The PLF actively monitors Congressional legislation, Federal rulemaking and Executive Orders issued by the president pertaining to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and public lands management. We engage with our partners in providing our perspective on a wide range of issues including the annual BLM appropriations, any program oversight hearings, proposed amendments to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and major environmental review statutes (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, etc.).
This is where we must rely on the help and expertise of our members. Reviewing legislation and proposed rules and preparing comments and testimony is time-consuming. We rely on volunteer expertise to help us with this important advocacy work. PLF members, if you can assist us please contact Beau McClure at vpops@publicland.org.
Sources of information include Congress.gov for Congressional legislation, and for rulemkaing regulations.gov and the Regulatory Agenda. Search the Federal Register for Executive Orders issued by the President. You may search each of these databases for Interior or BLM-related actions or other topics of interest to you. Here are a few examples of searches you can do:
- congress.gov: To find bills that include “Bureau of Land Management” in the current Congress, click on Advanced Searches, check the box for the current Congress, under Words and Phrases enter in quotes “Bureau of Land Management,” under Legislation Types check “All Legislation,” and hit search. On December 22, 2020 the search results identified 207 bills.
- regulations.gov: To find proposed rules issued by the BLM: Enter Bureau of Land Management. Filter the search results by selecting the BLM under “Agency,” and check the box for “Proposed Rule.”
- Reginfo.gov: Select Department of the Interior from the dropdown list and click “submit.” A list of Interior agencies, including BLM will appear. Click on the RIN (Regulation Identifier Number) column to bring up details about the individual regulation entry.
- https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders:The Federal Register webpage shows Executive Orders issued by the current president and past presidents.
Legislation of the 118th Congress
| Topic or Issue | Bill Number(s)& Name(s): Sponsor(s) | Summary | Latest Actions | PLF Input |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regulations
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Semiannual Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan
| Topic or Issue | RIN (Regulation Identifier Number) | Abstract | Agency Contact | Action | Date | FR Cite | PLF Input |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonding | 1004-AE68 | This regulatory action would update the bonding procedures for (rights-of-way (ROWs)) on BLM managed public land. The proposed rule would change the Bureau of Land Management’s ROW regulations by revising the bonding portion of the regulations to make them clearer and easier to understand, which would facilitate efficient bond calculations. | Douglas J. Herrema Division Chief, HQ-350 (Lands, Realty, and Cadastral) Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 Phone:760 507-5607 Email: dherrema@blm.gov | NPRM 08/00/2022 | |||
| Closure and Restriction Orders | 1004-AE89 | This proposed rule would allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to better protect persons, property and public lands and resources by allowing the agency to close or restrict the use of public lands in a more timely manner. The rule would also make the BLM’s regulations more consistent with other Federal land management agencies’ closure and restriction authorities. | Mark Lambrecht Assistant Director, National Landscape Conservation System Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4954 Email: mlambrecht@blm.gov | NPRM 07/00/2022 | |||
| Communications Including Broadband - Rights of Way | 1004-AE60 | This proposed rule would update the bonding procedures for rights-of-way (ROW) on BLM-managed public land. The proposed rule would revise the bonding portion of the BLM’s ROW regulations to make them clearer and easier to understand, which would facilitate efficient bond calculations. | Douglas J. Herrema Division Chief, HQ-350 (Lands, Realty, and Cadastral) Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 Phone:760 507-5607 Email: dherrema@blm.gov | NPRM 06/00/2022 | |||
| Fossil Fuel Leases and Leasing Process - Revisions to Existing Regulations | 1004-AE80 | This proposed rule would revise the BLM’s fossil fuel regulations to update the fees, rents, royalties, and bonding requirements related to oil and gas leasing, development, and production. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | NPRM 01/00/2023 NPRM Comment Period End 03/00/2023 | |||
| Geothermal - Leasing & Operations | 1004-AE84 | This proposed rule would update and incorporate the BLM's Geothermal Resource Orders into regulations, including common geothermal standard practices, and inspection requirements and procedures. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | NPRM 06/00/2022 | |||
| Grazing Administration-Exclusive of Alaska | 1004-AE82 | This proposed rule would amend the BLM's regulations concerning how the BLM administers livestock grazing on public lands. The proposed rule would update and make editorial changes to recognize statutory authorities and make technical corrections and clarifications. | Marlo Draper Acting Division Chief, Forest, Range, and Vegetation Resources Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Idaho State Office, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709 Phone:208 373-3812 Email: mdraper@blm.gov | NPRM 08/00/2022 | |||
| Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees | 1004-AE86 | This annual rule will adjust minerals fees according to changes in the Implicit Price Deflator for Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP), which is published quarterly by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This direct final rule will update those fees and service charges consistent with the IPD-GDP. | Kyle Moorman Division Chief for Regulatory Affairs and Directives Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240 Phone:202 527-2433 Email: kmoorman@blm.gov | Final Statutory 10/01/2022 | |||
| Oil and Gas Site Security, Oil Measurement, and Gas Measurement Regulations | 1004-AE87 | The rule would update the Bureau of Land Management’s existing rules governing site security and measurement of oil and gas from onshore Federal and Indian oil and gas leases. Since the BLM adopted the existing rules in November 2016, the agency has encountered significant challenges in implementing them. This regulatory action would rectify gaps and inconsistencies in the current regulations and improve measurement accuracy, verifiability, and accountability on Federal and Indian minerals. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | NPRM 11/00/2022 | |||
| Onshore Oil and Gas Order Numbers 1, 2, 6 and 7 Approval of Operations - Codification | 1004-AE90 | The final rule will codify the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 1, Approval of Operations (Onshore Order 1); Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 2, Drilling Operations (Onshore Order 2); Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 6, Hydrogen Sulfide Operations (Onshore Order 6); and Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 7, Disposal of Produced Water (Onshore Order 7) in 43 CFR Part 3160. The rule does not make any changes to the contents of these Onshore Orders. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | Final Rule 08/00/2022 Final Rule Effective 09/00/2022 | |||
| Renewable Energy and Transmission Lines - Leasing, Operations, and Rights of Way | 1004-AE78 | This proposed rule would revise the BLM’s regulations for rights-of-way, leasing, and operations related to all activities associated with renewable energy and transmission lines. The Energy Act of 2020 and E.O. 14008 prioritize the Department’s need to improve permitting activities and processes to facilitate increased renewable energy production on public lands. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | NPRM 10/00/2022 Comment Period End 12/00/2022 Final Action 07/00/2023 Final Rule Effective 09/00/2023 | |||
| Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation | 1004-AE79 | This proposed rule would update the BLM’s regulations governing the waste of natural gas through venting, flaring, and leaks on onshore Federal and Indian oil and gas leases. | Nick Douglas Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Phone:970 256-4918 Email: ndouglas@blm.gov | NPRM 06/00/2022 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/2022 Final Action 02/00/2023 | |||
| Wild Horses and Burros - Protection, Management & Control | 1004-AE83 | This proposed rule would update the BLM's regulations to reflect changes to the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in recent decades. These regulations largely have not been updated since 1986. This rule would address wild horse and burro management challenges by adding regulatory tools that better reflect the BLM’s current statutory authorities. | Holle Waddell Acting Division Chief, Division of Wild Horses and Burros Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 760 Horizon Drive, Suite 301, Grand Junction, CA 81505 Phone:202 603-3740 Email: hwaddell@blm.gov | NPRM 12/00/2022 | |||
| Wildfire Prevention | 1004-AE88 | This rule would revise the Bureau of Land Management's fire-trespass and cost recovery regulations. The changes would help prevent wildfires by creating a more effective deterrent to human-caused wildfires and unauthorized burning of public lands and make it easier for the agency to recover damages from wildfires. | Grant Beebe Assistant Director for Fire and Aviation Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 3833 Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705 Phone:208 387-5153 Email: gbeebe@blm.gov | NPRM 11/00/2022 |
Executive Orders
Source: Federal Register
| E.O. # | Subject | Status | Summary | PLF Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13990 | Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis | Signed by the President on January 20, 2021 | Section 2 of the EO requires the BLM and other agencies to review all agency actions, including regulations and policies, promulgated or issued between January 20, 2017 and January 20, 2021, and consider suspending, revising or rescinding the agency action. In addition, the agency shall consider publishing a notice suspending, revising or rescinding a proposed rule for reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. (The CEQ on February 19, 2021 published a Notice in the FR to rescind previous draft guidance issued in June 2019 on the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in NEPA documents. The CEQ is expected to issue revised and updated guidance in the near future.) Section 3 of the EO requires the Secretary to conduct a review within 60 days of the boundary modifications made on December 4, 2017 of the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and provide a report and recommendations to the President. Section 4 of the EO requires the Secretary to place a temporary moratorium on all activities relating to implementation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in Alaska. The Secretary is required to conduct, as appropriate, a new and comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts of the oil and gas program. | The PLF will be closely tracking these actions and providing comments during any public comment period, as appropriate. |
| 14008 | Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad | Signed by the President on January 27, 2021 | Section 207 of the EO requires the Secretary to review renewable energy siting and permitting processes on the public lands and identify steps that can be taken to increase renewable energy production on the public lands. (It should be noted that the Appropriations Act of 2021 set a goal to approve 25 gigawatts of wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects on the public lands by 2025 – a three fold increase in the number of projects currently approved on the public lands.) Section 208 of the EO requires the Secretary to pause new oil and gas leases on the public lands pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices and whether to adjust royalties associated with coal, oil, and gas resources extracted from the public lands or take other appropriate actions to account for corresponding climate costs. (The Western Energy Alliance has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Wyoming challenging the EO as exceeding presidential authority and a violation of the Mineral Leasing Act, NEPA and FLPMA.) Section 211 of the EO requires the BLM and other agencies to prepare a draft Climate Action Plan within 120 days that describes steps the agency can take with regard to its facilities and operations to bolster adaptation and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. Section 215 of the EO requires the Secretary to prepare within 90 days a strategy for creating a Civilian Climate Corps of conservation workers to conserve and restore public lands, increase reforestation, protect biodiversity, and improve access to recreation. Section 216 of the EO requires the Secretary to prepare a report within 90 days on steps that can be taken to achieve a goal of conserving at least 30 percent of our nation’s land and waters by the year 2030. | The PLF will be closely tracking these actions and providing comments during any public comment period, as appropriate. |
| 14052 | Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Signed by the President on November 15, 2021 | Establishes an implementation task force and sets priorities. | The PLF will be closely tracking these actions and providing comments during any public comment period, as appropriate. |
| 14072 | Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies | Signed by the President on April 22, 2022 | This EO directs federal agencies to pursue science-based, sustainable forest and land management; conserve America's mature and old-growth forests on Federal lands; invest in forest health and restoration; support indigenous traditional ecological knowledge and cultural and subsistence practices; honor Tribal treaty rights; and deploy climate-smart forestry practices and other nature-based solutions to improve the resilience of our lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of increasing disturbances and chronic stress arising from climate impacts. | he PLF will be closely tracking these actions and providing comments during any public comment period, as appropriate. |