CVNM Issues Statement in Response to Public Lands Rule Rollback and Steve Pearce Confirmation Vote
CVNM urges all leaders at all levels of office to prioritize the protection of our lands, waters, and communities in the wake of unprecedented attacks on public lands
On Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) formally cancelled the 2024 “Public Lands Rule”, which required BLM to consider conservation and development equally in land decisions. The rule, formally known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, provided guidance to ensure that land protection was considered alongside mining, timber, and grazing. It also enabled BLM to issue leases specifically for conservation.
This action also dovetailed with a Monday procedural vote in the U.S. Senate to advance former congressman Steve Pearce’s nomination to lead BLM. Pearce has been an outspoken advocate for selling off public lands and investing in polluter projects. In response, CVNM Legislative Director Zoe Barker issued the following statement:
“The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) decision to cancel the Public Lands Rule is the latest in a series of attacks on the public trust, once again placing polluter and corporate profits over the wellbeing of our communities and people. The Public Lands Rule was one that was steeped in common sense and science, ensuring that we balance land use in ways that protect it for future generations. This decision will directly harm southwestern states like New Mexico, who depend heavily on our parks and lands for ecotourism revenue and outdoor recreation.
An overwhelming majority of voters in New Mexico are firm in their love of public lands. From devastating federal budget cuts to Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service, the actions of this Administration are grossly out of step with this reality. It is also not lost on us that this decision fell on the same day that Congress voted to advance the confirmation of anti-public lands advocate Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Pearce’s long and consistent record of supporting polluters over public lands and our people speaks for itself: he is the wrong choice to lead BLM, especially at a time when BLM is setting new precedents for dangerous and reckless decisions. We join our allies in condemning the rollback of the Public Lands Rule and confirmation of Steve Pearce, and urge all leaders at all levels of office to prioritize the protection of our lands, waters, and communities.”
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CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, water, wildlife and communities for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.