Deb Haaland, a candidate for governor in New Mexico and former Secretary of the Interior, has issued a statement following the nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Haaland previously oversaw the BLM during her tenure as Secretary.
In her statement, Haaland expressed concerns about Pearce's record on public lands and environmental stewardship. She said: “Steve Pearce is a dangerous choice to lead the Bureau of Land Management. In New Mexico we value our lands and waters, and we need a manager who would be a good steward. Steve Pearce however, has a record of threatening New Mexico’s public lands, putting profits over people, and neglecting the needs of our state. He routinely sides with billion dollar companies that exploit our people, destroy our landscapes, and pollute our water and land. Pearce also refuses to acknowledge the valuable jobs and cost savings that clean energy creates. He needlessly cut resources for wildfire management and climate resilience. He is the wrong choice to serve in this role.”
Pearce's nomination comes at a time when land management policies remain an important issue for New Mexico residents.
