Stevan Pearce was confirmed as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director this week in the Senate by a vote of 46 yea’s and 43 no’s. Pearce is a former New Mexico Congressman and Vietnam War Veteran serving as a C-130 pilot in the United States Air Force. Pearce also owned an oilfield services company up to 2003.
Many ag groups and elected officials praised the confirmation of the BLM Director including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), and Public Lands Council (PLC). All three industry groups have supported Director Pearce’s nomination from the beginning and pushed for his confirmation because ranchers need a permanent BLM Director to be able to efficiently do their jobs.
“Director Pearce is the right person to lead the BLM and increase partnerships with the ranchers that manage millions of acres of range and pastureland land. NCBA is proud to have supported Pearce’s nomination since the beginning of the process and we are excited to continue working with him to the benefit of cattle producers across the West.” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver.
“We are excited to welcome Steve Pearce as the new BLM Director and congratulate him on this appointment. We look forward to working with him in the months ahead.” said ASI President Ben Lehfeldt.
“Director Pearce has always been a strong advocate in upholding the multiple use mandate that guides federal land use policy and working closely with ranchers during his decades of public service. As BLM Director, he will be able to utilize his expertise to ensure ranchers are able to carry out the voluntary conservation work that is vital to maintaining America’s treasured natural resources. PLC and western livestock producers congratulate Director Pearce and stand ready to work with him to make much-needed changes to the BLM.” said PLC President and Colorado permittee Tim Canturbury.
Elected officials of western states such as Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) also weighed in on the confirmation.
“Former Congressman Steve Pearce is uniquely qualified to lead the Bureau of Land Management. He knows the importance of the agency’s multiple-use mandate and values local and state input on land management decisions. It is gratifying to see his confirmation to this vital role. I look forward to working with him on issues critical to Wyoming such as oil, gas, and coal leasing, sage-grouse, recreation, resource management plans, wild horse management, and grazing,” said Governor Gordon.
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis applauded the confirmation saying, “I am pleased that the U.S. Senate tonight confirmed my friend and former colleague Steve Pearce as Director of the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM oversees nearly 30 percent of Wyoming’s land, making its leadership deeply personal to our state and critical to the communities and economies across the West. Steve brings the experience and vision to honor that responsibility and will serve as an outstanding guardian of our lands. I look forward to working with Steve and his team in his new role.”
Pearce succeeds former BLM Director Tracy Stone Manning who served under the Biden Administration and takes over during a critical time of BLM announcements like the update to the Grazing Rule, the decision to rescind seven grazing allotments for American Prairie’s bison herd, and the repeal of the Biden-Era Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (aka Public Lands Rule).
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Northern Ag Network, NCBA, PLC, ASI, US Senator Lummis, Governor Gordon – 2026
