blm.gov

William Perry Pendley.

The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for more than 12 million acres in Arizona. But the agency has not had a director since President Trump took office. Now, Arizona conservation groups are speaking out against the president’s nominee. 

William Perry Pendley has been acting head of the BLM since 2019 but President Trump only formally nominated Pendley to the role last month. Pendley previously headed a legal firm that sued the federal government in 2012 over a ban on mining near the Grand Canyon. Pendley also has written about his views that all federal land should be sold off.

The BLM maintains land for multiple uses including mining, grazing, recreation and conservation. But Michael Cravens, conservation coordinator with the Arizona Wildlife Federation, said Pendley disregards the agency's conservation responsibilities.

“Just in this past year as acting director, he’s offered up more oil and gas leases than any previous administration before him," Cravens said. “What has been missing from his overarching management is any practical conservation measures or protection measures.”

The BLM has said Pendley would recuse himself from work with more than 50 groups over potential conflicts of interest. Pendley is awaiting Senate confirmation.

→ The Controversial Tenure Of Acting BLM Director William Perry Pendley