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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has finalized new rules affecting oil and gas development on national forest lands.
Federal officials say the changes will speed up leasing and drilling approvals aimed at addressing long-standing backlogs and improving coordination between surface and subsurface land managers. The changes were published this week in the Federal Register and update regulations that guide how energy projects move forward on federally managed forest land.
According to federal data, oil and gas leases currently cover about 3.8 million acres, or roughly two percent, of national forest land. Producing wells are located on about 1.8 million acres across dozens of national forests and grasslands.
Supporters of the rule argue it provides greater certainty for energy producers and could help increase domestic energy supply. Environmental groups have raised concerns in past regulatory debates about the pace of development on public lands and potential impacts to wildlife and water resources.
The revised rules will guide future federal oil and gas leasing decisions during the Trump Administration.
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