The nomination of Steve Pearce by President Donald Trump to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has raised significant concerns regarding the future of public lands in the United States. Throughout his political career, Pearce has advocated for the privatization of public lands, prompting questions about whether Western senators will genuinely prioritize keeping these lands in public hands.
As a former congressman from New Mexico, Pearce co-sponsored numerous bills aimed at disposing of national public lands. His efforts to liquidate these assets could undermine the stewardship of the BLM, which manages approximately 245 million acres for current and future generations. In a letter penned in 2012 to House leadership, Pearce asserted that the federal government owns “vast” land holdings, many of which he claimed were unnecessary. He called for a substantial sell-off of these lands to help address the national debt, indicating a clear intent to prioritize liquidation over conservation.
Pearce’s nomination follows a troubling pattern established during Trump’s first term, which included the nomination of William Perry Pendley, a figure known for his anti-public lands stance. Pendley ultimately did not receive a hearing after his controversial record was exposed, but his influence persisted through his involvement in the Project 2025 blueprint for a potential second Trump administration. Pearce’s record, which includes over a decade of efforts to weaken wildlife protections and promote public land sales, raises alarms about his suitability for leading an agency charged with protecting these vital resources.
In recent months, the Trump administration has elevated officials such as Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior, and Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, both of whom view public lands as assets to be exploited through resource extraction. Pearce’s potential leadership could further this agenda, potentially paving the way for the sale of public lands to corporations and luxury developers.
The public response to proposed land sales has been overwhelmingly negative. This spring, Mike Lee, a Republican senator from Utah, attempted to include a provision in a budget bill that would have mandated the sale of 2-3 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands. This proposal faced immediate opposition from hunters, outdoor recreation advocates, and Western lawmakers, leading Lee to abandon his efforts. If the Senate deemed Lee’s proposal too radical, it should logically reject Pearce’s nomination, which poses an even greater threat to public lands.
The establishment of the Senate Stewardship Caucus, co-chaired by Tim Sheehy of Montana and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, aims to promote bipartisan efforts focused on conserving the nation’s lands and waters through science-based policy. This caucus has garnered support from various hunting, outdoor recreation, and conservation organizations, marking a potential turning point in the fight for public land preservation.
Pearce’s nomination serves as a crucial test for the Senate Stewardship Caucus. If its members fail to oppose a nominee with a long history of advocating for the sale of public lands and dismantling protective laws, their commitment to genuine stewardship may be called into question. The BLM’s mandate requires a balanced approach to managing energy, grazing, recreation, and conservation, all grounded in scientific principles and public input. Should Pearce take the helm, this mission could unravel, as he has expressed intentions to “reverse the trend of public ownership” of the lands he would oversee.
The implications of this nomination extend beyond policy. Rural communities rely on the economic benefits provided by healthy public lands, while outdoor enthusiasts depend on access to these areas for recreation. Pearce’s nomination presents a broader referendum on the values Congress holds regarding shared lands, which are meant to belong to all Americans.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate on Pearce’s nomination, it is crucial for the Stewardship Caucus and all senators concerned with the West’s outdoor heritage to take a stand. America’s public lands are not merely assets to be sold off; they represent a unique legacy that must be preserved for future generations. Rejecting Pearce’s nomination would signal a commitment to protecting these invaluable resources.
