As controversy brews over the nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a chorus of voices from western leaders and conservationists is calling for the Senate to block his confirmation. The nomination by President Donald Trump has sparked concern due to Pearce’s history with public land policies.
This month, President Trump put forward Steve Pearce, a former Republican congressman from New Mexico and businessman in the oil sector, as his choice to manage over 245 million acres of BLM lands, predominantly located in the western United States. Included in this vast portfolio are 12 million acres in Arizona, which feature notable sites like the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and several national monuments.
Criticism of Pearce centers on his legislative track record, which some argue could lead to the sale of public lands and a push for increased energy extraction on federally managed territories. According to Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, “These lands are Indigenous lands and help to protect the rich history and future of Native people in our state, which is why they should be protected and co-stewarded with tribes, not sold off as Steve Pearce advocates.”
Concerns are also rising from leaders in states like Colorado, New Mexico, and California, who argue that Pearce’s leadership could jeopardize the economies that rely on public lands. A diverse group of organizations from Arizona—including conservation, faith, recreation, and wildlife groups—have united to send a letter to Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, urging them to oppose Pearce’s nomination.
Former Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber expressed similar sentiments, saying, “Public lands are integral to the identity, culture and economy of Santa Fe and New Mexico. Steve Pearce’s record on this issue tells you all you need to know: His confirmation is contrary to the agency’s core mission and would endanger New Mexico’s vibrant outdoor heritage. This appointment doesn’t serve public lands and doesn’t serve our outdoor way of life.”
Pearce’s nomination is not without precedent; he was previously nominated by Trump last year, only to be rejected by the U.S. Senate following pushback from environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers, as reported by Politico. A White House spokesperson commented to Inside Climate News at the time, stating, “President Trump was elected with an overwhelming mandate to ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ and unleash America’s energy potential. It’s totally logical that his nominees would align with the agenda the president was elected to implement and have a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.”
Meanwhile, Pearce has found support among livestock industry groups. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council issued a joint statement backing him, highlighting that Pearce “understands the important role that public lands play across the West… Pearce’s experience makes him thoroughly qualified to lead the BLM and tackle the issues federal lands ranchers are facing.”
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