BLM Bumps Up Mineral Fees to Match Inflation Again
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting January 12, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management is raising fees for processing mineral-related permits and documents to keep up with inflation. This affects companies and individuals working with onshore mineral resources, who’ll see slightly higher costs when filing paperwork. These changes happen every year to make sure fees match the real cost of services.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit to Drill processing fee
If you apply for an Application for Permit to Drill (APD), the processing fee is $12,850 as of January 12, 2026. This is a one-time processing cost you must pay when filing an APD under onshore oil and gas operations rules.
Competitive lease application fee
If you submit a competitive lease application for oil and gas, the processing fee is $3,175 starting January 12, 2026. This fee applies to competitive leasing actions listed under the onshore oil & gas parts cited by the BLM.
Mineral patent adjudication fees
If you seek mineral patent adjudication, the processing fee is $4,010 for more than 10 claims and $2,005 for 10 or fewer claims, effective January 12, 2026. These are one-time processing fees tied to adjudicating mineral patents.
Annual inflation-based fee increase
The Bureau of Land Management is adjusting fixed processing fees for onshore mineral program documents based on inflation, effective January 12, 2026. The adjustments follow formulas established in the BLM's 2005 cost recovery rule and occur annually.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09387 — Revision of Regulations for Grazing Administration, Exclusive of Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management is updating rules for grazing on public lands (except Alaska) to better protect land health and improve how appeals are handled. Ranchers and land users will see clearer guidelines and have until July 13, 2026, to share their thoughts. These changes aim to keep lands healthy while making the process fairer and more efficient, with some deadlines for feedback coming up soon.
2026-09386 — Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
The Bureau of Land Management is canceling the 2024 Conservation and Landscape Health Rule to make land use simpler and more balanced. This change helps local leaders make decisions, boosts access to public lands, and cuts red tape that slowed down projects. The new rule takes effect on June 11, 2026, affecting anyone who uses or manages federal lands, with no new costs expected.
2026-10164 — Revisions to Regulations Regarding Oil and Gas Leasing; Fees, Rentals, and Royalties; Correction
The Bureau of Land Management fixed a small but important mistake in new rules about oil and gas royalties that came from a big law passed last year. This correction affects companies that lease public land for oil and gas, making sure royalty payments are clear and fair. The fix kicks in on June 29, 2026, unless people send in serious complaints by May 29.
2026-10020 — Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Production Site Development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management is starting a process to make it easier to build and run oil production sites in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. They’re asking the public to share ideas and concerns by July 6, 2026, to help shape the environmental review. This could speed up permits for companies while making sure nature is protected.
2026-09638 — Application for Withdrawal Extension for Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Colorado
The Army wants to keep using parts of Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon for military training by extending a land withdrawal for 15 more years. This affects public lands in Colorado, stopping mining and leasing there during that time. You’ve got until August 12, 2026, to share your thoughts, and there’s a public meeting on July 13 to learn more and speak up.
2026-09441 — Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of BLM New Mexico Terminated Oil and Gas Lease: TXNM139423
Sea Eagle Ford LLC asked to bring back their oil and gas lease TXNM139423 in McMullen County, Texas, after it was ended. The Bureau of Land Management says yes, as long as they pay new fees: $20 per acre yearly rent and a 20% royalty. This lease will be active again starting November 1, 2021, with updated terms and no new leases on the land.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00385 — Phosphate Fertilizers From the Kingdom of Morocco: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; Notice of Amended Final Results
The U.S. Department of Commerce is updating its decision on taxes and subsidies for phosphate fertilizers from Morocco after a court said the original results didn’t quite match up. This change affects OCP S.A., Morocco’s main fertilizer producer, and adjusts the subsidy rate starting December 26, 2025. Companies importing these fertilizers should watch for new costs or refunds based on the updated rates.
Next: 2026-00387 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Announcement of Board Approval Under Delegated Authority and Submission to OMB
The Federal Reserve Board is updating and extending its job application forms for three more years, starting February 11, 2026. This affects anyone applying to work at the Board, making the hiring process smoother and clearer. No new costs or deadlines for applicants, just a fresh, improved way to apply!