Trump nominates ex-New Mexico lawmaker to oversee public lands

President names Steve Pearce to lead agency that manages a quarter-billion acres, about 10% of land in USDonald Trump nominated a former lawmaker from New Mexico on Wednesday to oversee the management of vast public lands that are playing a central role in Republican attempts to ramp up fossil fuel production.The nominee for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), former representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico, must be confirmed by the Senate. The agency manages a quarter-billion acres – about 10% of land in the US. It’s also responsible for 700m acres of underground minerals, including major reserves of oil, natural gas and coal. Continue reading...