U.S. Senator Steve Daines questioned Steve Pearce, President Trump’s nominee for Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The discussion focused on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and forest management issues relevant to Montana.
Daines began by acknowledging Pearce’s previous legislative work related to natural resources, noting their shared experience in the House of Representatives. He highlighted the significance of LWCF in Montana, mentioning that 75% of fishing access sites in the state were funded through this program. Daines said, “First of all, I want to give a heartfelt thanks to each of you and your willingness to serve in these very important roles. I truly look forward to working with each one of you once you are confirmed. Assistant Secretary Haustveit, it’s great to have a Butte-grad here. As we say in Montana, it’s not Butte, Montana, it’s ‘Butte, America.’ To graduate from Montana Tech, it’s a great institution and pleased to have a little bit of that DNA here in Washington. Congressman Pearce, we previously served together in the House of Representatives when I was an incoming freshman in 2013. We served on behalf of two great western states: New Mexico and Montana. During the years that you served in the House, you sponsored a number of natural resources bills, including ones that sought to serve the interests of tribes, of ranchers, of recreationists. In fact, one of those bills was the Making Public Lands Public Act, which directed a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund for increasing public access for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. In fact, in Montana, where we are famous for a lot of things but the movie ‘A River Runs Through It,’ where Brad Pitt suddenly discovered fly fishing and ruined it for the rest of us. 75% of our fishing access where I’ve had fly rod since I was 11 years old from my Grandpa Daines as a kid growing up in Montana. Seventy-five percent of our fishing access sites were funded by LWCF. We have access to these amazing rivers and streams because of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and it’s been successfully used to unlock access to public lands that prior were inaccessible due to checkerboard land ownership. Under President Trump we permanently authorized and funded LWCF in that very bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act that many said was the greatest conservation win in 50 years. My question Congressman Pearce if confirmed will you continue your support for expanding hunting fishing and recreation access on BLM lands through the LWCF program?”
Pearce responded: “Absolutely Senator.”
Daines then turned attention toward forest management challenges facing BLM lands in Montana and neighboring states: “Congressman Pearce we also had a great conversation about the need for forest management when you stopped by my office and the need for reforms as it relates to forest management. BLM manages 1.3 million acres of forestland in Montana and the Dakotas Yet simple projects get bogged down in red tape and sadly endless litigation However we are making progress in helping to remedy that I’ve got a bill that will fix that 9th Circuit Court Cottonwood decision It has passed this committee by voice so we have really strong bipartisan support for us and it’s included in the Fix Our Forests Act Congressman Pearce do you agree that we need to increase the pace and scale of forest management on BLM lands and pass reforms like Cottonwood fix Root Stem Act as well as Fix our Forest Act?”
Pearce replied: “Absolutely Senator.”
Daines elaborated on benefits observed from improved thinning practices: “We’ve watched some remarkable outcomes from proper thinning in our forests These trees are a bunch straws ground they’re pulling water out thin them out trees remaining grow lot faster Suddenly see springs never knew existed refurbished It’s quite remarkable what happens ecosystem when do proper forest management wildlife habitat not mention reducing risk catastrophic wildfire And way jobs loggers sawmills well which also endangered species now Montana When kid growing up had 30 active sawmills We’re down just handful because loss access This has become increasingly very bipartisan issue Fire knows no boundaries as know I have few more questions but will submit those record”
According to his official website, Daines grew up as a fifth-generation Montanan attending public schools in Bozeman before earning his Bachelor’s degree at Montana State University (source). He is affiliated with representing Montana in the U.S Senate (source) where he engages with constituents through assistance programs as well as committee work (source).
