Timeline
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not have its own NEPA regulations, but the agency’s NEPA procedures are established under DOI’s Departmental Manual.
Trump Administration II
May 9, 2025 Fifteen states sued the Trump administration challenging the president’s declaration of an “energy emergency”, arguing the order is unlawful and commands federal agencies to disregard federal environmental and other laws. Interior relied on the emergency to issue its “alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance” on April 23.
April 23, 2025 Interior released “alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance,” outlining a novel process for certain energy projects to circumvent existing environmental review procedures consistent with President Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency. According to Interior, energy projects that identify, lease, produce, refine, or general crude oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and critical minerals can apply for “alternative arrangements” for NEPA compliance. The policy directs Interior agencies to publish a final environmental assessment (EA) or finding of no significant impact (FONSI) within 14 days without seeking public comment, and an environmental impact statement (EIS) within 28 days after a discretionary comment period. The policy was published pursuant to Interior regulations governing NEPA compliance during national emergencies. On May 23, Interior announced it would use these procedures to fast-track the permitting process for the Velvet-Wood uranium mine in Utah and complete the environmental assessment in 14 days (a process that would typically take one year).
Biden Administration
Jan. 17, 2025 BLM proposed to add a new categorical exclusion for geothermal resource exploration operations.
Oct. 24, 2024 BLM updated its NEPA implementing procedures, removing four categorical exclusions and adding two created by Congress under the FRA.
Trump Administration I
Dec. 10, 2020 BLM finalized two categorical exclusions: one for projects under 10,000 acres designed to remove pinyon pine and western juniper trees that threaten sagebrush habitat and another for harvesting of dead or dying trees, on 3,000 acres of BLM land or less.
June 12, 2018 BLM issued Permanent Instruction Memorandum PIM 2018-014 to streamline the NEPA process for applications for directional drilling into federal minerals from non-federal surfaces.
G.W. Bush Administration
Oct. 15, 2008 DOI issued a final rule, effective Nov. 14, 2008, to amend its NEPA implementing regulations.