1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the confirmation of Steve Pearce as Director of the Bureau of Land Management. His record and financial ties make him fundamentally unsuited to manage the 245 million acres of public lands that belong to all Americans. Pearce co-founded a drilling company with his wife, creating a direct financial interest in the very industry he would be tasked with regulating. Throughout his tenure as a New Mexico congressman, he consistently prioritized oil and gas profits over land conservation. He co-sponsored legislation to accelerate the disposal of federal land and worked to weaken the Antiquities Act, which protects scientifically and historically important resources. He has openly criticized forest and national park preservation, stating that over 90 percent of federal land is located in western states and most of it we do not even need. His legislative record demonstrates a pattern of undermining protections. Pearce advocated for reducing the number and size of national monuments, supported legislation to weaken the Endangered Species Act, and pushed to fast-track approvals for oil and gas leases on public lands. This approach contradicts the BLM's core mission to balance resource development with conservation for future generations. The Bureau of Land Management requires a director who will serve the public interest, not someone with documented conflicts of interest and a history of advocating for privatization. Pearce's own words and actions reveal his belief that our public lands are expendable assets rather than irreplaceable resources that provide recreation, wildlife habitat, clean water, and economic benefits to communities across the country. I ask you to vote against Steve Pearce's confirmation and to support a nominee who will faithfully steward our public lands for all Americans, not just extractive industries.