"False Choice" - How Sustainable Development is Transforming Property Rights *NEW!*

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Participation in Agenda 21

In this October 2, 1992 session, the House of Representatives passed HC 353, a resolution calling for the U.S. to assume a strong leadership role in implementing the sustainable development recommendations of the Rio Earth Summit including Agenda 21.  Hear sponsors E. Engel (D-NY), N. Pelosi (D-CA) and W. Bloomfield (R-MI) between the time marks of 11:43:30 and 11:51:48.

EPA Locks up 61% of WA State Farmland

How Agenda 21 Affects Your Property Rights:

Explanation of The Wildlands Project:

Downloadable Documents

(Scroll down to see the categories below)

1. Understanding Agenda 21/Sustainable Development
2. Tracing the History of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development
3. Legislation Addressing the Threat of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development
4. Taking Action to Expose Agenda 21/Sustainable Development
5. Examples of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development's Impact on Property Rights
6. Sources for Further Information

1.  Understanding Agenda 21/Sustainable Development

A Sustainable Development Q&A

(This simplified Q&A answers basic questions about how a seemingly good idea like sustainable development can be bad for private property owners.)

Unraveling the "Sustainability" Paradox

(This single sheet makes the step by step connection between UN Agenda 21, sustainable development, Smart Growth and local planning activities. It includes sources so you can do your own checking.)

The "Sustainability" Solution

(Citizens can present the following two page document to their public officials. It contains suggestions for how to protect the rights of property owners and still keep the environment safe.)

Example of How Conservation Easements can be Detrimental to Property Owners

(While conservation easements are widely praised as a way to save the environment and keep property rights, in fact, in the long term they often do neither. The article, "Big Meadows, Big Mistake" tells the "rest of the story" on Conservation Easements.)

7 Facts You Should Know About Conservation Easements

(These are facts you need to know before entering into a Conservation Easement Agreement.)

The Hazards of Conservation Easements

(Here are more details about the pitfalls of Conservation Easements.)

2.  Tracing the History of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development

The UN Conference on Human Settlements - 1976

(This conference created the baseline for the UN's viewpoint and future actions regarding individual property rights.  See pdf page 2 [document page 28] under, Land - Preamble, for their stance on private property.  This position is reflected in policies being enacted across the U.S. today.)

Excerpt from The Brundtland Commission Report: "Our Common Future" Defining Sustainable Development

This definition easily identifies UN Agenda 21 related initiatives as it traversed from various reports to the U.S and into our federal agencies.  The full report can be found here. 

The United Nations Rio Declaration from Agenda 21

(The Rio Declaration outlines the framework of Agenda 21. It was agreed to by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, thereby establishing official recognition of Agenda 21 by the U.S..  The complete 40 chapter United Nation's Agenda 21 report can be found here.)

Executive Order 12852

(President Clinton signed Executive Order 12852 in 1993, which created the President's Council on Sustainable Development. Here is a copy of that Executive Order.)

Institutional Aspects of Sustainable Development in the United States of America

(This UN document shows that the President's Council on Sustainable Development was created for the purpose of implementing Agenda 21 in the U.S..)

Sustainable Development Challenge Grant Program - Federal Register

(These pages from the Federal Register clearly indicate that the EPA's Challenge Grant Program were for the purpose of  implementing Agenda 21 in the U.S..  See the highlighted section on page 2.)

EPA: The Path Forward

(This scientific document shows, under the highlighted section,s how the EPA today follows the basic definitions of sustainable development as defined by the UN's Brundtland Commission, in their newest decision making process.)

The Millennium Papers

(This article in the Millennium Papers describes how the name Agenda 21 was replaced with terms such as Smart Growth, Growth Management and Comprehensive Planning to prevent Americans from recognizing the connection to the United Nations. See highlighted page 5.)

3.  Legislation Addressing the Threat of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development

RNC Resolution Exposing United Nations Agenda 21 - January 13, 2012

(In January, 2012, the Republican National Committee unanimously approved an historic resolution exposing the dangers of United Nations Agenda 21, ICLEI and the loss of private property ownership, single family homes, private car ownership, individual travel choices and privately owned farms under the banner of "sustainable development" and Smart Growth.

For the first time, the leadership of one of the two major American political parties acknowledged that so-called "social justice" is robbing our society and the environment and replacing our sovereignty with a socialist/communist wealth redistridution scheme. Please read this document carefully and share it freely.)

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 303

(This bill enables the repeal of local comprehensive plans found to tamper with individual's property rights.)

New Hampshire Bill 1634

(New Hampshire's bill prevent the state, counties, cities and towns from contracting with or accepting money from ICLEI, a large non-governmental orgnaization[NGO] implementing Agenda 21 throughout the U.S.)

New Hampshire Bill 514

(This bill prevents federal agents from inspecting or gathering information on private property wtihout a warrant.)

Tennessee Bill HJR 587

(This bill rejects the radical policies promoted by United Nation's Agenda 21 and rejects any grant monies attached to the UN's program.)

Bonner County, ID Property Rights Council

(The Property Rights Council provides a committee to review planning documents and agreements prior to acceptance to assure that property owner's rights are not exploited by planners or governmental agencies.  For further information, go here.)

Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2012 (S.2122)

(The EPA, under the Clean Water Act, expanded its control over citizen's private property by redefining navigable waters to include certain artificially irrigated areas, artificial lakes and ponds used for irrigation, non-navigable tributaries to navigable waters, wetlands abutting relatively permanent waters and more.  This bill defines "navigable" waters as those that are actually "navigable.")

Alabama Protects Private Property Rights from Agenda 21 Intrusions (SB477)

(This bill prohibits Alabama and its political subdivisions from adopting environmental and developmental policies that, without due process, infringe or restrirct private property rights of property owners.  Further, it prohibits policies that are traceable to "Agenda 21" as adopted by the United Nations in 1992 at its Conference on Environment and Development.

4.  Taking Action to Expose Agenda 21/Sustainable Development

What You Can do to Stop Sustainable Development - Agenda 21

(This handout provides information and links that will help you get active in stoppng Agenda 21/Sustainable Development in your community.)

The Coordination Strategy

(The Coordination Strategy can slow or stop planning processes that may endanger individual property rights. Most federal agencies are required by law to coordinate their plans that will impact the local community with local governments. Often this does not happen as most local governmens are not aware of this requirement, or do not know how to implement the process.  When local governments assert coordination authority, the federal agencies must respond.)

APA's Agenda 21: Myths and Facts Revisited

(Recently, the American Planning Association circulated a fact sheet titled, Agenda 21: Myths and Facts. The APA is a large and highly respected planning organization, that often does exemplary work. But their "fact" sheet is rife with distortions, misconceptions and inaccuracies. This document provides information to respond to the APA's errors.)

APA's Glossary for the Public

(The American Planning Association, rather than address critics' concerns for private property rights, chose to re-brand their information by creating a new vocabulary.  This transparent attempt to confuse the public while making it easier to implement their own chosen plans sidesteps citizens' genuine concern for individual rights.)

5.  Examples of Agenda 21/Sustainable Development's Impact on Property Rights

Form-Based Code is the Problem, Not the Solution

(Form-based codes are a programmed method for replacing existing zoning regulations with boilerplate zoning and development code models.  They make it easier to implement Agenda 21 type plan enforcement.  Form-based codes often replace the need for local zoning ordinances and reduce the role of public officials.  Once installed, form-based codes become the new laws governing a wide range of activities in your community.)

Form Based Code Planning Guide

Here is the introduction to a book describing form-based codes. When promoting this method of codification, promoters often show audiences live PowerPoint presentations of their current community followed by dazzling pictures of what their town can become.  Most citizens are so impressed with the stunning design work, they overlook the draconian regulations and potential loss of rights that accompany the plans. Notice the fifth paragraph on page 14 in which Peter Katz, Pres. of the Form-Based Codes Institute, describes how to use the "charette" process to manipulate public responses.

6.  Sources for Further Information

America Don't Forget

American Policy Center

American Stewards

CO2 Science

Conservative Society for Action

Democrats Against UN Agenda 21

Freedom Advocates

Sovereignty International

Taking Liberty

The Consequences of Sustainable Development - A Presentation by Tom DeWeese and Michael Shaw: