URGENT UPDATE: Steve Pearce, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), poses a significant threat to public lands as he advocates for their privatization. This crucial development challenges the commitment of Western senators to keep public lands accessible to all Americans.
Throughout his tenure as a New Mexico congressman, Pearce has consistently pushed for the liquidation of national public lands, co-sponsoring multiple bills aimed at selling off these vital resources. His nomination raises immediate concerns about the stewardship of 245 million acres of public land entrusted to the BLM.
In a revealing 2012 letter to House leadership, Pearce claimed the federal government owns “vast” land holdings that “most of (which) we do not even need,” advocating for a massive sell-off to reduce national debt. His vision starkly contrasts with conservation efforts, favoring liquidation over responsible management.
This situation echoes past controversies from the Trump administration when anti-public lands advocate William Perry Pendley was nominated to lead the BLM but faced backlash and ultimately did not receive a hearing. Pearce’s nomination, however, comes at a time when public lands are under intensified threat, with officials like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins viewing these lands primarily as assets for private profit through drilling, mining, and logging.
Pearce’s radical stance on public lands is further highlighted by recent events in the Senate. Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee attempted to attach a public land sale provision to a budget bill, proposing to sell off 2-3 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands. However, after facing widespread backlash from outdoor recreation groups and lawmakers, he quickly abandoned the effort, indicating that even moderate proposals to sell public land are considered extreme.
The newly formed Senate Stewardship Caucus, co-chaired by Tim Sheehy of Montana and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, pledges to advance bipartisan efforts to conserve national lands and waters. This caucus is now facing its first critical test with Pearce’s nomination. If its members fail to reject a nominee intent on selling off public lands, it risks undermining its mission of stewardship.
The stakes are high. The BLM’s mandate includes balancing energy production, grazing, recreation, and conservation, all grounded in scientific research and public input. If Pearce’s views prevail, the very foundation of this balance could collapse. Rural communities, dependent on healthy public lands for long-term economic stability, would face dire consequences. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts such as hunters and campers would lose access to the lands they cherish.
Pearce’s nomination acts as a referendum on Congress’s commitment to preserving public lands for future generations. The Senate Stewardship Caucus and every senator claiming to value the West’s outdoor heritage must act decisively against Pearce’s confirmation. America’s public lands represent a unique legacy that should not be liquidated for private gain.
As this urgent situation unfolds, public support and advocacy are crucial. Protecting public lands is not just about conservation—it’s about ensuring that these spaces remain accessible and intact for generations to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
