Interior Department Rescinds 18 Obsolete BLM Regulations for Energy Boost

The U.S. Department of the Interior Takes Steps to Bolster Energy Independence

WASHINGTON – In a notable move to support energy independence and economic growth, the Department of the Interior has announced the revocation of 18 outdated regulations from the Bureau of Land Management. This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to reduce regulatory constraints, stimulate job growth, and encourage responsible energy development on public lands.

These rescinded regulations will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days, representing a significant milestone in the administration’s ongoing efforts to remove obstacles to economic progress.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated, “This effort embodies our dedication to removing bureaucratic red tape that hinders American innovation and energy production. By rescinding these outdated regulations, we are not only reducing costs and streamlining processes but also reinforcing our commitment to energy independence and national prosperity — all while maintaining the highest standards of environmental stewardship.”

The initiative is part of Secretary’s Order 3421, “Achieving Prosperity Through Deregulation,” which calls for the systematic identification and elimination of regulations deemed outdated, redundant, or overly burdensome. This is in line with President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” which requires agencies to balance the cost of new regulations by repealing existing ones that create undue economic hindrances.

The Department’s ongoing efforts to update regulatory practices ensure that public lands in the United States are managed effectively to boost local economies, support energy independence, and balance environmental safeguards.

Rescinded Regulations

• 43 CFR 3823.1: Pertains to prospecting in national forest wilderness areas for mineral resource information.
• 43 CFR 3814.2(a): Relates to the disposal of reserved minerals under the Stock-Raising Homestead Act.
• 43 CFR 3823.2: Concerns mineral locations in national forest wilderness.
• 43 CFR 3737.1: Discusses the use of mining claims and millsites for non-mining purposes.
• 43 CFR 3830.23(a)(5): Involves authorized debit payments for mining claims from a declining deposit account with the BLM.
• 43 CFR 3835.31(d)(2): Addresses the filing of annual Federal Land Policy and Management Act documents for oil shale placer claims.
• 43 CFR 3200.7(b) & (c): Concerns regulations for geothermal leases issued before August 8, 2005, and 43 CFR 3200.8(b)(2) for pending leases.
• 43 CFR 3203.5(b)(1): Involves obtaining competitive geothermal leases; 43 CFR 3204.5(d) for noncompetitive leases; and 43 CFR 3204.13 for processing pending applications.
• 43 CFR 3212.18 thru 3212.24: Pertains to production incentives for geothermal leases.
• 43 CFR 3503.37(f): Relates to hardrock mineral acreage limits and 43 CFR Part 3500 Subpart 3517 for development contracts.
• 43 CFR 3212.26: Discusses requests to modify royalty rate terms of geothermal leases, and 43 CFR 3212.27 for reviewing such requests.
• 43 CFR 3261.17(b): Pertains to amendments of approved geothermal lease operation plans or drilling permits.
• 43 CFR Part 1850: Relates to public lands hearings procedures.
• 43 CFR Part 3730 Subpart 3738: Concerns mining in powersite withdrawal surface protection requirements.
• 43 CFR 3821.3: Involves filing requirements for unpatented mining claims on O&C Lands.
• 43 CFR 3809.400(b) & (c): Pertains to the applicability of surface management plans of operations for mining claims.
• 43 CFR 3834.11(b): Concerns annual fees for oil shale placer mining claims.
• 43 CFR 3715.4: Relates to managing the use and occupancy of public lands under U.S. mining laws.