Nominee for the Bureau of Land Management, Steve Pearce, assured U.S. senators that he and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are not in favor of a large-scale sale of federal lands. Pearce, a Republican and former U.S. House Representative from New Mexico, appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to discuss his qualifications. The BLM, overseeing 245 million acres and 700 million acres of subsurface minerals, plays a critical role in federal land management.
Previously led by Tracy Stone-Manning under the Biden administration after a tight Senate vote in 2021, the BLM might soon have Pearce at the helm. Pearce’s nomination has sparked criticism from conservation groups wary of his intentions for public lands, given the agency’s balancing act between recreational, cultural, and commercial land use. His past ownership of an oil and gas company adds to concerns from conservationists and Democratic lawmakers.
In the Senate hearing, Pearce articulated a vision for conserving and preserving lands, reflecting on personal experiences from his upbringing and military service. He critiqued the federal government’s land management approach as being too detached from local communities. Environmental groups swiftly raised alarms following his nomination by President Donald Trump, citing a 2012 letter advocating for the sale of federal lands to reduce the deficit.
Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico inquired about Pearce’s stance on selling federal lands, a concern echoed by both parties during the hearing. Pearce reiterated that neither he nor Secretary Burgum supports large-scale land sales but would consider isolated parcels for potential sale.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden questioned Pearce on his views regarding public land ownership in the West. Pearce explained his prior remarks as frustration rather than a call for widespread land sales, which are limited by federal law. Montana Senator Steve Daines queried Pearce on his support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which Pearce endorsed for enhancing access to BLM-managed areas.
While Pearce agreed with active forest management for BLM forested lands, emphasizing thinning over clear-cutting, Wild Montana expressed skepticism about his priorities. In a statement, they doubted the safety of public lands under Pearce’s leadership, citing his past privatization efforts. The committee has not yet voted on his nomination, awaiting a Senate majority approval.
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