Oil and Gas Resources

Document 2026-01655 is a Final Rule published by the Department of Agriculture in the Federal Register on January 28, 2026, with an effective date of February 27, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) is finalizing revisions to its regulations governing Federal oil and gas resources within the National Forest System (NFS). The Department is making these revisions to update and modernize its existing regulations. In addition, conforming technical amendments to other parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) affected by this rule are also being updated. The regulations revise the process for analyzing whether the USDA, Forest Service will consent to making certain lands available for oil and gas leasing by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The regulations also clarify requirements for conducting lease operations and revise procedures concerning monitoring operator compliance with all applicable terms and conditions of leasing. The revised regulations will apply to operations on both existing and future leases. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/28/2026-01655/oil-and-gas-resources.

No. Document 2026-01655 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.