Throughout November, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) hit the road, hosting five Area Meetings across the state to address pressing issues impacting rural Oklahoma. Billed as the “Conservation Conversations” the annual event featured local Conservation District Directors and Staff collaborating with state legislators on key “hot topics” straight from the Capitol.
The discussions were moderated by Clay Pope and Jean Lam, with the central panel featuring OACD President Ed Casey (a rancher and wind energy contract holder) and Trey Lam, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC).
Legislative Focus: Energy, Waste, and Water Wars
The core of the roadshow centered on legislative action concerning three rapidly developing areas of conflict in rural communities:
- Wind and Solar Energy Development: Discussions covered proposed legislation on setbacks for wind turbines, as well as complex issues surrounding solar projects.
- Biosolids Application: The sessions provided updates on potential biosolids moratoriums or phased-in application plans on agricultural land.
- Data Center Construction: Conservationists learned about the growing concerns regarding the massive water and power usage required by potential data centers.
Traveling the State: Legislators Address Local Concerns
The roadshow traced a path across Oklahoma, featuring legislators who have been central to authoring or negotiating bills on these topics.
The tour kicked off in Stillwater for Area II, where Senator Grant Green outlined his legislation from the last session, interim study information, and plans for the upcoming year. Sen. Green is notably involved in both wind energy and biosolids issues at the Capitol.
Moving east to Wilburton and Muskogee, Natural Resources Appropriations Chair Jim Grego (a former Latimer County CD Director and OCC Commissioner) spoke with attendees, sharing his perspective as both an elected official and a rancher. This region’s complexities regarding renewable energy development were further discussed by Senator Avery Frix and Representative Tim Turner. Rep. Turner detailed his specific work concerning a potential project around Lake Eufaula.
Farmers and ranchers in the western part of the state, west of I-35, have significantly more experience with energy development. At a full house in Watonga for Area I, Representative Mike Dobrinski and Senator Darcy Jech addressed the issues. Both legislators are well-versed, having authored bills on turbine setbacks and tower lighting, respectively.
The True North: Protecting Private Property Rights
The Conservation Road Show wrapped up its blitz in Clinton, where Representative Anthony Moore delivered a strong message advocating for the private property rights of landowners. Rep. Moore, recognized as the expert on landowner rights in contract negotiation with wind energy companies, summarized the overarching sentiment of the meetings.
In addition to the legislative panel, every Area received updates on critical conservation needs, including flood control dam repairs, the Terry Peach Project, Unpaved Road Erosion, Wetlands projects and cost-share, and the local District Innovation Growth (DIG) program recipients.
Representative Moore provided a powerful summation of the tour’s central theme:
“The area conservation meetings were a great time to gather and discuss issues that face all of landowners throughout the state. At the end of the day, regardless of our feelings on specific issues, the overarching theme of protecting private property rights is and should remain the number one concern of rural Oklahomans… making sure we can responsibly live and work on our land as we deem fit, without infringement, is our true north and remains our primary focus.”
