BLM Removes Caps on Leasing Federal Lands for Solid Minerals
Published Date: 2/19/2026
Rule
Summary
The Bureau of Land Management is officially removing old rules that limited how much land you can lease for solid minerals (not coal or oil shale). This change affects miners and companies leasing land, letting them lease more land without those old limits. The new rule kicks in on March 23, 2026, making it easier and more flexible to lease mineral-rich land without extra fees or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No More Statewide Acreage Cap
The Bureau of Land Management removed the statewide acreage limit that capped how much hardrock (solid) mineral land any one company could hold in a single State by rescinding 43 CFR 3503.37(f). The change takes effect on March 23, 2026 and allows a single entity to hold as many permits and leases in a State as needed, subject to other approvals.
Development-Contract Rules Removed
The BLM rescinded 43 CFR subpart 3517 (Secs. 3517.10–3517.16), which had provided exemptions and procedures tied to the old acreage limit. Effective March 23, 2026, companies no longer need to use development contracts or processing and milling arrangements under subpart 3517 to hold additional hardrock permits and leases.
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: 2026-03266 — Removal of Obsolete References to “Water Carriers”
The FMCSA is cleaning up its rules by removing old mentions of “water carriers” since they don’t really regulate them unless they also run motor carrier operations. This change takes effect on March 23, 2026, and won’t cost anyone extra or change current rules for motor carriers. If anyone wants to challenge this update, they must do so by the same date.
Next: 2026-03284 — Amendment of Class D, Class E2, Class E4 and Class E5 Airspace Over Patuxent River, MD
The FAA is updating the airspace rules around Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland to better cover all flight operations and remove outdated navigation references. These changes affect pilots flying under instrument flight rules and take effect on May 14, 2026. No new fees or costs are involved—just clearer, safer skies!