Oil and Gas Resources

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Agriculture Forest Service 36 CFR Parts 214, 228, and 261 RIN 0596-AD33 AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: 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. DATES: This rule is effective February 27, 2026. ADDRESSES: Supplementary documents prepared in conjunction with the preparation of this rule, including a regulatory impact analysis and environmental assessment, and the public comments received on the rule are available at www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FS-2020-0007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Salow, Solid Leasable Minerals and Geothermal Resource Specialist, Lands, Minerals and Geol…