Gallego Questions Trump’s BLM Nominee on Grand Canyon, Building Housing on Public Lands

WASHINGTON – Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned Trump administration nominees to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Steve Pearce, on the administration’s plans to roll back protections for the Grand Canyon National Monument and build housing on federal lands.

Gallego began his questioning by asking Pearce whether he supports the administration’s reported plans to roll back protections for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

“We are lucky to have such a beautiful state, the most beautiful in the country. Within this land we have national monuments that highlight the beauty and culture of the state. One of the ones we always talk about is the Grand Canyon, the footprints of such,” said Senator Gallego. “I would like to know if you have plans to roll back protections for the Grand Canyon.”

Senator Gallego then asked the nominee how he would ensure the administration’s plans to build housing on public lands do not benefit billionaires at the expense of local communities and veterans. Following the administration’s announcement of a federal initiative to explore housing development on public lands, Gallego wrote to cabinet officials urging transparency, community engagement, and safeguards to protect public access.

“The administration announced housing on federal lands with little detail. Done smartly, especially for rural Arizona, this can be very good to help the cost. After the announcement I asked the President for details because I wanted to make sure we don’t have the best lands given away to the richest men and women, […] and we stop our communities from being able to access land that is important for fishing, hunting, and camping. […] I want to make sure anything going forward is thoughtful and is actually accessible to working-class people,” Senator Gallego continued. “As a veteran, many of us use public lands as a public therapy. It’s great way to destress and think about what’s going on in our lives. […] BLM land is often the front yard for rural veteran communities.”  

“It’s important that the BLM land closest to the cities is not sold off as potential trophy homes to billionaires. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Senator Gallego concluded.