(WO) — The Independent Petroleum Association of America praised the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, arguing the move will provide greater regulatory certainty for independent oil and natural gas producers operating on federal lands.
Dan Naatz, executive vice president and chief policy officer at IPAA
The rule, commonly referred to as the BLM public lands rule, had elevated conservation as a co-equal use under federal land management policy, a change industry groups argued created uncertainty surrounding leasing, permitting and land access for energy development.
“IPAA welcomes the Trump Administration’s decision to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, which elevated conservation as a co-equal ‘use,’ creating uncertainty around access and risking constraints on current land usage,” said Dan Naatz, IPAA executive vice president and chief policy officer.
Naatz said the rollback restores clarity to the Mineral Leasing Act’s longstanding multiple-use framework and will help independent producers that rely on predictable leasing and permitting processes to support domestic oil and gas development.
The administration had previously announced plans in September 2025 to rescind the rule, a move supported by IPAA and other industry organizations. Earlier that year, the association identified repeal of the regulation as one of its top priorities in a letter sent to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum regarding issues affecting producers operating on federal lands and waters.
IPAA also backed legislation introduced in 2023 by Rep. John Curtis that sought withdrawal of the rule and joined a broader coalition of energy, mining, grazing and business groups in submitting comments opposing the policy during the Biden administration.
The association said it plans to continue working with the administration on federal land management reforms aimed at supporting domestic energy production, energy security and long-term investment certainty for independent operators.
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