Private property is the cornerstone of America's prosperity and freedom, embodying the very essence of individual rights and personal liberty. This principle, deeply rooted in the foundation of the United States, is crucial to ensuring that citizens maintain control over their lives and livelihoods. John Adams, one of our nation's Founding Fathers, wisely stated, “Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.” This profound insight underscores the intrinsic link between property rights and the broader concept of liberty itself. Without secure ownership of property, the freedoms that define our nation would be compromised, as individuals would lack the independence and security necessary to pursue their own paths.

The Cavalry Group exists to protect this fundamental ideal, advocating fiercely for the rights of property owners across America. By defending these rights against the encroachments of government overreach and ideological extremism, The Cavalry Group upholds this vision of freedom and liberty where property owners are empowered to thrive without undue interference. This mission is not just about preserving land or assets; it's about safeguarding the very liberties that define us as a nation.

Today, those liberties are once again under severe threat by a new federal law that was passed under the radar known as the Sustains Act (H.R. 2606).  The Cavalry Group first learned about the Sustains Act while  in Washington, D.C. lobbying for our members interests in June this year.

Under the banner of combating “climate change” the U.S. federal government has been busy seeking ways for Americans to fulfill the United Nation’s (UN) “sustainability” goals to reduce America’s carbon footprint following the UN mandate for 90% of U.S. energy to be derived from renewable sources by 2050, the SUSTAINS Act was introduced in Congress in 2022 and quietly fast-tracked and signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

As if Congress and USDA acting beholden to the United Nations isn’t concerning enough, this law now grants the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the authority to accept private, nonfederal funds, also known as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), to support a wide range of programs claiming to solve issues related to “conservation”  all under the urgent manufactured crisis of “climate change.”

The SUSTAINS Act gives authority to establish “Public-Private Partnerships Contributions Accounts to accept contributions of non-federal funds for the natural resource “priorities” of USDA’s NRCS identified by the Secretary” as his sole discretion.  

While this may sound beneficial on the surface, the SUSTAINS Act poses significant risks, particularly to rural America, farmers, ranchers, and private property owners. By enabling the USDA to accept and match private contributions, the Act opens the door for wealthy individuals, deep-pocketed corporations and radical special interest groups (environmental and animal rights extremists) to exert undue influence over the implementation of federal so-called "conservation" and regulatory programs.

Notably, the SUSTAINS Act allows these funds to be directed toward specific initiatives, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and other programs focused on “climate change, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat improvement, and the protection of drinking water sources.”

The Cavalry Group is extremely concerned that the SUSTAINS Act will lead to policies and initiatives that will govern rural communities, potentially prioritizing environmental agendas over agricultural productivity and property rights, and used as a tool to usurp land and private property.

The USDA announced last week that they are currently seeking public input and comments on how best to direct the private contributions to implement the Sustains Act, and this is an important opportunity to make your voice heard.

It is crucial for those who value the rights of rural landowners and the principles of private property to voice their opposition to the SUSTAINS Act. Your feedback is vital in ensuring that the implementation of the SUSTAINS Act does not jeopardize the livelihoods of rural Americans or the integrity of our nation’s agricultural and conservation (climate change) policies.

We urge you to submit your comments to the Request for Information portal      via the Federal Register by Sept. 16, 2024 at this LINK.

The following are some sample comments for your use:

1: I strongly oppose the implementation of the SUSTAINS Act, particularly the provision that allows the USDA to accept private donations from individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to fund federal conservation (aka: climate change) programs. This framework paves the way for undue influence from private entities with specific agendas, which could overshadow the needs and priorities of rural communities, farmers, and ranchers who are the backbone of American agriculture. Federal climate change programs masquerading as "conservation programs" should remain impartial and not be swayed by the financial contributions of those with the means to steer policy in their favor. Allowing such donations could result in policies that are not in the best interest of those who rely on the land for their livelihood.

2: The SUSTAINS Act's authorization for the USDA to accept private funds is deeply concerning, as it opens the door for special interests to fund federal climate change programs masquerading as "conservation" programs efforts at the risk of usurping land owner’s private property.

3: I am opposed to the SUSTAINS Act's provisions that allow for public-private partnerships to fund federal climate change programs masquerading as "conservation." The acceptance of private donations by the USDA, as authorized under this Act, sets a dangerous precedent for the privatization of public policy. True conservation programs should be guided by sound science, not by the financial contributions of individuals or NGOs with specific ideological or environmental agendas.

4: The SUSTAINS Act's framework for accepting private funds through public-private partnerships makes me very concerned that the SUSTAINS ACT will lead to a lack of transparency and accountability in how USDA and NRCS efforts are prioritized and implemented, ultimately harming the very people these programs are supposed to help—our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners.

5: I urge the USDA to reconsider the implementation of the SUSTAINS Act, particularly, its provisions allowing for private donations and public-private partnerships. The potential for private funds to dictate climate change policies masquerading as "conservation" priorities could result in policies that do not align with the needs of rural America, jeopardizing the livelihoods of those who grow and raise our food, fiber, and fuel.