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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 14h

Thank you to Western local elected officials Sean Smith, Patrice Horstman, and Devon Reese for saying that public lands are not for political gain. These amazing spaces need to be protected, not risked as pawns in a political game. Read the full report: bit.ly/publiclands2026!

Local leaders assert: Public lands are not for political gain, in our new report. The Mountain Pact.

Sean Smith, Mayor, Covington, Washington: “Here in Covington, we’re proud to live next door to the type of public lands that embody the best of America’s natural heritage. Public lands fuel our regional economy, provide it with clean water and wildlife habitat, and offer unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. As someone who has served in both the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of strong, effective land management. We need smart stewardship—not political games that threaten what makes this region such a great place to live, work, and play.”

Patrice Horstman, Board of supervisors chair, Coconino County, Arizona: “Coconino County is home to five national forests, five national monuments, including our state’s newest national monument, Baaj Nwaavja I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, and Grand Canyon National Park, the crown jewel of our national parks and a natural wonder of the world. These lands are not tradable assets—they are the bedrock of our communities, economy, and heritage.…The actions of this administration places our public lands at risk and are devastating to the ecosystems, displaces wildlife, threatens Indigenous stewardship, and undermines our rural economies which rely on recreation, tourism, grazing, hunting, fishing, and cultural heritage. These lands belong to all of us—not to be bargained away for short-term political gain.”

Devon Reese, Council Member, City of Reno, Nevada: “Protected public lands are hugely important to Nevadans and Renoites. We love these areas for their beauty and for the time we can spend immersed in the wonder of the outdoors, alongside other benefits. To us, the value of these places isn’t about how many resources we could get out of them—it’s about the enjoyment of the natural world. We should be doing more to protect and support our public lands, instead of starving them of badly-needed resources and exploiting them for short-term gain. Protected public lands help sustain our state’s vital outdoor recreation economy, which is why and how so many of our small towns and businesses thrive. The vitality of our communities is linked to the health of our public lands, which is why I am gutted that the Trump administration continues to put our public lands in jeopardy.”

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Last week, we released a report detailing impacts to public lands under the Trump administration, with examples from 30 local elected officials. Read the full report: bit.ly/publiclands2026!

bit.ly

State of Public Lands 2026 — The Mountain PACT

200+ Western elected officials call on congress to protect public lands LETTER and REPORT

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thank you to Western local elected officials Len Carlman and Gina Lucrezi for sharing how cuts to wildfire staff and funding threaten your communities. In the West, wildfire prevention and response is crucial. We can’t afford to cut it. The full report: bit.ly/publiclands2026

Local leaders share: Why wildfire cuts matter to communities. In our new report. The Mountain Pact.

Len Carlman, Commissioner, Teton County Wyoming: “We know and love our neighbors and family members who work for the Forest Service, Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and BLM. These public servants are not faceless and fraudulent federal bureaucrats as far away politicians in Washington D.C. want you to believe. They have meaningful careers stewarding the nation’s resources and welcoming the American public. Their work keeps people safe and helps our community thrive. In talking to staff at our local Ranger Districts and the Bridger-Teton National Forest Headquarters, it’s clear that staff cuts, organizational chaos and attacks on morale have been devastating. We’ve been informed that offices lack the staff to conduct basic day-to-day tasks. Delivery of approved grant funding to long-established partner-stewardship organizations like Friends of the Bridger-Teton are being endlessly delayed. Some Ranger Districts have equipment needed to fight wildfires, but they are at risk of having no staff to drive the vehicles. If there’s a wildfire, firefighting rigs may be left in parking lots because there’s no one left who can drive them. Continuing like this puts public lands and people at unnecessary risk. The current crop of federal government elected and administrative officials in Washington DC talk a big game about keeping public land decision-making and management close to the ground and then they deliberately undermine the agencies. It’s not ok.”

Gina Lucrezi, Commissioner, Chaffee County, Colorado: “A cornerstone of Chaffee County’s approach to natural amenities management is the close working partnerships we have with our regional USFS district ranger teams and other land management agencies, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management which cares for Brown’s Canyon National Monument, a major draw to our region. USFS staffing cuts mean that the primary pillars of our local economy, ranching and tourism, are immediately vulnerable to environmental degradation, increased wildfire risk, recreation and grazing challenges, watershed pollution, and habit loss for big game and important species. Cuts in USFS funding and staffing put pressure and strain on local resources (human and financial) to fill the gaps of implementing priority wildfire fuels reduction programs and providing valuable education to public lands visitors. These reductions result in our forests going unchecked for unattended campfires left to dangerously smolder, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. This is not a theoretical threat for us: it is a real, daily danger to our county that we cannot mitigate without key partners in federal agencies."

The full report & letter (with 30 local examples from elected officials!) Bit.ly/publiclands2026. The Mountain Pact.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Our new report details impacts to public lands under the Trump administration, with examples from 30 local elected officials. The Trump administration has been prioritizing fossil fuel development, and slowing down clean energy. This hurts us all! bit.ly/publiclands2026

The full report and letter (with 30 local examples from elected officials!). Bit.ly/publiclands2026. The Mountain Pact.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Thank you to Western local elected officials Keith Baker, Sonja Macys, and John Doyle for sharing how fast-tracking lots of fossil fuel development isn't the right thing for your communities, and how important fighting climate change is. The full report: bit.ly/publiclands2026

Local leaders share how fast-tracking fossil fuels hurts communities in our new report. The Mountain Pact.

“In communities like Routt County, public lands drive our economy and define our way of life. These lands belong to everyone. Actions by the administration to weaken our federal land management agencies, harm its workforce, and jeopardize the economic and recreational benefits that our community depends on is shameful. For Routt County, protecting these lands isn’t theoretical, it’s about safeguarding jobs, access, and the outdoor heritage that sustains our community. As a County commissioner and supporter of public lands in Routt County, the proposal to develop 14,000 acres for more oil and gas is appalling to Routt County residents. The proposal wants to take huge portions of Routt National Forest and transform popular recreation areas and important wildlife habitat into private areas mined for fossil fuels. The project's environmental impact review ignored laws, used outdated references, and was not published in a press release. This administration is pushing fossil fuels on us at the expense of our beloved public lands. I don't want that to be the Routt County that future generations inherit.” Sonja Macys, County Commissioner, Routt County, Colorado

“In Chaffee County, we know the tremendous benefits protected public lands have for our community. Preserving sites like Browns Canyon for future generations is essential to maintaining our country's shared past, which is what makes the Trump Administration’s stance towards national monument designations so concerning. As we continue feeling the impacts of climate change, further protections for our most important landscapes are vital. Staff cuts, funding cuts, and the deprioritization of conservation put the future of sites like Browns Canyon at risk, and expose local people to climate change related impacts even more.” Keith Baker, former Commission Chair, Chaffee County Colorado, former Friends of Browns Canyon Executive Director, and retired U.S. Navy commander

“The City of Aspen has long been a leader in advancing bold climate action, grounded in local values and science-based policy. We rely on our environment for recreation and tourism, and we’ve invested heavily in areas like climate resilience, clean energy, and local air quality protections to help ensure that this place can continue to be enjoyed by future generations. We want that legacy to continue through more investment in clean energy, and not in fossil fuels.” John Doyle, Mayor Pro Tem, Aspen, Colorado

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Thank you @theaspentimes.bsky.social for sharing the news of our letter and report, and thank you Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt local leaders for using your voices to stand up for public lands! Check out the full letter and report here: bit.ly/publiclands2026.

Breaking News. The Aspen Times/Snowmass Sun article titled "Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt join hundreds of elected officials calling on Congress in support of public lands," by River Stingray on September 22, 2026. Thank you, Aspen Times, for your coverage of our letter and report! The Mountain Pact.

“Aspen Mayor Rachael Richards, Aspen City Council Member John Doyle, Pitkin County Commissioner Greg Poschman, Basalt Mayor David Knight, Mayor Pro Tem Hannah Berman and Snowmass Town Council Members Susan Marolt and Britta Gustafson have joined hundreds of other western local elected officials calling on Congress to stand up for public lands as the Trump administration rolls back policies and protections across the West. In anticipation of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 26, the Mountain Pact issued a letter to Congress requesting “a more balanced approach to public lands management for the West” along with increased funding to manage public lands and more actions taken to protect the places that support western economies, according to a press release. ‘It is crucial that the general public, and our congressmen, senators and federal staff in charge of western waters and forests hear directly the impacts they are having and the concerns of communities affected by decisions made in D.C.,” Richards told The Aspen Times. “Silence equals consent, and I do not consent to this causal disregard for our recreational economy and western way of life.’”

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Many thanks to Aspen Mayor Rachael Richards, Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea, and Chaffee County Commissioner PT Wood for sharing your insights and your support for public lands. Be sure to check out the full report for all the examples: bit.ly/publiclands2026.

bit.ly

State of Public Lands 2026 — The Mountain PACT

200+ Western elected officials call on congress to protect public lands LETTER and REPORT

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

ICYMI: We released a new report this week on impacts to public lands under the Trump administration, with examples from 30 local elected officials about how threats to public lands affect their communities. Here's a preview of three of them!

Local leaders share how public lands staff cuts are affecting communities in our new report. The Mountain Pact.

Aspen, Colorado Mayor Rachael Richards says “Our local White River National Forest is the busiest forest in the United States. Its 2.3 million acres of public land are the lifeblood of the Rocky Mountains and the Aspen community. They provide essential resources, landscapes, and a plethora of recreation opportunities, and are protected by civil servants who process permits, protect water resources, clean the bathrooms, and ensure unattended campfires are doused. Travel spending from visitors to the area contributed $4.2 billion to the economies in Pitkin, Eagle, and Summit Counties in 2023–public lands are a huge economic contributor. Staffing shortages have already indefinitely closed a major office in our local region. More staff reductions have the potential to be devastating to proactive forest management, limiting prescribed burns, watershed protection, and maintenance. What's more, reduction in permitting could shutter local businesses that rely on permits, like outfitters and guides for fishing, skiing, and rafting trips. We need federal leadership to protect our communities and public lands, not continue to gut them."

Carl Florea, Mayor of Leavenworth, Washington says “Our community is surrounded by protected public lands, that locals and visitors alike come to recreate on and experience their beauty and solitude. These places support our growing outdoor recreation and tourism economies. They help provide jobs and revenue to support local employees and projects. But this administration’s drastic cuts have meant that our wilderness areas cannot be properly maintained. This means that our precious Alpine Lakes Wilderness is being degraded, and without the restoration of significant resources, not only will future generations miss out on this accessible once-pristine experience, but the Leavenworth water source is in danger of contamination due to the amount of human waste that is piling up and not properly taken care of as in past years. Public lands are something to be celebrated, and I am gravely concerned by the administration’s actions that are harming these lands.”

Chaffee County, Colorado Commissioner PT Wood says, “In Chaffee County, our public lands are at the very core of who we are. Our public lands are not just our playground, they sooth our souls, are central to our economy, and protect our water and climate. These aren't bargaining chips: they are us. One of the biggest impacts we are seeing is the lack of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rangers and law enforcement officers. This allows more illegal and harmful activities to go on, such as off trail motorized use, illegal dispersed camping, more trash, shooting, and others. All the public land agencies are down staff, and our local Royal Gorge BLM office is no different: it’s down 16 out of 45 fulltime employees. A number of our prescribed burns were put on hold, increasing wildfire risk countywide. Chaffee County discusses the impacts regularly with both our public land agencies and our congressional delegation. We also financially support our Rec Ranger and Rec Adopter programs that help fill in where federal staff is lacking.”

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The signed letter accompanies a report about what, exactly, has happened to public lands since January 2025 and why it matters for local communities. Trust us, a lot has happened! Or check the report & letter out for yourself: bit.ly/publiclands2026.

The Report. What's been happening with public lands under the Trump administration? How does it affect Western communities? Screenshot of report front page, with title "The Current State of Public Lands: What's happened to public lands in the second Trump administration, January 2025-September 2026. The Mountain Pact. With examples from 30 local elected officials. bit.ly/publiclands2026

The Letter. 200+ local elected officials call on Congress: "Recently, there have been numerous threats to the health and protection of our public lands. For the sake of our communities, we oppose these attacks, and we ask you to join us. Our robust public lands system today is the result of many people working hard to care for these places and create policies that sustain them. We ask you to join in that legacy by standing up to protect public lands for the American people--of the present, and of generations to come". bit.ly/publiclands2026

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Over 200 Western local elected officials joined us in calling on Congress, @potus, and @usinterior to protect public lands–for the sake of our communities! bit.ly/publiclands2026

200+ Western elected officials call on Congress to protect public lands: letter + report. The Mountain Pact.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

We are thrilled that the Nevada County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a local pro public lands resolution today! A huge thank you to Supervisor Bullock for his work on this effort and to all supervisors for their support.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

ICYMI: the August Conservation Update is here! Check it out to catch up on all the public lands news from the last month, including about wildfire, oil and gas leasing rule changes, corruption in Washington, and many other stories. Find the link or sign up on our website!

The Mountain Pact. The August Conservation Update is out. What's inside?

Grist: Firefighters sound alarm as US faces critical staffing shortage: 'We don't have enough people'. Spokespeople for the USFS insist that the agency is staffed at full capacity. But firefighters themselves report unsustainable skeleton crews and resource shortages that put them—and communities affected by wildfire—in danger.

Oil and gas rule changes. BLM had a public comment period in August about proposed revisions to oil and gas leasing rules, including reducing public comment periods from 90 days to 10 and making it no longer necessary to notify landowners about oil and gas drilling under their lands. Landowners and public lands activists spoke out in protest of the new rules, saying they would hurt the land, democracy, and taxpayers’ wallets.

Burgum & the Reflecting Pool. Doug Burgum is under fire for his lies about damage to the Reflecting Pool. He continues to insist that damage to the pool was caused by vandalism, even after evidence was released that the Interior Department knew it was caused by bad work by the hastily hired contractor.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

We have until September 21 to tell Secretary Rollins that we won’t let the federal government bulldoze roads through America’s protected wild forests. Take 1 minute of your day now to go on the record defending the Roadless Area Conservation Rule! roadless.org

Action alert! Protect wild forests. Say no to bulldozing through protected forests.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

ICYMI, the July Conservation Update is out! Check it out for updates on our work this past month, including our statement on the evisceration of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments, and all the other biggest public lands news.

The Mountain Pact. The July Conservation Update is out! What's inside?

The Mountain Pact and local leaders decry the evisceration of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. On July 13th, President Trump signed proclamations that decimated Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments by 90 and 91%, respectively. We released a statement with quotes from 20+ local elected officials about this devastating loss and the importance of national monuments. “I am deeply concerned that the Trump Administration's actions puts these irreplaceable places, and countless others like it across the West, at risk. We need to ensure public lands remain protected so these critical landscapes can continue benefiting communities like ours for years to come.” Trish Hedin, Commissioner, Grand County, Utah

Public Lands Integrity Act. Our support for the Public Lands Integrity Act was featured in the Telluride Times, in a piece spotlighting ways the San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners is taking action for public lands. The Public Lands Integrity Act would prevent public lands from being sold in budget reconciliation processes. That would close the loophole that Senator Mike Lee attempted to use last summer!

A Westwise piece titled "We're powered by love:" Utahns gather across the state to show support for national monuments. On July 20, hundreds of people across Utah gathered to protest President Trump’s cuts to Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. Polling from the Grand Canyon Trust shows that 71% of Utah voters support keeping Bears Ears as a monument, and 74% support Grand Staircase-Escalante. Photo of protestors with signs reading "Protect our public lands" and "Utah stands with Bears Ears"

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Our support for the Public Lands Integrity Act was featured in the Telluride Times, in a piece spotlighting ways the San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners is taking action for public lands. Thanks, Telluride Times, and we're glad to have you with us, San Miguel County Board!

The Mountain Pact in the press: The Telluride Times. BOCC discusses public lands. Commissioners offer support for several environmental and conservation initiatives. By Sophie Stuber Assistant Editor, on July 17 2026. Swipe to see the Mountain Pact feature!

"The San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) signed letters of support for several public lands and environmental measures, including the Public Lands Workforce Stability Act, the Public Lands Integrity Act and an EcoAction grant for a floating solar project in Norwood." "Along with the letter of support for the Public Lands Integrity Act, San Miguel County also plans to join the Mountain Pact, which is involved in the legislations. The Mountain Pact is an advocacy group working to educate and support local elected officials in ski towns and other outdoor recreation communities. Through the nonprofit, local governments have a united strategy to advocate for federal climate, public lands, and sustainable outdoor recreation legislation." Thank you, San Miguel County and Telluride Times!

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Thank you @arkvalleyvoice.bsky.social Voice for featuring The Mountain Pact in your coverage! And thank you to Chaffee County Commissioners for speaking up against these threats and in support of your local public lands.

The Mountain Pact in the press. Ark Valley Voice article titled "Trump Shrinks Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears to 10 Percent of Their Size", posted by Jan Wondra on July 14, 2026. Swipe to see the Mountain Pact quote!

"The Mountain Pact, representing more than 300 leaders, and 100 communities across the American West, has issued a strenuous objection. Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact said, “President Trump’s shameful actions on Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments is a direct assault on our shared outdoor heritage and an unpatriotic attack against our nation’s greatest treasure – our public lands. National monuments are critical economic drivers that create thousands of good-paying jobs, supply our communities with clean water, and are home to priceless cultural and natural treasures that are key to our Western way of life.”"

"Local Chaffee County Commissioners raised concerns during their Tuesday, July 14 meeting, noting that threats to national monuments’ scope and mission in other parts of the West cause concerns over the protections of Browns Canyon National Monument here in Chaffee County."

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

We are heartbroken today as the Trump administration gutted Bears Ears & Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by over 90%. 💔 We will continue to work hard to protect these places and the public lands we love so dearly, but we pause today to reflect on this devastating news. bit.ly/44sP9FC

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

The June Conservation Update is out! Check it out to hear what The Mountain Pact has been up to this month, and get all the latest public lands news.

The Mountain Pact. The June Conservation Update is out! What's inside?

Supporting the Public Lands Integrity Act. Quotes from The Mountain Pact and local elected officials were included in statements from Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani, and in coverage from the Mountain West News Bureau (including KJZZ, KUNC, and KUNR).

Supporting the Public Lands Integrity Act. "Public lands are the backbone of Arizona's outdoor heritage, and the threat of selling these treasures off is simply unacceptable. America's public lands support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. Pima County is proud to stand up for the places we call home, and will work to ensure our public lands aren't sold off to the highest bidder." Rex Scott, Pima County, Arizona Supervisor

Celebrating failed attacks on Grand Staircase-Escalante's Management Plan. "It's rare to have good political news these days, but we are overjoyed that an attempted attack on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument management plan, through the use of the Congressional Review Act, has failed. Grand Staircase-Escalante is beloved. It is home to vast amounts of wildlife habitat, unique geological features, and priceless cultural and natural resources." Anna Peterson, Executive Director, The Mountain Pact.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Thanks, Representatives, for introducing public lands legislation—and thanks to local officials for speaking out in support of the lands that matter to your communities!

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Representatives Ciscomani and Vasquez cited support from local leaders and The Mountain Pact in their statements about the Public Lands Integrity Act. Other media also featured quotes from local elected officials.

Local leaders on the Public Lands Integrity Act, quoted in statements and the press. The Mountain Pact.

A statement from Juan Ciscomani, for Arizona's 6th Congressional District. WTAS: Stakeholders Applaud Representative Ciscomani's Bipartisan Leadership to Protect Arizona's Public Lands. "Public lands are integral to our identity and economy. Treasured places like Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni bring visitors to our region, create jobs, and provide opportunities for residents to explore and enjoy nature. Selling off these lands would demonstrate a lack of vision and a misunderstanding of what the public values. We thank Representative Ciscomani for sponsoring the Public Lands Integrity Act." - Mayor Becky Daggett, City of Flagstaff. "Yavapai County’s public lands are the heartbeat of our community and the backbone of our economy. These precious spaces provide habitat for wildlife, support agriculture, and give residents countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. We are grateful to Rep. Ciscomani for standing up to protect them." - Supervisor Nikki Check, Yavapai County. "Public lands are the backbone of Arizona’s outdoor heritage. They support recreation, tourism, and the health and well-being of our communities. Pima County is proud to stand up for these places, and we thank Rep. Ciscomani for sponsoring the Public Lands Integrity Act." - Supervisor Rex Scott, Pima County. "Public lands serve as the bedrock of our communities, economy, and heritage. These landscapes are essential to our identity and prosperity. Those lands belong to all of us and should not be bargained away for short-term political gain. We appreciate Representative Ciscomani for sponsoring the Public Lands Integrity Act." - Chair Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Board of Supervisors

An article from the Mountain West News Bureau, KUNC, KUNR, and KJZZ. Bipartisan group in Congress pitches bill to block "backdoor" public lands sales. "Conservation groups and local government leaders applaud the legislation. 'Public lands are the backbone of Arizona's outdoor heritage, and the threat of selling these treasures off is simply unacceptable,' said Rex Scott, supervisor from Pima County, Ariz., in a statement"

A statement from Gabe Vasquez, U.S. Representative from New Mexico's 2nd district, titled Rep Gabe Vasquez Introduces the Bipartisan Public Lands Integrity Act to Prevent Backdoor Public Land Sell Offs. “In the West public lands power our outdoor economies, provide critical water and resources for agriculture, and give our residents unmatched opportunities to recreate and enjoy the peace and solitude that comes along with time spent in nature,” said Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact. “But threats to sell off our public lands are putting our shared outdoor heritage in danger of being exploited for short-term gain. That’s why over 70 communities across the West have stood up and taken official action to condemn these reckless and irresponsible attacks, and to push back against those who want to auction off these irreplaceable and sacred landscapes to the highest bidder. We thank Representative Ciscomani and Vasquez for working to make sure our public lands remain right where they belong: in public hands.”

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

In order to protect wilderness, we have to be able to protect land that's in consideration to become designated wilderness. Opening those lands up to multiple uses, or stopping their protection altogether, prevents that from happening. Well-protected outdoor spaces support Western local communities!

An article from More than Just Parks, titled Trump Administration Moves to Close the Door on Future Wilderness. By opening qualifying lands to development, officials seek to permanently remove them from Wilderness consideration. On Wednesday the Department of the Interior announced what reads, if you only skim it, like a gift to anyone who loves climbing on our public lands. The announcement calls for new guidance on recreational rock climbing. Fixed anchors. World-class crags from El Capitan to Joshua Tree. Skim the headline and you’d think the government spent a pleasant June morning doing something nice for climbers, which is exactly what the headline is designed to do. But buried in the same announcement, in the paragraphs written to be skipped, sits a review of whether the United States should keep protecting the lands that stand next in line to become Wilderness — the wild country we’ve already set aside to make into permanent Wilderness.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

It’s rare to have good political news these days, but we are overjoyed that an attempted attack on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument management plan, through the use of the Congressional Review Act, has failed!

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

The Public Lands Integrity Act would protect public lands from being sold through loopholes. We thank representatives Vasquez, Ciscomani, Neguse, Zinke and senators Bennet, Hickenlooper, Cortez Masto, Wyden, Merkley, Heinrich for leading the way! the-mountain-pact.squarespace.com/s/FINAL-Publ...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

For 120 years, presidents have used the Antiquities Act to protect national monuments for future generations. National monuments play a crucial role in the local economies and ways of life in mountain communities across the West. Read more from local leaders about why monuments matter so much!

120 years of the antiquities act. Hear western local leaders' words on why national monuments are so important, from the Mountain Pact

"Outdoor recreation and access to our gorgeous desert lands are one of the primary drivers of our tourism based economy and are part of what makes living here so special." Gary Gardner, Council member, City of Desert Hot Springs, California

“Public lands have sustained our outdoor way of life in New Mexico for thousands of years, and if they are cared for properly they will continue sustaining our communities for thousands of years more. But areas like Rio Grande del Norte National Monument are fragile, and irreplaceable.” Darien Fernandez, Council member, city of Taos, New Mexico

“Molok Luyuk [now part of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument] is a special and sacred place for area Tribes and many local residents who enjoy recreation activities like hiking and mountain biking. The natural beauty of our home also drives tourism, which is key to the economic vitality of the region. Protecting these beautiful lands would be a gift to future generations.” E.J. Crandell, Supervisor, Lake County, California, Member of the Robinson Rancheria Tribe

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The May Conservation Update is out! Check it out for updates on Mountain Pact's work opposing Steve Pearce's confirmation as BLM director and the rescission of the Public Lands Rule, along with the top public lands news from the month. mailchi.mp/themountainp...

The Mountain Pact May Conservation Update is out. What's inside?

$Opposition to Steve Pearce's confirmation as BLM director. "My My family has been hunting the same Colorado public lands for generations. Will my sons have to pay a billionaire to access those same lands in the future, all because the federal government sold it so they could do a one-time pay off of a fraction of the deficit?" says Tom Boyd, Commissioner, Eagle County Colorado. In the background, logos for many news sources.$

“Pearce is a dangerous climate denier and a key player in the anti-public lands movement who spent his entire career in Congress boosting corporate polluters and defending oil and gas interests while fighting tooth and nail to sell off our public lands to the highest bidder.” Anna Peterson, Executive Director, The Mountain Pact. In the background, a scenic photo of a wildflower meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Opposition to rollback of BLM public lands rule. “Pima County is proud to have supported the BLM Public Lands Rule that helps us thoughtfully manage the precious public lands that boost tourism, support our local economy, and offer incredible opportunities to appreciate and be in awe of Arizona’s majestic desert. We’re greatly disappointed by this gutting of the Public Land Rule.” Jennifer Allen, District 3 County Supervisor and Chair, Pima County, Arizona. In the background, logos for many news sources.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Thank you @bennet.senate.gov for proposing this bill to help keep public lands in public hands. Representative Hurd, it's time to show that your support for public lands translates into action!

Last summer, Senator Mike Lee tried to use a loophole to sell public lands. Senator Bennet's new bill would make that impossible. Congresspeople: this is your chance to act on your support for public lands.
A passage from a Durango Herald article, reading: Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet's newly introduced Public Lands Integrity Act would close the loophole that nearly allowed public lands to be sold through the federal budget reconciliation process with only a simple majority vote. Rep. Jeff Hurd and other Western Republicans who publicly opposed last year's proposed sell-offs now have an opportunity to prove those statements were more than rhetoric. House members are reportedly developing a companion bill and seeking bipartisan support, and Hurd should sign on.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Mass firings have already deeply damaged public lands agencies' ability to carry out their mission. These agencies need staff to keep the land healthy and protected. Thank you @joeneguse.bsky.social for standing up for public lands employees!

An article from Summit Daily. Neguse introduces bill to prohibit mass firings at U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management. The Colorado Democrat's proposed legislation would bar mass firings at federal land management agencies until 2030.

Text: US Rep Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, has introduced a bill in Congress to prohibit mass terminations at federal land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The proposed legislation comes after President Donald Trump's administration last year fired tens of thousands of employees across the federal government, including hundreds at the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. “Extreme weather conditions, drought and unprecedented fire risk, coupled with staffing shortages across the Interior Department and Forest Service, have placed our public lands and the civil servants that protect them in a dangerous position — the consequences of which are real and immediate,” Neguse said in a statement.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Statements from local elected officials and The Mountain Pact about Steve Pearce's confirmation were quoted in the press. Look through this thread to the articles and read the quotes, and find more information on our website!

Local elected officials' thoughts on Stevan Pearce's confirmation in the press

An article from the Aspen Times, Summit Daily, Steamboat Pilot, and the Post Independent. Colorado senators, Western Slope leaders concerned about new Bureau of Land Management director's previous statements on sale of public lands. Eagle County Commissioner Tom Boyd asked of the public lands he hunts on: 'Will my sons have to pay a billionaire to access those same lands in the future?' from May 19 2026

$Two quotes from that article. "Eagle County Commissioner Tom Boyd in a statement on Pearce's confirmation noted that his family has been hunting on Colorado's public lands for generations. 'Will my sons have to pay a billionaire to access those same lands in the future, all because the federal government sold it so they could do a one-time pay off of a fraction of the deficit?' Boyd asked." and "Anna Peterson, the executive director of The Mountain Pact, a coalition of local elected officials from more than 100 Western mountain communities, in a statement said Pearce's confirmation "will be a disaster for our communities". "Pearce is a dangerous climate denier and a key player in the anti-public lands movement who spent his entire career in Congress boosting corporate polluters and defending oil and gas interests while fighting tooth and nail to sell off our public lands to the highest bidder," Peterson said.$

Another passage from that article. "Routt County Commissioner Sonja Macys noted that the Bureau of Land Management operates under what is known as the "multiple-use mandate," which directs agencies to manage public lands for overlapping uses, such as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, energy extraction and wildlife protection. The Trump administration earlier this month ended a Biden-era rule that put conservation on equal footing with other uses. "No single interest is supposed to outweigh the others. These lands belong to everyone," Macys said in a statement. "Steve Pearce, who has a record of supporting public land privatization, poses a direct threat to that balance...for Routt County, protecting the multiple-use mandate isn't theoretical, it's about safeguarding jobs, access and the outdoor heritage that sustains our community." Chaffee County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi in a statement called Pearce's confirmation "a direct threat to the land, wildlife, and our heritage."

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Western local elected officials warn of dire potential consequences for America’s public lands now that President Trump’s nominee to run the Bureau of Land Management, Steve Pearce, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate today. the-mountain-pact.squarespace.com/s/RELEASE_-O...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The Public Lands Rule is a key regulation that put conservation on equal footing with other uses for BLM land. Repealing it removes key protections for public lands. PostIndependent: www.postindependent.com/news/bureau-... WyoFile: wyofile.com/conservation...

An article from the PostIndependent and Vail Daily, titled "The Bureau of Land Management kills 2-year-old conservation rule for public lands. The Trump administration is revoking the Biden-era rule that placed conservation on equal footing with other uses on the federally-managed land"

A quote from the PostIndependent and Vail Daily articles. "Anna Peterson, executive director of Durango-based nonprofit The Mountain Pact, wrote in a statement that the decision threatens the way of life and economies of the Western communities that rely on "well-managed public lands." "This critical tool conserves key lands and waters for residents, wildlife, and future generations, and brings much-needed balance to BLM management," Peterson said. "We're deeply disappointed in this shortsighted decision, and urge this administration to put our communities' best interests at heart and protect the public lands we depend on to thrive."

An article from the Jackson Hole News & Guide, WyoFile, and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, titled "Conservation groups call foul, Gordon celebrates after BLM repeals Public Lands Rule. The 2024 rule put conservation on equal footing with other uses of public lands. Wyoming joined Utah in a lawsuit challenging it."

A quote from the Jackson Hole News & Guide, WyoFile, and Wyoming Tribune Eagle article. "The Mountain Pact, an organization that works with bipartisan local elected officials in Western mountain communities, also blasted the repeal as deeply disappointing. "Western communities depend on well-managed public lands to support our economies and our outdoor way of life, and the BLM Public Lands Rule ensures that conservation of these irreplaceable landscapes is given equal consideration," Mountain Pact Executive Director Anna Peterson said."

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Statements from The Mountain Pact and local elected officials opposing the rescission of the BLM's Public Lands Rule were quoted in the press! Read our statement: www.themountainpact.org/blm-final-pu... Inside Climate News article: insideclimatenews.org/news/1205202...

Local elected officials' thoughts on the repeal of the Public Lands Rule, in the news

Inside Climate News. Article titled "Trump Administration Kills Rule Putting Conservation of Public Lands on Equal Footing With Resource Extraction: Biden's Public Lands Rule ensured protecting or rehabilitating federal land would be as legitimate a use as mining, logging, or drilling. Republicans and developers said it was a threat to the principle of "multiple use".

A quote from the Inside Climate News article. "Putting conservation on the same playing field as other uses like mining, grazing, and drilling is a common-sense approach that invites collaboration and lets Western communities like mine have a say when it comes to our most important resource--our public lands" said Trisha Hedin, a commissioner for Grand County, Utah, home to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. "Our community depends on the health of public lands to attract visitors from all over the world. It is the backbone of our economy"

Another quote from Inside Climate News. "Jennifer Allen, a Pima County supervisor in Arizona, home to Tucson, said the rule allowed the county and partners to "thoughtfully manage the precious public lands that boost tourism, support our local economy and offer incredible opportunities to appreciate and be in awe of Arizona's majestic desert." Pima county is home to Saguaro National Park and Ironwood Forest National Monument. The monument is among those the Trump administration has considered downsizing in order to expand a nearby copper mine."

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Western local elected officials blasted the Trump administration's roll back the BLM Public Lands Rule - a critical rule finalized in 2024 that increased protections for public lands by putting conservation on equal footing with other uses. www.themountainpact.org/blm-final-pu...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

ICYMI our April Conservation Update is out! Updates on the Forest Service restructuring & move; the continued drought; the President’s FY27 budget; the use of the CRA on Grand Staircase-Escalante; & the upcoming Steve Pearce vote to lead the BLM. mailchi.mp/themountainp...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Thank you to Representative Hurd for taking time this morning to talk about public lands with folks involved in The Mountain Pact - Gunnison Commissioner Puckett-Daniels, La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka, City of Durango Mayor Yazzie, and Town of Basalt Mayor Knight.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Check out this month's The Mountain Pact Conservation Update! mailchi.mp/themountainp...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Utah's congressional delegation has introduced a joint resolution to reject the Resource Management Plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Undoing the plan would disregard the two-year public process that included tribal input.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Our statement on the latest efforts to dismantle Grand Staircase-Escalante’s monument management plan - the blueprint that guides all activities on the landscape.

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Check out this month's Conservation Update! mailchi.mp/themountainp...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

The people don’t want Steve Pearce in charge of our public lands! 📊 Overwhelming majorities in Idaho (76%), Montana (75%) and New Mexico (71%) are opposed. Block Sell-Off Steve from the BLM!

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

"Chaffee County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi is one of dozens of Western county and state officials filing formal objections to the confirmation of Stevan Pearce as [BLM Director.]" Read more: : arkvalleyvoice.com/mountain-pac...

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The Mountain Pact @themountainpact.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Local leaders in Idaho and across the west are calling out Steve Pearce and his anti-public lands agenda.

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