BLM releases proposed rule to reform aspects of onshore oil and gas leasing on federal lands

On July 24, 2023 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule for common sense reforms to aspects of onshore oil and gas leasing on federal lands. The reforms were recommended in the Department of Interior’s November 2021 report and implement the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions. Among the reforms are an increase in bonding rates to fully cover reclamation costs; an end to speculative leasing on parcels with little or no oil and gas development potential — which often are in important wildlife habitats; minimum lease bids; and fees for an expression of interest in leasing a parcel. CWF and many others have advocated for such reforms for several years to improve management of our public lands and to reduce conflicts between industry and other uses including reduced fragmentation of wildlife habitat and needed habitat restoration.

Link to the Proposed Rule

Link to the BLM fact sheet