Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis said on May 18 that she welcomed the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
The leadership change is significant for Wyoming and other western states, as the Bureau of Land Management oversees a large portion of public lands critical to local communities and economies. Nearly 30 percent of Wyoming’s land falls under BLM management.
“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,” said Lummis. “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.”
Lummis has longstanding ties to western land issues, having grown up on a cattle ranch in Laramie County, operated family ranches with her siblings, earned degrees in animal science, biology, and law from the University of Wyoming, championed responsible federal budgeting, multiple-use public lands policies, and energy resources for Wyoming according to the official website. She has also dedicated years to public service in both chambers of the Wyoming legislature, served as state treasurer, supported roles for governor-appointed offices related to state lands, and represented Wyoming in Congress according to information from her official website.
Pearce’s appointment is expected by supporters like Lummis to bring experience relevant for managing federal lands across western states.
