UPDATE: The nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has ignited fierce debate among lawmakers and conservationists alike. Pearce, a former congressman from New Mexico, has a controversial history advocating for the liquidation of public lands, a stance that poses a significant threat to 245 million acres of national resources.
Concerns about Pearce’s nomination surfaced just days ago, as his previous efforts to privatize public lands raise alarm bells among environmental and outdoor recreation groups. “His vision for our public lands is not conservation—it’s liquidation,” critics argue, emphasizing that Pearce’s track record contradicts the BLM’s mission to balance energy, recreation, and conservation.
In a striking 2012 letter to House leadership, Pearce claimed that the federal government owns “vast” and unnecessary land holdings, advocating for a sell-off to reduce national debt. This radical perspective not only undermines public trust but also directly challenges the stewardship role of the BLM, charged with managing some of America’s most valuable natural resources.
As the Senate Stewardship Caucus—co-chaired by Tim Sheehy and Martin Heinrich—was launched last month to promote bipartisan conservation, Pearce’s nomination poses a critical test for its members. If the caucus fails to reject a nominee with such a divisive agenda, it risks appearing ineffective in its mission to protect public lands.
The stakes are high for rural communities that depend on healthy public lands for their economies and for recreational access. Recent backlash against similar proposals, such as Mike Lee’s attempt to sell off 2-3 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands in a budget bill, underscores the unpopularity of privatizing public assets. Lee’s amendment was swiftly abandoned following strong opposition from hunters, outdoor recreation advocates, and bipartisan lawmakers.
As resistance mounts against Pearce’s nomination, the urgency for senators to assert their commitment to public lands is palpable. The future of America’s public lands hangs in the balance, with implications for conservation, recreation, and community livelihoods across the West.
Pearce’s nomination could become a referendum on whether Congress believes our shared lands belong to all Americans. As officials continue to prioritize profit over stewardship, the call to action is clear: Senators must stand firm against the encroachment on public lands and reject a nominee whose agenda threatens the very fabric of America’s outdoor heritage.
The Senate is expected to address Pearce’s nomination in the coming weeks. Watch closely as this situation develops—public lands advocates are mobilizing to make their voices heard, and every senator’s vote will be crucial in determining the fate of these invaluable resources for future generations.
America’s legacy of public lands is at stake, and it is imperative that those who represent the West act decisively to protect it.
