Trump Administration Rescinds Biden Conservation Rule on Public Lands

The Bureau of Land Management manages about 245 million acres, which is roughly one‑tenth of the total U.S. land area. These lands are used for a mix of activities, including oil and gas extraction, timber harvesting, recreation and livestock grazing. In 2024, the Biden administration introduced a rule that allowed conservation organizations to obtain leases for restoration projects under the same leasing framework used by energy companies. The rule was designed to give conservation a standing comparable to traditional multiple‑use activities such as mining and drilling. For decades, the bureau has prioritized development over conservation, issuing grazing permits and oil leases while rarely offering restoration leases.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the rule could have blocked access to hundreds of thousands of acres, hindering energy and timber production and harming ranchers who depend on those lands for grazing. Dan Naatz of the Independent Petroleum Association of America stated that repealing the rule gives independent oil and gas producers greater clarity and predictability for permitting and leasing, which supports domestic energy investment. The Interior Department is formally rescinding the rule as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to ease restrictions on industries operating on taxpayer‑owned land. Officials noted in internal memos that the rule exceeded the Bureau of Land Management’s authority to allow outside parties to hold conservation leases. The department said the rescission aligns with the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act’s mandate to manage public lands for multiple use.

With the rule removed, conservation leases will no longer be offered on an equal footing with energy leases, likely shifting the balance toward more drilling and mining permits on public lands. Industry groups anticipate a smoother, more predictable leasing process that could encourage new investment in domestic oil and gas projects. Environmental groups warn that the change may reduce protections for clean drinking water, wildlife habitat and land reclamation efforts, potentially leading to greater ecological degradation. The repeal becomes effective 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, which was scheduled for Tuesday. Stakeholders will watch for upcoming lease sales, any legal challenges filed by conservation organizations, and how the Bureau of Land Management revises its multiple‑use management plans in the next fiscal year. The change could also affect leasing for underground minerals such as lithium, which are important for renewable energy technologies.