "Natural Asset Company" (NAC). This would allow international investors and countries to buy interests in the area, separate from landowners, potentially benefiting from financial gains. A Hybrid Area is characterized as a "conservation area," according to the Intrinsic Exchange Group's (IEG) website, and represents an interconnected ecosystem comprising government-owned lands, private properties, and sustainable communities.

ASL further highlights that conservation areas are created administratively, without a vote in Congress or direct input from affected communities. This approach raises concerns about economic consequences for local governments, particularly due to reduced property tax revenue. The Service has partnered with environmental groups and set a limited window for public comments and official positions. The plan's environmental study remains undisclosed, but it may not be as robust as an Environmental Impact Statement used in other cases to prevent certain activities.

It is noted by ASL that this plan may hinder mineral exploration and development in the Missouri Headwaters region, which is rich in minerals. This aligns with the Biden Administration's efforts to restrict mineral development across the country.

While the conservation area is promoted as preserving wildlife corridors and ecosystems, ASL cautions that these areas grant the administrative state significant power in designating and managing areas, potentially at the expense of private landowners and local communities.

As the proposal moves forward, the debate over private property rights, government authority, and the environmental impact of such conservation initiatives will likely continue.