Texas National Forests Up for Oil Drilling Lease Revamp
Published Date: 4/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA is updating plans to decide which parts of Texas’ National Forests and Grasslands can be leased for oil and gas drilling. This affects local communities, energy companies, and the environment, with decisions expected by summer 2026. People have until April 28, 2026, to share their thoughts, and the project might change how land is managed and used for energy.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
Which Texas Forest Lands May Be Leased
The USDA Forest Service will decide which National Forests and Grasslands in Texas lands (about 500,000 acres where the Forest Service manages the surface and the BLM manages minerals) would be available for future federal oil and gas leasing. The decision will apply only to new federal-mineral leases and the BLM retains discretion whether to include any identified lands in future lease sales.
Potential Impacts to Public Water Supplies
The EIS will analyze impacts on surface and subsurface water quantity and quality, including public water supplies, from oil and gas leasing and activities on NFGT lands. The analysis will consider effects such as erosion, sediment transport, and impacts to public water sources.
More No‑Surface‑Occupancy Areas
The proposed action would convert some Controlled Surface Use (CSU) stipulations to No Surface Occupancy (NSO), decreasing CSU acres from about 73,100 to about 63,100 acres and increasing NSO acres from about 11,100 to about 28,000 acres on NFGT lands. This change alters where surface occupancy and surface-disturbing activities could occur on future new leases.
Site Surveys for Woodpecker Protections
Some NSO and CSU stipulations will require site-specific surveys, including red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) NSO and CSU stipulations that apply in Management Area 2, which includes approximately 226,700 acres of the decision area. Surveys will determine where those stipulations apply for future leasing decisions.
Noise, Traffic, and Recreation Effects Nearby
The analysis will address traffic, noise, light pollution, visual impacts, and impacts on recreationists and recreation opportunities for nearby residents, visitors, and other forest users. These changes could alter the experience and use of National Forest lands near oil and gas activities.
County Royalty Payments Could Change
The EIS will consider impacts on royalty payments to counties associated with any changes in oil and gas leasing on NFGT lands. Changes in which lands are made available for leasing could affect future royalty revenues to counties.
Current Leases and Reserved Rights Unchanged
The EIS and any resulting decision will not affect current valid leasing, including associated terms, conditions, and stipulations, nor will it affect the exercising of reserved and outstanding mineral rights; changes would apply only to new federal-mineral leases.
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