Forest Service Issues Final Rule Revising Process for Approving Oil and Gas Leasing on Federal Lands

On January 27, 2026, the Forest Service announced it had finalized a rule which revises the process for approving new oil and gas leasing projects in National Forests. 91 Fed. reg. 3643 (Jan. 28, 2026). The new final rule allows the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to coordinate in issuing permits, and accelerates the process for fossil fuel production in line with President Trump's executive orders on Declaring a National Energy Emergency and Unleashing American Energy.